21 reviews
- vincentlynch-moonoi
- Dec 15, 2011
- Permalink
From 1932, Silver Dollar stars Edward G. Robinson, Aline McMahon, and Bebe Daniels.
This film is based on the life of silver magnate Horace Tabor, whose life is the subject of an opera, The Ballad of Baby Doe. Baby Doe was a signature role for Beverly Sills.
It's a rag to riches to rags story, of a man named Yates Martin and his wife Sarah, who left their farm to come to Colorado to search for gold. Sarah encourages Yates to open a store rather than continue what she thinks is a fruitless hunt, so he does. To her disgust, he makes deals with the miners that he will give them free goods if they will sign over one-third of whatever they find. Of course, Sarah expects them to find nothing. She's wrong.
Yates over time becomes terribly rich, successful politically, and too big for his britches. He falls in love with the beautiful Lily Owens and leaves Sarah, settling the house and $250,000 on her. Then the Panic of 1893 occurred, and silver was devalued to almost nothing.
This was a wonderful role for Edward G. Robinson, a little man with a huge talent. He does a fantastic job. Aline McMahon is fantastic as Sarah, and she is indeed like the real Augusta Tabor, at least as I've seen her portrayed. In the film, Sarah wants to help Yates, but he refuses.
Augusta Tabor in real life invested her money and died one of the wealthiest people in Denver. In the opera anyway she is bitter and angry, and even when she wants to go to her ex-husband, she can't.
Bebe Daniels glitters as Yates' mistress and second wife, Lily. Like the Tabor situation, this was a true love match, and she stayed by her husband.
The real Horace did hold the postmaster position for a year before he died, unlike in the film. Horace's final wish was that Baby Doe never give up the Matchless Mine. She never did; in fact, that's where she died, in a nearby shack.
The script is somewhat spotty -- this strong story could have used better writing. It's a real piece of Americana.
This film is based on the life of silver magnate Horace Tabor, whose life is the subject of an opera, The Ballad of Baby Doe. Baby Doe was a signature role for Beverly Sills.
It's a rag to riches to rags story, of a man named Yates Martin and his wife Sarah, who left their farm to come to Colorado to search for gold. Sarah encourages Yates to open a store rather than continue what she thinks is a fruitless hunt, so he does. To her disgust, he makes deals with the miners that he will give them free goods if they will sign over one-third of whatever they find. Of course, Sarah expects them to find nothing. She's wrong.
Yates over time becomes terribly rich, successful politically, and too big for his britches. He falls in love with the beautiful Lily Owens and leaves Sarah, settling the house and $250,000 on her. Then the Panic of 1893 occurred, and silver was devalued to almost nothing.
This was a wonderful role for Edward G. Robinson, a little man with a huge talent. He does a fantastic job. Aline McMahon is fantastic as Sarah, and she is indeed like the real Augusta Tabor, at least as I've seen her portrayed. In the film, Sarah wants to help Yates, but he refuses.
Augusta Tabor in real life invested her money and died one of the wealthiest people in Denver. In the opera anyway she is bitter and angry, and even when she wants to go to her ex-husband, she can't.
Bebe Daniels glitters as Yates' mistress and second wife, Lily. Like the Tabor situation, this was a true love match, and she stayed by her husband.
The real Horace did hold the postmaster position for a year before he died, unlike in the film. Horace's final wish was that Baby Doe never give up the Matchless Mine. She never did; in fact, that's where she died, in a nearby shack.
The script is somewhat spotty -- this strong story could have used better writing. It's a real piece of Americana.
Based on the life of 19th century politician Horace Tabor. Here named Yates Martin (Edward G. Robinson), he's a gold prospector who travels to the Colorado frontier with wife Aline MacMahon. He eventually becomes a rich merchant and a prime beneficiary of the Colorado silver boom, which makes him even wealthier. He uses his money to enter politics, growing ever more ambitious. However, his decision to divorce his wife for entertainer Bebe Daniels marks the beginning of his downfall.
