Customer Reviews

Cass Timberlane [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is not one of S.Lewis' best stories,however Spencer Tracy, and Lana Turner weave a lovely interlude of romance not really seen in too many movies today. In its simplicity, it moves steadily and sometime predictably but still with innocence and sweetness. I loved it. MD

Melodrama may not be Tracy's cup of tea, but it's definitely Lana's. This film showcases Turner at the peak of her career at MGM. Lingering closeups fill the screen with her luminous beauty. Her character in this film is an outsider who rebels against the strictures of small-town life. Tracy plays her much older husband and the two have a delightful and unexpected screen chemistry. Several scenes demonstrate what made Turner one of MGM's top box office draws--her delight as she models some new clothes in a swank New York shop, a tender scene with Tracy after she is seriously injured in a traffic accident, and her heart-rendering portrayal of grief when she learns that her much-anticipated baby is stillborn. It's a lovely performance from Turner, very fresh and natural and quite different from the cold, reserved characterizations of her later films. An essential purchase for Turner fans.

Lana Turner and Spencer Tracy are wonderful in this film. A very beautiful and romantic couple. Lana is very beautiful and lovely in this film. Spencer is compassionate and a most understanding husband. There are many sad and happy moments. Their baby Emily, is sadly stillborn. Lana who looks for excitement outside her marriage, falls for a guy who lives the high life, but who finds out never really loved her enough, when the love is tested. She turns back to her loving and forgiving husband. It's one of the best movies I've seen with a touching and moving story, that's really real, as it involves two people in love. I highly recommend it. Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner make a lovely screen couple. What is great also is the couple in his film really expresses their feellings and say "I love you."

Romantic stories chronicling the trials and tribulations of a younger woman being romanced by a much older man have often been depicted in movies but rarely as well as in the MGM production of Sinclair Lewis' "Cass Timberlane". The fine book became the source for this wonderful screen drama and starred two of MGM's greatest performers in Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner. Tracy was an old hand by this time in depicting the complexities of the human spirit but Lan Turner, long considered just an MGM glamour girl rose to new heights in her playing of the young, free spirited girl from the wrong side of the tracks who falls in love with a respected and decent Judge who is happy with things the way they always hav ebeen. This meeting of two very different individuals from very different worlds makes the meat of the dramatic story in "Cass Timberlane", and turns this often used theme into a highly compelling piece of storytelling.

"Cass Timberlane" is a drama based on the novel by Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis. The movie version of the novel follows the story of a beautiful and spirited working class girl, Virginia Marshland (winningly played by Lana Turner) who meets and falls in love with a respected judge, Cass Timberlane (earnestly portrayed by Spencer Tracy).

Cass is a widower who first encounters Virginia, aka Ginny, on the witness stand. Ginny is an artist. After her testimony, she inadvertently leaves behind her sketchbook in the courtroom. The sketches include one of Judge Timberlane as an angel clutching a gavel. Someone finds the sketchbook and returns it to the judge. When Ginny sees the judge about recovering her artwork, Cass tells her that he is flattered and amused by her drawing of him. Ginny gives the drawing to Cass, and he takes it home to proudly display on his mantle.

Cass and Ginny next cross paths when Cass is visiting an area of town that he explored as a child. As it happens, Ginny is the pitcher at a nearby baseball game. Cass and Ginny accidentally meet again when a stray ball finds the judge. Ginny persuades Cass to act as umpire in her baseball game. The two hit it off. Courtship and marriage follow.

Ginny is truly in love with her new husband. But she finds that most of his wealthy friends are snobbish and/or corrupt. One of Cass' friends is a handsome single lawyer named Bradd Criley. Bradd has more than a slight interest in Ginny. Zachary Scott portrays Bradd with appropriate amounts of shallowness, charm and a hint of menace.

A tragic event, restlessness in Ginny, and external influences create strain in the Timberlane marriage. Can their union survive?

