I love this movie. I'm sorry I didn't detect the same level of enthusiasm among the other reviewers. Tracy is at his blustering best. You might call it overacting but, to me, it's classic gung ho Tracy. Maybe his character made some poor impulsive decisions, such as quitting his job and union, but he also made some good decisions, such as seeing that calling a strike was just what the boss((Joseph Calleia, as Nick) wanted, so that he could void their 5 year contracts and bring in cheaper labor. Also, he worked out a plan for Jean's prison break. True, that was a very risky undertaking and, at the end, she (and he)was still being hunted by the police. The scene of the escape is exciting, with women screaming and running every which way after a rat was released in the laundry room. This provided Jean and her 2 accomplices diversion so that they could hop down the big storm drain pipe during a heavy rain, and get carried to outside the prison wall, to a waiting car. Later, Tracy detects a plan to blow up an oil tanker, while serving as the night watchman, and knocks out the 3 of them!
As to why Jean favored Tracy over Calleia, as some wonder. Partly, it's a matter of history, Clearly, they have been romancing on and off for some years. Looks like she wants a bully, who can fight with his fists as well as his brains, who alternates between loving her and fighting(mostly verbally)with her. During one of their fights, Jean labels him as riffraff. He's a man who doesn't want the bother of children, but is pleased when he sees the son Jean presents to him. Apparently, he's the most productive tuna fisherman of the lot, which counts for something. In contrast, to me, Calliea comes across as too oily. Apparently, Jean thought so too.
Tracy typically talks very fast and with certitude, although occasionally he admits he may not be as smart as he thinks.
The recently released "You are my Lucky Star" composed by Arthur Freedman and Nacio Herb Brown, is sung by a male chorus during the July 4 celebration, later reprised by Jean when in prison. It was also sung in "Broadway Melody of 1936" and, of course, in the later "Singing in the Rain".
As one reviewer pointed out, the plot seemed more in keeping with a Warner-type film. But, that doesn't keep it from being grand entertainment.
A young Mickey Rooney, and Una Merkel have subsidiary roles as Jean's younger brother and sister, respectively. Mickey puts a small firecracker in each ear, then wonders why it hurts when they go off!
See it at YouTube. The film was in excellent condition...Several reviewers claimed that "Libeled Lady", also costarring Tracy and Jean, but Myrna Loy and William Powell, as well, is much superior to this film. I haven't seen it, but doubt I would agree.
As to why Jean favored Tracy over Calleia, as some wonder. Partly, it's a matter of history, Clearly, they have been romancing on and off for some years. Looks like she wants a bully, who can fight with his fists as well as his brains, who alternates between loving her and fighting(mostly verbally)with her. During one of their fights, Jean labels him as riffraff. He's a man who doesn't want the bother of children, but is pleased when he sees the son Jean presents to him. Apparently, he's the most productive tuna fisherman of the lot, which counts for something. In contrast, to me, Calliea comes across as too oily. Apparently, Jean thought so too.
Tracy typically talks very fast and with certitude, although occasionally he admits he may not be as smart as he thinks.
The recently released "You are my Lucky Star" composed by Arthur Freedman and Nacio Herb Brown, is sung by a male chorus during the July 4 celebration, later reprised by Jean when in prison. It was also sung in "Broadway Melody of 1936" and, of course, in the later "Singing in the Rain".
As one reviewer pointed out, the plot seemed more in keeping with a Warner-type film. But, that doesn't keep it from being grand entertainment.
A young Mickey Rooney, and Una Merkel have subsidiary roles as Jean's younger brother and sister, respectively. Mickey puts a small firecracker in each ear, then wonders why it hurts when they go off!
See it at YouTube. The film was in excellent condition...Several reviewers claimed that "Libeled Lady", also costarring Tracy and Jean, but Myrna Loy and William Powell, as well, is much superior to this film. I haven't seen it, but doubt I would agree.