Robinson made a number of films with this basic plot: a man starting out with nothing achieves great success through force of will, only to have his love of the wrong woman lead to his undoing. His nouveau riche tastes are also frequently a source of amusement, as they are here with his desire to build a high-class opera house, but insisting on all of the inscriptions being in "American". Robinson is good, as is MacMahon (although she's not given much to do here), but the whole thing is just a bit too routine. This does feature one of the few cinematic depictions of President Chester Arthur, though, so there's that.
Robinson made a number of films with this basic plot: a man starting out with nothing achieves great success through force of will, only to have his love of the wrong woman lead to his undoing. His nouveau riche tastes are also frequently a source of amusement, as they are here with his desire to build a high-class opera house, but insisting on all of the inscriptions being in "American". Robinson is good, as is MacMahon (although she's not given much to do here), but the whole thing is just a bit too routine. This does feature one of the few cinematic depictions of President Chester Arthur, though, so there's that.
Rousing story of rags to riches based on fact. Robinson pulls out all the stops as a lowly Colorado merchant who maneuvers his way into fame and fortune. He may not be physically big, but there's enough personality there to light up a stadium. Between ace production values, rapid-fire pacing, and Robinson pizazz, it's like being carried along by a roaring steam engine. It's entertaining to accompany Yates (Robinson) on his rise to wealth and national prominence, especially since he never loses his down-home ways. Interestingly, the movie's based on real life story of silver king HAW Tabor, who remains a Colorado legend to this day (I'm from there). Oddly, there're no scenes of mountains or Colorado, but credit the production for more than compensating.
Good to see Aline MacMahon get a sympathetic role as Yates' first wife and helpmate. Usually consigned to spinsterish or sinister roles, she's young here and almost pretty. Bebe Daniels, however, gets the glamor part as Yates' mistress then second wife. The movie amounts to something of a morality tale. Of course, the higher Yates climbs on the economic-social ladder the farther he has to fall. Trouble is he thinks millions from silver mining will overcome any obstacle. In short, money takes care of everything. But then, he's forgotten about the vagaries of the market, which can be an undoing. My one complaint is a rather spotty screenplay. Beneath the rapid pacing, important transitions are generally skipped over (e.g. the divorce), while there's little tracking of characters aside of Yates. Nonetheless, the results are generally impressive and definitely deserve a look-see, especially for Robinson's bravura performance.
Good to see Aline MacMahon get a sympathetic role as Yates' first wife and helpmate. Usually consigned to spinsterish or sinister roles, she's young here and almost pretty. Bebe Daniels, however, gets the glamor part as Yates' mistress then second wife. The movie amounts to something of a morality tale. Of course, the higher Yates climbs on the economic-social ladder the farther he has to fall. Trouble is he thinks millions from silver mining will overcome any obstacle. In short, money takes care of everything. But then, he's forgotten about the vagaries of the market, which can be an undoing. My one complaint is a rather spotty screenplay. Beneath the rapid pacing, important transitions are generally skipped over (e.g. the divorce), while there's little tracking of characters aside of Yates. Nonetheless, the results are generally impressive and definitely deserve a look-see, especially for Robinson's bravura performance.
- dougdoepke
- Sep 19, 2014
- Permalink
- nickenchuggets
- Mar 8, 2024
- Permalink
- audiemurph
- Jan 20, 2012
- Permalink
One of the few westerns that is in the catalog of Edward G. Robinson films is this one Silver Dollar. In it Robinson plays the legendary Horace A.W. Tabor of the Colorado Tabors who if you believed this version lucked into a vast fortune. I can't believe the real Tabor didn't have some kind of shrewdness in his makeup.
In the film Robinson's character is named Yates Martin and he's a big hearted big spender type who drives his wife Aline McMahon to distraction with his generous ways. She convinces him that he ought to open a general store, but he grubstakes miners for a return of a share. It pays off beyond anyone's wildest dreams when in played out gold fields rich deposits of silver are found rivaling those of Nevada's Virginia City. In no time he's Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and briefly a U.S. Senator.
