Stranded

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.

Kay Francis works for Traveler's Aid in San Francisco, helping people get to where they are going to, whether they're mail-order brides from overseas, or girls who think they can't go home with the baby from the dead husband her family disapproved of. George Brent is in charge of building the Golden Gate Bridge. Naturally they fall in love, and he wants her to quit her silly job, which she won't, so bye! Meanwhile protection racketeer Barton MacLane wants $5,000 a month, which Brent says no to. So Maclane gets some of his workers drunk, falling off the construction site to become splatters far below, and blaming Brent.

It's got a provenance that includes Frank Wead. That explains the muscular side of things, with men riveting red-hot rivets, and using an oxy-acetylene torch to light their cigarettes. All very phallic. But most of the time it seems like a Public Service Announcement for Traveler's Aid, which is doing good work even as Brent scoffs, and is still doing good work as I do this. Most of the mysticism is missing from this Frank Borzage movie, but what remains is a well-paced movie, with funny and sad vignettes, and a lynching at the end. Too bad the prowl cars pull up as it begins.

In San Francisco, attractive travelers' aid Kay Francis (as Lynn Palmer) meets superintendent George Brent (as Mack Hale), nine years after he gave her a "first kiss" (she claims she was 15 years old). The two are mutually attracted, although Ms. Frances is dating handsome Donald Woods (as John Wesley) and her new roommate Patricia Ellis (as Velma Tuthill) gives Mr. Brent those "come hither" looks. Brent is overseeing the city's new "Golden Gate Bridge" project, which is threatened by crooked Barton MacLane (as Sharkey) and his gang. The racketeers mean danger for Francis, her new relationship, and the Golden Gate Bridge...

Screenplay writer Delmer Daves' adaptation features a good setting, nicely unfolded by director Frank Borzage and the crew at Warner Bros. We begin with an innocent little girl traveling alone, who offers to share her Hershey's chocolate bar with a Black man and is kissed by another complete stranger. This falsely idealized and glamorized world prevails, but we see interesting contrasts develop and heavier themes explored, involving immigrants and alcohol. The usually glamorized gangsters take a back seat to the parallel concerns of industry and big business represented by Brent, coupled with charity and workers' rights represented by Francis...

The worlds are connected by unemployed young Frankie Darro (as James "Jimmy" Rivers), who probably should have been included in the opening pictorial credits, considering his role. Alas, the film wraps everything up too quickly.

****** Stranded (6/19/35) Frank Borzage ~ Kay Francis, George Brent, Patricia Ellis. Frankie Darro

STRANDED would be more aptly named THE GOLDEN GATE. There is some fascinating footage of the actual construction of the bridge and it adds to the excitement as the drama unfolds. George Brent is solid as the foreman on the construction job -- trying to keep his men in line and up against gangsters who want pay-off for "protection". George meets Kay Francis who plays with her usual self-assurance and grace as a Traveler's Aid worker.

Francis' role focuses on a compassionate look at the assimilation of foreign brides, assisting "lost" elders and children at the train depot. Her role also shows an understanding for the problems of unwed mothers. Francis' has a natural knack for making it all plausible -- she believes in her work and her role and is wonderful to watch. The surprise ending is a real switch from the usual 1930-60's fare as far as male-female roles are concerned.

Lots of great character actors show up: Ann Shoemaker, Robert Barrett, Frankie Darro, Henry O'Neil, Barton MacLane. Borgaze's direction and Delmer Daves pen add some nice comic touches keeping the drama light.

I was told that Frank Borzage could not read,at least at the beginning of his career.That may account for the extraordinary compassion he displays for his characters.A man who did not learn his work at the university,he is one of the greatest American directors of all time,and as far as the twenties and the thirties are concerned ,simply my favorite.I could not mention one of his films I do not like.Some are masterpieces ("Seventh Heaven "Street Angel' "No greater glory"the river" "little man what now?" "the mortal storm " "strange cargo" ),some are just good ,some such as "Stranded".

Lynn is a marvelous woman;we would like to see such characters in today's movies.She works for Travellers Aid ,she dedicates her life to helping stranded people ;she asks nothing in return and she carries on with little victories (the young boy and his father in jail) and big defeats (the old man);a thing that the man who is in love with her cannot understand:a selfish macho,he wants Lynn to be home as soon he is back from work.One realizes how much this female character is modern for 1935:in the melodramas of those years ,woman sacrificed her life when she was denied love ("only yesterday" "imitation of life" ;but Lynn is different ;she does not work for money or to make her way of life.She cares for the others,period.Like the doctor in "green light", the "three comrades" would do .

When the film begins ,Mack (George Brent)is not unlike Velma ,a girl who cannot understand Lynn (Kay Francis),for she only cares about herself.It will take a strike and horrendous events to make him understand Lynn's high-mindedness.