The love triangle was and is a popular movie theme, so when Clark Gable and Joan Crawford are part of it, you can expect some good entertainment. They have very good chemistry together, perhaps because they were reportedly lovers offscreen. The third leg of the triangle is suave Otto Kruger, who never gives a bad performance, and there is also Gable's best friend, Stuart Erwin, who is there mostly for comic relief. I enjoyed the shipboard romance, which was neatly combined with some comedy, and included scenes with a young Mickey Rooney before his Andy Hardy days. I was surprised at the ending, which seemed to go against the Code.
Add a Review
-
blanche-21 October 2009Joan Crawford is "Chained" in this 1934 film, but alas, it's not to Clark Gable, but to Otto Kruger. Crawford and Gable were a wonderful team, and this is one of the eight films they made together. Crawford plays a young woman, Diana Lovering, whose married boyfriend Richard (Kruger) is unable to get a divorce from his wife. She goes on a long cruise to South America and on the boat meets Mike (Gable), who has a horse ranch in Argentina. And guess what. She feels that she needs to return to tell Richard that she's fallen in love with Mike. When she returns home, however, she finds out that Richard has gotten a divorce from his wife and had to give up seeing his children in order to do so. She then believes she's obligated to marry him and writes a Dear Mike letter. However, she and Mike cross paths again a year later.
There isn't anything special about this film, directed by Clarence Brown, except for the chemistry of the two stars. They made better films together - "Possessed" (the '30s one) and "Strange Cargo" being two off the top of my head. But I have to admit that I always love seeing them, and Crawford was so striking in those days, it's worth a look. -
Diane Lovering (Joan Crawford) is about to win the lottery by wresting away ocean liner CEO Richard Field (Otto Kruger) from his harridan spouse who refuses to give him a divorce. Needing more time to convince his wife otherwise he sends Diane on a lengthy cruise replete with maid and a stateroom the size of a small cafeteria. On board she meets Mike Bradley a rancher in Argentina who attempts to romance her. After slowly wearing Diane down she resolves to return to the states and break it off with Field but when she sees what the tycoon has sacrificed for her she goes through with the marriage. Wealthy beyond her wildest dreams and loved by a decent man she is still nagged by her decision when she bumps into Bradley at a gun store a year later.
Gable and Crawford never looked better in this above average entry of their numerous teamings together. In more than one scene we are treated to cinematographer George Folsey's cameras warm embrace of the handsome Gable and radiant Crawford offering concrete evidence of the icons they were and remain. The star wattage however is dimmed by the rational and civil discourse displayed by Field who maintains decorum throughout even in the face of possibly losing his new wife to Bradley. In addition Diane for a good chunk of the film has to check her passion as she attempts to keep Bradley at arm's length. But whether in conversation or a clinch these two sharing the screen together constantly reinforce Norma Desmond's Sunset Boulevard declaration about pictures with matchless chemistry.
Crawford, more restrained, sophisticated and understanding than in most of her roles gives one of the better performances of her career. Garbo director Clarence Brown might have had some influence in toning her performance down but for the most part he maintains a steady framing of the two leads struggling with coitus interruptus.
Otto Kruger as Field is decent and noble in the face of the calamity he faces, maybe too much to the film's detriment. Stu Erwin is annoying as Mike's flunky while Oona Mundsin as Diane's maid casts more glances than dialogue. There are brief moments of ethnic insensitivity with some at the expense of Akim Tamiroff who nevertheless gets the biggest laugh in this otherwise well mannered and tame romantic melodrama that succeeds solely on the merit of its well showcased charismatic leads at the top of their game. -
bkoganbing18 November 2011Chained was the fourth film that paired Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, the fourth of eight. It's basically a piece of romantic fluff with no great strain on either star. Clark Gable was the leading man Joan did the most films and vice versa.
Crawford is the well kept mistress of Otto Kruger who would like to marry her, but his wife Marjorie Gateson won't let him go without breaking him in alimony and child support. After making that abundantly clear to Crawford and Kruger, Joan goes off on a South American cruise where she runs into rancher Clark Gable who has a nice size spread on the Pampas.