He also gets himself a trophy wife in Bebe Daniels after Robinson tires of McMahon's hectoring ways. It's quite true that Robinson owed his fortune to pure luck. But prospecting and grubstaking prospectors is a matter of a lot of luck.
Here and in real life the story was a scandal of the Victorian Age as divorce was something not done in polite society. Today these people would make great fodder for the scandal sheets and Daniels would be the Victorian Age's Anna Nicole Smith.
Robinson is as expansive as he ever has been playing a modern crime boss either seriously or for laughs. He always had a knack for playing characters who liked to live it up when they were in the chips starting with his career role of Little Caesar.
As for McMahon she treads a thin line in her performance. You feel sorry for her when she gets flung out. But at the same time you can understand in more ways than carnal why Robinson did it.
Silver Dollar is a film I wish was shown more. It's Edward G. Robinson in an unusual, but at the same time familiar part.
In the film Robinson's character is named Yates Martin and he's a big hearted big spender type who drives his wife Aline McMahon to distraction with his generous ways. She convinces him that he ought to open a general store, but he grubstakes miners for a return of a share. It pays off beyond anyone's wildest dreams when in played out gold fields rich deposits of silver are found rivaling those of Nevada's Virginia City. In no time he's Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and briefly a U.S. Senator.
He also gets himself a trophy wife in Bebe Daniels after Robinson tires of McMahon's hectoring ways. It's quite true that Robinson owed his fortune to pure luck. But prospecting and grubstaking prospectors is a matter of a lot of luck.
Here and in real life the story was a scandal of the Victorian Age as divorce was something not done in polite society. Today these people would make great fodder for the scandal sheets and Daniels would be the Victorian Age's Anna Nicole Smith.
Robinson is as expansive as he ever has been playing a modern crime boss either seriously or for laughs. He always had a knack for playing characters who liked to live it up when they were in the chips starting with his career role of Little Caesar.
As for McMahon she treads a thin line in her performance. You feel sorry for her when she gets flung out. But at the same time you can understand in more ways than carnal why Robinson did it.
Silver Dollar is a film I wish was shown more. It's Edward G. Robinson in an unusual, but at the same time familiar part.
- bkoganbing
- Nov 15, 2015
- Permalink
"Silver Dollar" seemed so close to a biopic I had to look it up to see if Yates Martin (played by Edward G. Robinson) was a real person. It turns out that "Silver Dollar" was based upon the life of H. A. W. Tabor, known to his Colorado associates as Haw Tabor.
Yates Martin was a foolish man who lucked into money in "Silver Dollar." He spent money wantonly in order to be popular, much to the chagrin of his smarter, more fiscally conservative wife, Sarah Martin (Aline MacMahon). Yates was so greedy for wealth and attention that it made him a sucker. He chased one mine after another based upon the spurious words of random prospectors. It was Sarah who convinced him to open a store to cater to the prospectors as opposed to him chasing mines himself, but he couldn't even do that right. He was extending credit to EVERYONE, which made him well-liked, but broke. There was one pair of prospectors whom he waived their tab entirely in exchange for a third of what they mined. It was a dumb deal that just so happened to pan out.
Yates went on chasing wealth and fame until he chased another dame named Lily Owens (Bebe Daniels). Truthfully, she was pursuing him and she knew just what to say to get him. She stroked his ego so expertly that he left his wife and married Lily. It was just one more moronic move of the many he'd made, but don't let anyone tell you that every rich person is smart. Even idiots make money sometimes.
As much as I like Edward G. Robinson, I hated his character. He was such a clout chaser that I couldn't respect him. Then, when he left his very good and faithful wife for a shinier object who found him on the mountain top after Sarah made the climb with him, I really disliked him. Having said that, because the movie so mirrored what can be found on historycolorado,org, I can't be too mad. They faithfully followed the available information on H. A. W. Tabor, too bad he wasn't more likable.
Free on Odnoklassniki.