Sinclair Lewis' realistic depiction of life in upper class suburbia is elegantly condensed by scenarist Donald Ogden Stewart (of "Philadelphia Story" fame). A glamorous all-star ensemble led by Tracy and Turner, the direction by George Sidney, the photography, sets, costumes, and music score are all first rate in the great MGM tradition.

By the way, pet lovers should also like this movie because of an irresistibly adorable tabby cat named Cleo who is part of the cast. Cleo is a natural who manages to upstage larger-than-life legends Tracy and Turner whenever she shares a scene with them. (Yes, the cat is really that good!)

"Cass Timberlane" is an entertaining and satisfying drama which is definitely worth your commitment.

First, in terms of the transfer to DVD...this is a Warner Brothers Archive release...it's great. The picture is clear and crisp, as is the sound.

I remember seeing a couple of interviews with Lana Turner years ago and thinking that my second most beautiful actress wasn't the brightest light bulb in the chandelier. And while that may or may not be true, it's films like this one that reminds me of what a fine actress she was. Spencer Tracy is steady in his starring role here...just what the role of the judge called for. And Zachary Scott (never one of my favorites) played the role of romantic interloper to perfection...just sleazy enough to be believable. If there's a fault to this steady drama, it's that the Turner character doesn't seem as unhappy through the first half of the film as she later professes to be, then breaking up her marriage to Tracy and moving to New York City. But aside from that, it's a really good film with a fine cast of supporting players. Recommended.

i dont understand the mixed reviews on this movie,it is very good,and Lana turner is wonderful as is Spencer Tracy,i really like the movies with the whole 'Wrong side of the tracks' thing.

I was thrilled to locate this movie after reading the novel. I wanted to see how much of it was changed for the screen---quite a bit actually but still a good performance by those famous old stars.

A respectable judge (Spencer Tracy) falls in love with an alluring but humble woman (Lana Turner).

This initial spark will kindle a devoted and absolute passion on him. And after their marriage, she will have a brief affair with one of his closest and intimate friends.

As a modern Cinderella, she becomes aware she doesn't belong to his accustomed social or professional circle. She will be the center of attention of several women who would have desired to take her place.

Given all these factors, we should expect there would be a major development of the dramatic factors around this couple in crisis, but instead, the script has flaws, so the expected chemistry among them and the way the end is made looks forced and even artificial.

We should remark Turner left aside her enraptured beauty and this movie captures in one of her better performances ever made in her career.

Georges Sydney, an acclaimed director of unforgettable musicals, demonstrate he didn't feel comfortable with this genre. He simply didn't fit with this romantic story and I think to myself with a director like David Lean, Elia Kazan or Michael Curtiz for instance, the final outcome would have been much better.

This Film Was Totally Boring, Even With A Big Cast! I Think This Was The Worst Lana Turner Has Ever Done Compared To Marriage Is A Private Affair And Ziegfeld Girl (Judy Helped It To Be More Exciting!)This Is A Film Where A Bunch Of Rude, Nasty Nobodys All Get Their Lives Up-Side Down. To Make A Long Story Short, A Judge Marries A Girl From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks. They Have A Child That Dies Right After She Is Born. Soon After, The Girl Decides She Wants To Move To New York. Soon After That, The Judge Has To Go Back Home For A Case Involved Around The Court-Room Setting. She Stays There With His Best Friend Who She Falls For, But When She Is Out With Him One Time, She Decides To Jump Out Of His Car Where She Almost Dies. This Brings Husband And Wife Together. She Tells The Judge She Wants To Go Home. One Memorable Quote I Remember Said By Lana Turner's Character Virginia "Ginny" Marshland Is " I Didn't Marry A Man, I Married A Country Club!" Still, This Movie Was Boring! So If You See It, You Might See How Sad It Is. Note: This Film Is Based Around A Country Club Setting. I Only Give This Material 1 Star! This Is A Sleep While Watching It Kind Of Film!