Nothing terribly original in Chained, it's your basic romantic triangle film. What got me about it after seeing is how terribly terribly civilized everyone is behaving, even Gateson after a fashion. There are few enough Hollywood films where Kruger's character would invite Gable to have breakfast with him and Joan knowing full well he's there to take her away.
Anyone who's familiar with Hollywood romances in the days of the big studios knows full well how this is going to turn out. Chained is a pleasant enough romance to satisfy the fans of Gable and Crawford. -
gerry-russell-13915 February 2001Even if you took out the typical yet entertaining love triangle between Gable, Crawford and Otto Kruger, you'd still have a film that offers fun each time you see it. Personally, I'd never miss a film with Gable playing the tall-dark-and-handsome heartthrob who gets the girl in the end... his natural talent for the quick-witted quips was (and still is) what attracts us men to him and his manly, muscular physique to our women. Isn't he what all of us guys want to emmulate?! Crawford, although I hate her with a passion, is an actress who I can't deny has a great flair for acting. And when it comes right down to it, how can anyone hope that Kruger would win over a man as perfect as Gable? It's the typical boy-gets-girl, happily-ever-after ending that was so popular in the thirties that audiences ate up and some still do today. It's a cute little farce worth watching every once in a while.
-
TheLittleSongbird18 February 2020Like both Joan Crawford, at her best in melodrama, and Clark Gable, at his best in romantic comedies and comedy (also equally as strong in drama) as actors. They both gave a lot of fine performances and starred in a fair share of good and more films on their own. 'Chained' is their fifth pairing together and shows how they worked so well together, maybe not one of the all-time great partnerships in film but their chemistry always shone.
Is 'Chained' one of their best films, individually and together? Not to me. Does it boast one of Crawford's best performances? No, but it was great to see a different side to her. Does it see the best of Gable? No, but he is in the sort of role that he always played very well and suited him perfectly. Is 'Chained' worth watching? Absolutely, and primarily for those two and their chemistry. It may not be a great film, but to me it was a good one and deserves to be better known.
'Chained' may be predictable in story and again story-wise there is not an awful lot to it. One may not buy that the characters seem so polite and almost too over-civil, considering the type of story it was it would have benefitted from more character depth and more tension.
There is one not so good performance. That comes from Stuart Erwin, who for my tastes was annoying, his material overdone and didn't gel particularly well with the rest of the film.
Visually though, 'Chained' looks absolutely great. Loved the lavish sets and Crawford's knockout costumes really do stop the show. All enhanced by the photography, which was almost dream-like. The music avoids being too syrupy, while Clarence Brown directs with always engaging style while accomodating the cast just as beautifully. The dialogue is smart, witty and sophisticated as one hopes. Did not expect the ending, which doesn't end as patly as feared and didn't feel as forced upon as it could have been.
Both Crawford and Gable are delightful here. It was great to see Crawford more toned down, for somebody who often starred in intense melodramas, and bringing a lighter touch to her acting, and the role suits her very well. Gable is dashing and charismatic with smart comic timing. Their chemistry scintillates. Suave Otto Kruger also gives a fine performance and even steals his scenes.
Overall, while not a must see it is worth tracking seen and deserves to be seen more. 7/10 -
wes-connors15 May 2010Beautiful secretary Joan Crawford (as Diane Lovering) enjoys both working and sleeping with the boss, Otto Kruger (as Richard I. Field). Mr. Kruger wants to marry his willing mistress, but the wife refuses to grant him a divorce. To console a disappointed Ms. Crawford, Kruger sends her on a luxury cruise. On the ship, Crawford spurns "hot and bothered" Stuart Erwin (as John "Johnnie" L. Smith) at the bar, intending to be faithful. Then, she meets sexy rancher businessman Clark Gable (as Michael "Mike" Bradley)...
Will Crawford stay "Chained" to Kruger, or fall in love with Gable?
This is an MGM box office star power production, with Crawford and Gable doing what they do best. "When she's in his arms, it's the grandest thrill the screen can give!" Not quite, but director Clarence Brown and cameraman George Folsey handle the performers very well; the combination showed Crawford in her best light. Highlights include a fast stroll aboard ship, and a shimmering swimming pool sequence. The later includes young Mickey Rooney and pal Delmar Watson cavorting with Gable and Crawford.
