Well, now I've seen everything! Here's a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie in which that arch-conservative studio has tackled the socially conscious platform that often animated Warner Brothers and occasionally 20th Century Fox. But naturally, being Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, the studio has attempted – and even brilliantly succeeded – to go ten or twelve steps better that its rivals with a name cast that is at least three or four times as large, sets that would dwarf the Empire State Building and rousing action sequences that make Warner Brothers look like pikers. And leading the acting charge here is – would you believe? – teary- eyed Luise Rainer and Boys Town's Spencer Tracy? But they are both great! In fact, all the players in the vast cast deliver well and even many of the minor actors have some great moments in front of the camera. Full marks to director Frank Borzage, writers Dore Schary, Hugo Butler and Norman Krasna, and especially to art director Stan Rogers and set decorator Edwin B. Willis. The unnamed second unit director also deserves a pat on the back – but maybe there was no second unit. Maybe Borzage directed the lot? Full marks also to Joseph Ruttenberg for his superb camera-work. Available on a superb Warner Brothers DVD.
Review of Big City