Yates Martin was a foolish man who lucked into money in "Silver Dollar." He spent money wantonly in order to be popular, much to the chagrin of his smarter, more fiscally conservative wife, Sarah Martin (Aline MacMahon). Yates was so greedy for wealth and attention that it made him a sucker. He chased one mine after another based upon the spurious words of random prospectors. It was Sarah who convinced him to open a store to cater to the prospectors as opposed to him chasing mines himself, but he couldn't even do that right. He was extending credit to EVERYONE, which made him well-liked, but broke. There was one pair of prospectors whom he waived their tab entirely in exchange for a third of what they mined. It was a dumb deal that just so happened to pan out.
Yates went on chasing wealth and fame until he chased another dame named Lily Owens (Bebe Daniels). Truthfully, she was pursuing him and she knew just what to say to get him. She stroked his ego so expertly that he left his wife and married Lily. It was just one more moronic move of the many he'd made, but don't let anyone tell you that every rich person is smart. Even idiots make money sometimes.
As much as I like Edward G. Robinson, I hated his character. He was such a clout chaser that I couldn't respect him. Then, when he left his very good and faithful wife for a shinier object who found him on the mountain top after Sarah made the climb with him, I really disliked him. Having said that, because the movie so mirrored what can be found on historycolorado,org, I can't be too mad. They faithfully followed the available information on H. A. W. Tabor, too bad he wasn't more likable.
Free on Odnoklassniki.
- view_and_review
- Jun 24, 2024
- Permalink
The plot here, while basic in it's elements is generally weak. It mulls over important details, most characters are little more than furniture, and by all rights, it should be a lousy B move.
But Edward G. Robinson and his near unmatched talent as an actor, and his relentless effort to turn in amazing performances no matter the movie, holds this film together, making it watchable, and acceptable.
Edward G. Robinson truly holds the ability to turn Chicken Crap into Silver and Gold
But Edward G. Robinson and his near unmatched talent as an actor, and his relentless effort to turn in amazing performances no matter the movie, holds this film together, making it watchable, and acceptable.
Edward G. Robinson truly holds the ability to turn Chicken Crap into Silver and Gold
- sixshooter500
- Apr 25, 2020
- Permalink
"Silver Dollar" is a thinly veiled retelling of the life of the flamboyant politician and self-proclaimed big-shot, Horace Tabor. Why they changed the character's name to Yates Martin (Edward G. Robinson) is beyond me--perhaps it was to avoid having to pay Tabor's estate to use his name.
When the film begins, it's early in the history of Colorado territory and lots of folks have some in search of gold. However, Yates' nagging wife, Sarah (Aline MacMahon) pushes him to stop wasting his time prospecting and go into business. At first, it's very tough going but eventually, Yates is able to strike it rich. However, instead of banking his money, Yates is intent on becoming a big-shot--and if it means spreading his money about to buy friends and influence, then that's what he's going to do. For some time, this strategy works well and Yates rises through the ranks of politics. Unfortunately, he has two things going against him--he has a mistress and he is bound to eventually get his comeuppance, as he's reckless and foolhardy.
The film has a very serious flaw--you don't like or care about the characters. Yates is a blow-hard and adulterer. His wife is a nagging harpy. And, the mistress has the personality of a block of wood. All in all, despite an interesting performance by Robinson, the film fails to engage the audience.
When the film begins, it's early in the history of Colorado territory and lots of folks have some in search of gold. However, Yates' nagging wife, Sarah (Aline MacMahon) pushes him to stop wasting his time prospecting and go into business. At first, it's very tough going but eventually, Yates is able to strike it rich. However, instead of banking his money, Yates is intent on becoming a big-shot--and if it means spreading his money about to buy friends and influence, then that's what he's going to do. For some time, this strategy works well and Yates rises through the ranks of politics. Unfortunately, he has two things going against him--he has a mistress and he is bound to eventually get his comeuppance, as he's reckless and foolhardy.