****** Chained (8/31/34) Clarence Brown ~ Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Otto Kruger, Stuart Erwin -
westerfieldalfred26 August 2013I'm a straight arrow. Been married 44 years, never cheated. Don't smoke, drink or do drugs. But I'm not a prude. I love pre-code films. It's just when I see a really decent guy get the shaft it upsets me. I don't know that anyone other than Otto Kruger could have played this role. He breathes sincerity. In anyone else it would be hilarious or maudlin. He makes the film work. Gable's character has known a lot of women. I think he'll know more, sooner or later. The flame of Crawford's character will turn to dust in time. Yes, it's exciting but it won't last. Until she met Gable her life would have been one of long term serene happiness, thinking only of Kruger while he thought only of her. That's the way to spend a life, or at least the way I've spent mine. Crawford made the wrong choice. If she'd stayed with Kruger I would have given it a 9.
Otto Kruger was a better actor than most persons can imagine. He could play a suave fifth columnist who loves his wife and grandson (Saboteur), an action hero (Dracula's Daughter), a caring scientist with a very thin skin (Dr. Erlich's Magic Bullet) and a romantic leading man (Beauty For Sale). And everything in-between. He adds something to every film he's in because he is, in the end, believable. -
funkyfry5 December 2002*******SPOILERS********
Fairly standard story -- Crawford is a "career gal" in love with her boss -- the exquisitely dapper and gentlemanly Kruger -- or, at least, she thinks she is until a shipboard romance with Argentinian rancher Gable gets in the way. The only gimmick here is the audience's expectation that Kruger will go mad or seek some kind of revenge (you can even imagine Lon Chaney in the role), but he doesn't. The chemistry between Gable and Crawford is the picture of passion, although they are not aided by the tepid dialogue ("the sun of love will always shine on us" and such stuff), and Kruger and Crawford present a believable picture of a marriage based on respect instead of love. -
utgard1411 January 2014Middling MGM romance about a woman torn between two men. As the film starts, Joan Crawford is in a relationship with married Otto Kruger. Otto thinks his wife will graciously consent to a divorce. But wifey shows up and says nix to that. So Joan goes on a cruise to think about things and meets handsome rancher Clark Gable. You can see where it's headed. Joan gradually falls for Clark but she's still torn about Otto, whose wife has finally agreed to a divorce. When you hear the terms of the divorce and that Kruger was willing to accept them, you'll be ill. Really a fairly depressing movie for a romancer. But it's got the MGM spit & shine and a great cast. So check it out and decide for yourself.
-
beyondtheforest15 November 2009Forget the plot, as it's the typical 1930s love triangle. You've seen it all before, probably, but Clarence Brown adds his usual sure touch, and the plot unfolds satisfyingly. Crawford is at her most beautiful and glamorous in the role of Diane Lovering. Each scene is like part of a fashion show, with Crawford modeling the latest and greatest of 1934 fashions by Adrian. She is given the full MGM star treatment here, ala Garbo or Shearer. It was said that this was the film in which the cinematographer, and Joan, learned of the lighting which produced what we recognize now as the Joan Crawford face. The viewer can certainly tell in the stunning closeups. Gable is again playing dashing, robust, virile, and has plenty of clever dialog. It's not a standout role for him, but Crawford and Gable always create plenty of sexual chemistry to keep the viewer interested. Overall, CHAINED is an entertaining film, thanks to gorgeous art deco sets, costumes, fine performances by the entire cast, and the usual Gable-Crawford chemistry. The big stars, sex, and glamour manage to carry a fairly routine script.
-
mark.waltz15 December 2018Of course I'd have to watch the other seven Joan Crawford/Clark Gable movies to determine if they all ended the same way but I could tell what was coming in this delightful 1934 romantic drama that pulls out all the stops to bring out the handkerchiefs. But when Garland sang "Dear Mr. Gable" in "Broadway Melody of 1938" and mention Joan Crawford, it stirred up memories of a heat that probably had Louis B. Mayer squirming due to his knowledge of their personal relationship.
