Dodsworth (1936)

My Review

“Dodsworth” is a drama film about an America married couple who retire and take an extended tour of Europe. They find they are incompatible and are unhappy in their marriage. The drama takes a downward turn from there, fairly well directed by William Wyler (“Jezebel” 1938) from a passable screenplay by Sidney Howard. It was adapted from the 1929 novel of the same name by Sinclair Lewis.

The cast includes Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton as the happy couple, Mary Astor, David Niven, Spring Byington, Paul Lukas, Maria Ouspenskaya, and John Payne. The unwatchable downer movie “Dodsworth” performed poorly at the box office for producer Samuel Goldwyn and United Artists. It was filmed in New York City and Los Angeles.

“Dodsworth” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one for Best Art Direction. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Huston), Best Supporting Actress (Ouspenskaya), Best Screenplay, and Best Sound)