While I always enjoy Clark Gable films (heck, I even enjoyed PARNELL!), this one only got worse the second time I watched it. I know this may sound misogynistic, but Clark acted as if he was experiencing a world-class case of PMS throughout most of the film and Lana Turner just seemed pretty stupid due to the poor writing of this script. Clark, inexplicably, plays not just his usual rogue, but a genuinely confusing and back-biting brother--and this, along with his odd behaviors, make him pretty unlikable. That's really bad, as he is supposed to be likable down deep, not a sexist back-stabber whose behaviors seem almost bipolar! And, despite the fact that deep down Clark is a jerk, Lana STILL insists on following him to the ends of the Earth! This woman really needed to be less of a codependent, plus it made absolutely no sense WHY she picked Clark over his handsome and decent brother played by Robert Sterling.
Now if you can ignore the basic stupidity of Clark and Lana in this film, what's left is very good. The character of Clark's brother is both well-acted and written. The integration of pre-war and wartime attitudes of Clark's newspaper is also very interesting and I loved the sparring he did with the editor early in the film--particularly when he stole the old appeasers clothes--that was "pure Gable" all the way. Plus, the entry into the war and the final portion of the film was exceptional and exciting as well--the film REALLY could have used a lot more of this type inspiring action and a lot less than the totally uninspired romance between Gable and Turner. The only odd thing about this, by the way, was Gable and his brother sneaking into China through the swamps wearing suits and ties! That was just dopey.
All in all, a very mixed bag of a film. Worth seeing to Gable fans, but it is far from one of his better films.
Now if you can ignore the basic stupidity of Clark and Lana in this film, what's left is very good. The character of Clark's brother is both well-acted and written. The integration of pre-war and wartime attitudes of Clark's newspaper is also very interesting and I loved the sparring he did with the editor early in the film--particularly when he stole the old appeasers clothes--that was "pure Gable" all the way. Plus, the entry into the war and the final portion of the film was exceptional and exciting as well--the film REALLY could have used a lot more of this type inspiring action and a lot less than the totally uninspired romance between Gable and Turner. The only odd thing about this, by the way, was Gable and his brother sneaking into China through the swamps wearing suits and ties! That was just dopey.
All in all, a very mixed bag of a film. Worth seeing to Gable fans, but it is far from one of his better films.