The film starts off awkwardly with Crawford involved with the Unhappily Married Otto Kruger, a happy-go-lucky older businessman whose wife Marjorie Gateson has been away and who upon her return from Europe refuses to give him a divorce. Needing time to let the scandal Gateson threatens him with to settle down, Kruger sends Joan off on a cruise where she meets the handsome Clark Gable. At first snubbing him, she quickly falls prey to his charms and they end up having an affair mixed with romance and humor that accelerates the sparks. But her return to New York to end her relationship with Kruger for good fails because of knows he presented her with and his obvious devotion to her. Gable gets another letter, unlike the one from Judy Garland, that leaves him embittered, and unprepared for a sudden encounter with Joan when he visits New York.
To watch the Crawford and Gable romance blossom in this film is delight, especially in the scene when they try to outrun two inquisitive nosy old ladies who are literally chasing them around the decks of the cruise ship. It is obvious that their romance was inevitable and that Crawford's respectful relationship with Kruger would end up with both pity and resentment. That leads to the haunting conclusion that will definitely require a dab of the eyes.
Funny man Stuart Erwin provides find support as Gable's buddy who both admires and resents Joan for bringing love into Gable's life and distracting him from their friendship. His character is very human in his jealousy and gets a few good cracks in at Joan's expense. Una O'Connor is seen briefly as her companion, hired by Kruger, and in full knowledge of the affair but not breathing a word to expose it. The glitz and glamour of this early code MGM drama has enough sparkle to be deliciously frank in its obvious sexual overtones, but obviously had to be somewhat altered as films just a year before this were much racier then this. I can see why films like this were top box office draws and they truly stand the test of time and their emotional power, especially thanks to the chemistry of the gorgeous leads. -
nickandrew4 September 2000Rather dull and tiresome romantic triangle once again pairing Gable and Crawford. Joan plays a socialite who falls for dashing Gable on a cruise, but she has husband Kruger waiting for her back home. One highlight is trying to spot a young Mickey Rooney early in the film, playing in a swimming pool.
-
morrison-dylan-fan6 July 2014Despite having heard her name a number of times,I have somehow never got round to seeing Joan Crawford in a film!,which led to me searching around on Amazon UK for a film that would allow me to finally break my non-Crawford watching chain.
The plot:
Meeting up with her long-term lover Richard I. Field,mistress Diane Lovering starts to hope that she is about to become part of Field's cruise ship business empire,thanks to Field announcing to Lovering that he is finally going to divorce his wife Louise.Despite having hardly seen his wife for over a year,Field's plans are left in tatters,when Louise reveals that she won't divorce him,due to the doors that have opened since she has gotten the 'Mrs.Field' title.
Desperate to heal the sadness that Lovering has suffered from his failure to get a divorce,Field arranges for Lovering to go on a cruise ship of his,which will allow her to go on an all expenses paid South American cruise.Spending time on her own thinking about Field,Lovering soon catches the attention of a wealthy ranch owner called Michael 'Mike' Bradley,which will lead to Lovering wondering if she is really chained to Field's love.
View on the film:
Teaming up for the 4th (of 8) times,Clark Gable and Joan Crawford each give excellent performances,with Gable showing a devilish side which contains real warmth,as Bradley finds himself getting closer to Lovering.Walking round the cruise ship with a dazzling elegance,Crawford places Lovering's concern for Field right at the heart of the character,thanks to Crawford showing a real charm in the largely improvised scenes she shares with Gable,which along with showing the characters flirtatious side,also displays Lovering's fear of someone getting hurt.
Taking the character in an unexpected route,Otto Kruger gives a masterful performance as Richard I. Field,as Kruger keeps away from dipping in sleaze,to instead give Field a genuine sense of sincerity,as Field finds himself unable to stop the chain that he has with Lovering from breaking.
Filmed just after prohibition had been lifted in the US,director Clarence Brown displays the wealthy world that the character's inhabit by covering the movie with lashings of booze,which are joined by glamorous tracking shots which show Crawford's beauty and also show the beauty of the luxury cruise (something that only the very rich could afford at the time) that Lovering is on.Sadly not being able to match the glamour that Crawford gives the movie,or the stylish tracking shoots that Brown uses,the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, John Lee Mahin and Edgar Selwyn keeps away from looking at the seedier aspects of the title,which leads to no real sparks being allowed to set off between Lovering and her would-be lover's,that cause this chain to break apart far too soon. -
lugonian28 August 2022CHAINED (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934), directed by Clarence Brown, may give the impression from its title that this is a prison movie set on the chain gang. In fact, it's a simple romantic triangle with invisible chain of devotion taken from an original story by Edgar Selwyn, teaming Joan Crawford and Clark Gable for the fifth time.