The film has a very serious flaw--you don't like or care about the characters. Yates is a blow-hard and adulterer. His wife is a nagging harpy. And, the mistress has the personality of a block of wood. All in all, despite an interesting performance by Robinson, the film fails to engage the audience.
- planktonrules
- Sep 8, 2014
- Permalink
A great, lively American story that happens to be true. The same source material was used, with somewhat more accuracy, in the 1950s American opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe." (The Baby Doe of the title was still alive when the movie was made, hence the need to change all the names and fictionalize some of the details.) Robinson is excellent as a likeable, but foolish and blustering, millionaire miner with political ambitions; MacMahon is flawless as his stern but understanding wife. Their story, of how he made and lost a name and a fortune for himself, is the stuff of fine melodrama. What happens to them says much about the vagaries of capitalism, the arbitrariness of the metals standard, and the pettiness of American moral attitudes, but most of all it's good entertainment. Alfred E. Green's direction is nothing fancy, just capable and fast. And the size of the production is just right. Historical note: The real Baby Doe (Lily in the movie) stuck by her man and held onto the Matchless Mine, as per his instructions. She became a legendary eccentric in Leadville, walking the streets and telling her story to anyone who would listen, before freezing to death in her cabin in 1935.
'Silver Dollar' is based on a true story, and the character of Yates Martin (Edward G. Robinson) represents Horace Tabor, a giant in 19th century Colorado silver mining. The plot, that Martin/Tabor went from storekeeper to millionaire, divorced his wife of 25 years for a younger woman, and went bust when the country was put on the gold standard, is essentially true. However, it doesn't ring true, mainly because Robinson is so exaggerated in his depiction. He's simply too full of hubris, constantly expressing optimism and his grandiose plans to spend or give away money. It's meant to be endearing, but he seems more like a caricature of what Americans want to be, and in any event, true or false, I certainly didn't empathize with him when the bottom of the silver market dropped out. Bebe Daniels was the best part of the film, playing the "other woman", the real life "Baby Doe" Tabor, and it was interesting to see there is even a slight resemblance. The ending she and Tabor faced is certainly not accurately depicted though. Overall, there is a little bit of history lesson here, but it's not all that enjoyable to watch.
- gbill-74877
- Mar 29, 2018
- Permalink
Silver Dollar (1932)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Based on the life of Horace 'Silver King' Tabor with only the names changed. Edward G. Robinson plays Yates Martin, a poor man from Kansas who moves to Colorado with his wife (Aline MacMahon) and soon finds himself a millionaire when silver is found in his mine. He soon enters politics and starts to rake in all sorts of cash and this is when he meets a showgirl (Bebe Daniels) and soon everything changes. I'm guessing Warner didn't want to pay any fees so they decided to change up all the names but no matter what they changed or kept the same, to call this film a disappointment wouldn't be an understatement. The movie starts off pretty good but around the twenty-minute mark you already know where the story is headed and there's really no connection to any of the characters. This almost seems like a greatest hits package instead of one complete story. We see the poor Martin, then the popular Martin, the rich Martin, the powerful Martin, the broke Martin and the pitiful Martin. There's never any real connection that you get because it just seems like he's a one dimensional character without any meat on his bones. Throughout the film I kept waiting to get to know the character and that simply never happens. We never get to know the wife, the mistress, the kid or anyone else and in fact there's a daughter who makes an important part of the film only to disappear without a word after that. The film takes a pretty big story and one that could have turned into an epic and does very little with it. The one saving grace are the performances with Robinson turning in another great job. I'm always surprised to see how terrific an actor Robinson was and it's a shame he's never really gotten the credit he deserves. Daniels is also very seductive in her part and MacMahon nearly steals the film as the caring, first wife. SILVER DOLLAR is worth watching for fans of the cast but there's no denying that a new script was needed.