Bureau des épaves

This is a strong drama about two people of unswerving principles. George Brent plays Mack Hale, an engineer tasked with building the Golden Gate Bridge. Kay Francis plays Lynn Palmer, a woman sensitive to the emotional needs of others. When they meet, sparks fly, but they soon realize they cannot compromise their values for a relationship, and theygo their own ways. Besides, he really does not value her work.

Mack is faced with dire problems. There are those who would like him to fail, no matter the collateral damage. He has to fight crime while taking on the dangerous project.

The film has a clever theme and the writing is dynamic and thoughtful. I looked to see if Ayn Rand had a hand in the script (she didn't), because the story feels like something she might write, and its uses some themes common to her novels: the value of good workers, the value of doing good work, a principled approach to life, and the mob versus the individual.

Since the Golden Gate was built between 1933 and 1937, stock footage augments the narrative, providing authenticity. Safety really was an issue during construction, and the film uses that real concern to magnify the drama.