Set in New York City, the story introduces Diane Lovering (Joan Crawford), who, after working for five years as private secretary under wealthy steamship owner and middle-aged businessman, Richard Field (Otto Kruger), has now become his mistress. Because he's unable to have his wife, Louise (Marjorie Gateson) grant him a divorce, he suggests for Diane to take a cruise, with Amy (Una O'Connor) to Buenos Aires until he can settle matters with Louise. Being devoted to Richard, and wanting him to be happy, she promises to come back to him upon her return from her trip. While on her cruise on one of Richard's steamships, Diane meets Mike Bradley (Clark Gable), an Argentine rancher traveling from New York with his friend, Johnny L. Smith (Stuart Erwin). After a shaky start, their relationship becomes a shipboard romance. Problems arise when Diane returns to learn Richard is now free to marry her, only to begin having second thoughts. Akim Tamiroff and Paul Porcasi co-star in smaller roles. Look fast for future MGM star, Mickey Rooney, appearing briefly as a boy swimmer in the pool.
As much as material such as this could have gone to other dramatic actresses of formula material as Kay Francis, Norma Shearer or even Greta Garbo, the presence of Crawford and Gable appear to be the most forceful asset. Under Clarence Brown's direction, they simply make this routine mix of comedy and melodrama seem fresh and original. Aside from some comedy relief by Stuart Erwin, other amusing moments occur on how Gable and Crawford meet, followed by Gable pretending to be crazy with Crawford as his keeper in order to have following lady passengers (Nora Cecil and Grace Hayle) from annoying them. Otto Kruger does well as Crawford's benefactor. Aside from having a fine speaking voice, his performance presents him as understanding and caring for the love of Diane. Though some portions may lag during some of its 75 minutes, it's acceptable viewing. Before 1934 would come to a close, Crawford and Gable would unite again in FORSAKING ALL OTHERS, indicating how Crawford and Gable are a grand team.
Formerly available on video cassette and later DVD, CHAINED did have some cable television broadcasts over the years, namely the Movie Channel in 1991 before becoming a permanent fixture along with other MGM movie titles on Turner Classic Movies since 1994. (**1/2) -
planktonrules4 June 2010This is the second film with Joan Crawford where she appears to insanely rebuff a handsome and very nice single guy (the other is "Forsaking All Others") for some completely undeserving jerk. Logically, this just never made any sense--a major problem with the plot. After all, who could believe that Crawford could hold a flame for the married Otto Kruger--especially after learning that his wife will never grant him a divorce. So, when she meets rich, handsome, charming and sweet Gable on a cruise ship bound for South America, you wonder what gives--how could she resist his charms and hold out hopes to STILL capture Kruger?! I am about as straight as any guy could be, and I would have had a devil of a time resisting Gable's charms!!
By convention, you KNOW that despite everything, Gable and Crawford will marry by the end of the movie. That simply is how these films had to end back in 1934...period. So, even when Kruger's wife finally grants him a divorce and Crawford leaves with him, you KNOW that by the final minutes of the movie she finally uses her noggin and chooses Gable. There is no other option...and this is a serious problem with the film. It is all just too conventional and too expected. It's still enjoyable and well-acted--but also way too 'by the numbers' to be anything other than a very well-crafted but utterly predictable film. MGM apparently made a bazillion such films...and early into this film you realize this is yet another one of them--proving that in the 1930s America WAS into recycling!
By the way, late in the film I think I may have understood why for so long Crawford stayed with Kruger. In the film, he was apparently a Harvard man--and Gable's character (what a slacker) was only a Yale man!! -
SnoopyStyle20 August 2022Diane Lovering (Joan Crawford) is a woman of action. She's the secretary to shipping magnate Richard Field. He's eager to divorce his wife in order to marry her. She agrees to go on a cruise but not to marry him. On board the ship, she attracts the attention of overly eager Johnnie Smith. He brings along his best friend Mike Bradley (Clark Gable) who double-crosses him by pretending to chase him off. She catches the boys quickly afterwards.
