Have always had a thing about wanting to see any film with any actor(s) or actress(es) that strike me as immensely talented and having given at least one great performance that made a big impression on me. Clark Gable is one such actor, likewise with Myrna Loy. Their partnering at its best being legendary. When somebody, actor, actress, director etc does a film or performance that is quite special, it has been enough to make want to see what has not yet been seen of their work (so completest sake somewhat).
Certainly, that was the case with Gable for me recently. By all means, 'Men in White' is not one of Gable's best films or one of his best performances. The same applies with Loy. Then again considering that both did a lot of fine work (films and performances) in their careers together and especially individually that is quite a big ask. Have not seen enough of director Richard Boleslawski's work, the film of his most familiar to me being the very good 1935 'Les Miserables' with Fredric March and Charles Laughton and my first of his being the entertaining 1935 'Metropolitan' starring the great American baritone Lawrence Tibbett, this and those films being enough to make me want to see more of his work.
The best things about 'Men in White' are the photography and the acting. The photography is very atmospheric and really quite exquisite, managing to enhance the production design and doing a rare feat of making austere look beautiful. Boleslawski's direction keeps the momentum moving along, does a more than credible job balancing everything and gets the best out of his actors. The script is not perfect but is mostly intelligent and well-intentioned, with poignancy and some welcome levity here and there that didn't feel too misplaced. The story moves along nicely generally and did bring a lump to the throat, it opened up just about enough to not betray its play origins.
Gable is in a softer role compared to the usual ones he played, which is quite a big interest point here, and comes over as quite charming and sympathetic. Loy brings a lot of heart and steel to her role, which is not one of her most relatable ones. My favourite performance came from Elizabeth Allan though, she really moved me and her chemistry with Gable was touching.
'Men in White' is not without its debits though. It does veer too much into overdone melodrama at times, especially in the latter stages of the Gable and Allan subplot. While its good intentions are noted and laudable, it can also feel a bit preachy.
In a way that felt shoehorned in with not much regard as to whether it would have gelled with everything else (it doesn't and dates the film a little). Otto Kruger for my liking over-compensates in an atypical role, a far cry from the deceptively charming but nasty roles he specialised and instead quite the opposite and it didn't really suit him.
Summing up, interesting and well done on the whole. 7/10
Certainly, that was the case with Gable for me recently. By all means, 'Men in White' is not one of Gable's best films or one of his best performances. The same applies with Loy. Then again considering that both did a lot of fine work (films and performances) in their careers together and especially individually that is quite a big ask. Have not seen enough of director Richard Boleslawski's work, the film of his most familiar to me being the very good 1935 'Les Miserables' with Fredric March and Charles Laughton and my first of his being the entertaining 1935 'Metropolitan' starring the great American baritone Lawrence Tibbett, this and those films being enough to make me want to see more of his work.
The best things about 'Men in White' are the photography and the acting. The photography is very atmospheric and really quite exquisite, managing to enhance the production design and doing a rare feat of making austere look beautiful. Boleslawski's direction keeps the momentum moving along, does a more than credible job balancing everything and gets the best out of his actors. The script is not perfect but is mostly intelligent and well-intentioned, with poignancy and some welcome levity here and there that didn't feel too misplaced. The story moves along nicely generally and did bring a lump to the throat, it opened up just about enough to not betray its play origins.
Gable is in a softer role compared to the usual ones he played, which is quite a big interest point here, and comes over as quite charming and sympathetic. Loy brings a lot of heart and steel to her role, which is not one of her most relatable ones. My favourite performance came from Elizabeth Allan though, she really moved me and her chemistry with Gable was touching.
'Men in White' is not without its debits though. It does veer too much into overdone melodrama at times, especially in the latter stages of the Gable and Allan subplot. While its good intentions are noted and laudable, it can also feel a bit preachy.
In a way that felt shoehorned in with not much regard as to whether it would have gelled with everything else (it doesn't and dates the film a little). Otto Kruger for my liking over-compensates in an atypical role, a far cry from the deceptively charming but nasty roles he specialised and instead quite the opposite and it didn't really suit him.
Summing up, interesting and well done on the whole. 7/10