San Francisco

"This movie was a bit of a surprise to me. I don't recall ever watching it before but I found the movie on DVD at a thrift store. When I put the DVD in to watch my hubby had had enough of old Black and white movies and decided to go out of the house for a bit. As my hubby was leaving he said " Let me guess; the guy ends up with the girl." I hartily agreed with him but I do like those types of movies so I was excited to see how it was written. This movie was kinda different. The girl was very torn between the guy and a different kind of life. The girl was the country daughter of a priest or clergyman and had opinions and feelings towards a religious life. She was a talented opera singer that needed a job and had nothing when she found the guy asking for a job. The guy was an atheist who ran illegal bar with an entertainment stage but was actively interested in improving the conditions of citizens in the city by running for office and helping fire fighters while they were fighting fires. He had a friend who was a priest played by Spencer Tracy. It was an interesting dynamic. It was confusing to me if he loved her or if he just wanted to own her and use her to benefit himself. He certainly didn't want the kind of life she wanted. It was interesting to watch them and their twisty relationship. The whole movie takes place in San Francisco in about 1905-1906. The near ending has the earthquake of 1906 happen. My hubby and I were impressed by the special effects of the earthquake. It was really well done. A lot of people are portrayed dying in the earthquake and it was such an intriguing ending to a classic black and white movie. I really enjoyed this movie. "