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Based on the life of Horace 'Silver King' Tabor with only the names changed. Edward G. Robinson plays Yates Martin, a poor man from Kansas who moves to Colorado with his wife (Aline MacMahon) and soon finds himself a millionaire when silver is found in his mine. He soon enters politics and starts to rake in all sorts of cash and this is when he meets a showgirl (Bebe Daniels) and soon everything changes. I'm guessing Warner didn't want to pay any fees so they decided to change up all the names but no matter what they changed or kept the same, to call this film a disappointment wouldn't be an understatement. The movie starts off pretty good but around the twenty-minute mark you already know where the story is headed and there's really no connection to any of the characters. This almost seems like a greatest hits package instead of one complete story. We see the poor Martin, then the popular Martin, the rich Martin, the powerful Martin, the broke Martin and the pitiful Martin. There's never any real connection that you get because it just seems like he's a one dimensional character without any meat on his bones. Throughout the film I kept waiting to get to know the character and that simply never happens. We never get to know the wife, the mistress, the kid or anyone else and in fact there's a daughter who makes an important part of the film only to disappear without a word after that. The film takes a pretty big story and one that could have turned into an epic and does very little with it. The one saving grace are the performances with Robinson turning in another great job. I'm always surprised to see how terrific an actor Robinson was and it's a shame he's never really gotten the credit he deserves. Daniels is also very seductive in her part and MacMahon nearly steals the film as the caring, first wife. SILVER DOLLAR is worth watching for fans of the cast but there's no denying that a new script was needed.
- Michael_Elliott
- Dec 28, 2011
- Permalink
- mark.waltz
- Mar 20, 2020
- Permalink
Smooth,quite engrossing biopic of Horace Tabor, an important figure in the early economic and polirical development of Colorado. EGR plays the kind of character he does so very, very well -- an ambitious go-getter bursting with self-confidence. Sort of like a legal Little Caesar. He makes the film very watchable.
In the dated but epic storyline of Silver Dollar, Edward G. Robinson has so much ambition it becomes his tragic flaw. He's a poor shop owner with his hardworking wife Aline MacMahon and their baby son. They've moved from town to town whenever his ambition has gotten the better of him; one night he's been elected mayor, and the next morning everyone hates him because he owes them money. By chance, one of his hunches turns out right: He agrees to let some panhandlers renege on their grocery bill if he gets signed on as a partner if they strike the motherload. Aline is totally against it, but the men find silver and they're all rich. Once again, Eddie G is elected mayor, and he's determined to rise from there.
This rags-to-riches story is a classic cautionary tale of forgetting what's important once you have achieved what you thought was important. Eddie G prioritizes money above all else, and it changes him. He ignores his wife, doesn't have an influence in raising his son, and thinks belonging to high society is the most important thing. Of course, he values lousy people, gets corrupt inside, and even believes he's entitled to an extramarital affair. I would never condone infidelity, but if the movie was supposed to portray it as something bad, it didn't do its job. Aline doesn't act like she loves her husband, or even likes him. She never supports him, and neither make each other happy in the slightest. When Eddie G finds Bebe Daniels, he gains a new lease on life. She likes, loves, and supports him - and when he's with her, he feels intense happiness. "I love to do things for you. You enjoy it so," he drawls in their courtship phase, before giving her decolletage a lengthy glance. Bebe isn't portrayed to be a gold digger or homewrecker, but instead merely a loving alternative to the unfulfilling life he's lived so far.
I've tried to give Aline MacMahon quite a few chances, but I've never liked her style of acting. In this drama, I thought she'd finally impress me, since she was younger and finally in a meaty role. However, as Eddie G's long-suffering wife, she was melodramatic at best and lousy at worst. I'd expect better from community theater. When she and her husband have a particularly hurtful fight, she stares at him deadpan, then suddenly raises her hands to her head and screams. Had Ann Harding, Beulah Bondi, or a frumped-up Gladys George been cast in the role instead, Silver Dollar would have been a very good drama. Eddie G's talent and devotion to the role is almost enough to make us forget about Aline, but not quite. With a different actress, it could have been an A-picture listed among his best. Definitely check it out this tragedy if you're an Eddie G fan; just don't expect much from its leading lady.
This rags-to-riches story is a classic cautionary tale of forgetting what's important once you have achieved what you thought was important. Eddie G prioritizes money above all else, and it changes him. He ignores his wife, doesn't have an influence in raising his son, and thinks belonging to high society is the most important thing. Of course, he values lousy people, gets corrupt inside, and even believes he's entitled to an extramarital affair. I would never condone infidelity, but if the movie was supposed to portray it as something bad, it didn't do its job. Aline doesn't act like she loves her husband, or even likes him. She never supports him, and neither make each other happy in the slightest. When Eddie G finds Bebe Daniels, he gains a new lease on life. She likes, loves, and supports him - and when he's with her, he feels intense happiness. "I love to do things for you. You enjoy it so," he drawls in their courtship phase, before giving her decolletage a lengthy glance. Bebe isn't portrayed to be a gold digger or homewrecker, but instead merely a loving alternative to the unfulfilling life he's lived so far.
I've tried to give Aline MacMahon quite a few chances, but I've never liked her style of acting. In this drama, I thought she'd finally impress me, since she was younger and finally in a meaty role. However, as Eddie G's long-suffering wife, she was melodramatic at best and lousy at worst. I'd expect better from community theater. When she and her husband have a particularly hurtful fight, she stares at him deadpan, then suddenly raises her hands to her head and screams. Had Ann Harding, Beulah Bondi, or a frumped-up Gladys George been cast in the role instead, Silver Dollar would have been a very good drama. Eddie G's talent and devotion to the role is almost enough to make us forget about Aline, but not quite. With a different actress, it could have been an A-picture listed among his best. Definitely check it out this tragedy if you're an Eddie G fan; just don't expect much from its leading lady.
- HotToastyRag
- Jan 30, 2024
- Permalink
Kansas farmer Yates Martin (Edward G. Robinson) spends his money on salted claims in Colorado. He struggles with his general store as he often gives the miners easy terms. He gives away supplies for a third of an unproven mine. As he runs out of supplies and sets to return to Kansas, he strikes it rich on the claim, not with gold but silver. His wife is always unhappy with his easy spending but he keeps getting lucky. He is recruited into politics and rises to be the governor. He takes Lily Owens as his mistress and befriends General Ulysses S. Grant. He continues to rise until it all comes crashing down.
This is a biopic of Horace Tabor renamed as Yates Martin here. His life unfolding is a little rushed at times. Certainly, there is a lot to get through. All in all, Edward G. Robinson is the driving force and delivers a solid character study. If the wife nags a bit less, this could be an interesting relationship movie with the couple. She's somewhat a stereotype. I would have liked a more fully formed character. Their relationship is one note for most of the movie. Overall, it's a solid standard biopic.
This is a biopic of Horace Tabor renamed as Yates Martin here. His life unfolding is a little rushed at times. Certainly, there is a lot to get through. All in all, Edward G. Robinson is the driving force and delivers a solid character study. If the wife nags a bit less, this could be an interesting relationship movie with the couple. She's somewhat a stereotype. I would have liked a more fully formed character. Their relationship is one note for most of the movie. Overall, it's a solid standard biopic.
- SnoopyStyle
- May 29, 2020
- Permalink
So-so biopic of Horace Tabor, with the name changed to Yates Martin. Presumably this is to avoid a lawsuit but it makes one wonder why that didn't seem to affect many other biopics made back in the day. Perhaps it's because Tabor isn't portrayed in the most flattering light. Edward G. Robinson does a fine job playing the "little man who badly wants to be a big shot." He rises from merchant to silver miner to politician, leaving wife Aline MacMahon for mistress Bebe Daniels along the way. The film depends entirely on Robinson to carry it. The story is pretty predictable and by-the-numbers, regardless of its basis on real people. The problem is that the movie is lacking in a point or particularly interesting characters to distinguish it from a hundred other similar movies you've seen. Robinson fans will enjoy it more than most, and it's certainly watchable, but I can't recommend it to everybody else as it's ultimately forgettable.
- JohnHowardReid
- Apr 15, 2018
- Permalink