The meet-cute is pretty cute. I get the comedic idea of Diane catching the boys. It would serve Mike better if he confesses after an initial date. She's going find out eventually anyways and he can play with the reveal. He can recruit her into playing a prank on Johnnie and doing the reveal afterwards. Crawford and Gable can't help but exude their star power. Their chemistry is a bit of a battle between titans. On the other hand, Richard Field is a small character by comparison. He needs some heft and probably a bigger actor. For some reason, the story falls somewhat flat after the marriage which doesn't make her look good. The romance fizzles and then it tries to be a pulpy cheating drama. In the end, it doesn't have the teeth to take that bite. It's still worthwhile to see these two stars at work. -
dglink5 August 2020Sparkling with stardust and glitter from the gowns and jewelry, "Chained" is romantic fluff from the Golden Age of Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Elegant Diane Lovering is the mistress of wealthy shipping magnate Richard Field, a middle-aged man, whose wife refuses him a divorce. After a confrontation with his wife in front of Diane, Field sends Diane off on an ocean voyage to think about their future together. Bad idea, because Mike Bradley, a handsome wealthy ranch owner from the Argentine, is aboard the liner, and the predictable sparks ignite.
Ah, the problems of the super rich are many in this glossy bauble. Joan Crawford as Diane parades sequined gowns and various hairstyles, while she ponders, suffers, and weeps glycerine tears and weighs her alternatives: wealth and social position in New York or wealth and a hunky husband in Argentina; either way, she eats and dresses well, while outside the movie theater Americans endured the Great Depression. Undeniable star power propels this short light-weight drama. Stunningly photographed by George Folsey and directed by Clarence Brown in gowns by Adrian, Crawford glows as the epitome of 1930's movie glamour. Clark Gable as Mike is equally glamorous and bigger than life; his instantly likeable personality and legendary looks captivate.
Beyond the two above-the-title stars, the supporting cast is more than capable to carry the gossamer-thin storyline; led by Otto Kruger as Gable's rival for Crawford, the character players include Stuart Erwin as Mike's buddy, Una O'Connor as Diane's maid, and Akim Tamiroff as a gourmet chef. Future star Mickey Rooney is hard to miss in a brief stint in the ship's swimming pool. Escapist entertainment like "Chained" distracted audiences from the pain of the Depression in the 1930's. However, contemporary viewers may chuckle at the whimsical problems amid the excessive wealth displayed on screen: lunch at the Colony, lodging at the St. Regis, luxury liner suites, vast haciendas, and cavernous apartments. Despite the predicable feather-weight story, MGM had stars that merited their stardom, and Crawford and Gable were at the pinnacle. For them alone, "Chained" merits watching. -
Chained (1934)
*** (out of 4)
Predictable soap from MGM has Joan Crawford playing a heartbroken woman who takes a cruise to try and relieve her of the pain of her lover (Otto Kruger) being rejected by his wife when he asked for a divorce. On the cruise she is pursued by another man (Clark Gable) and the two begin to have feelings for one another but she decides to stay true to the man she left behind. If you're looking for something original or fresh then you'd be best to look somewhere else as this film isn't either of those things. The movie is incredibly predictable and there's not a single thing that happens that you won't see coming from a mile away but if you're watching this movie it's more than likely to see Crawford and Gable and the two are so good here that it makes the thing worth sitting through. Great actors can pull off just about anything and both Crawford and Gable are very good here but there's obviously something else going on. You can just tell that the two have some wonderfully chemistry and it really seems as if they're having the time of their lives together. Just take a look at a sequence where they're speed walking around the boat. The laughs they share certainly appear to be very real. There's's another wonderful scene in a swimming pool. The two stars certainly have enough sex appeal to carry the film and they do just that. They work the romance well, the drama well and they even manage to be quite funny. Kruger turns in a fine performance as well even though the screenplay does him no favors. We get a nice supporting performance by Stuart Erwin, Una O'Connor (THE INVISIBLE MAN) and we quickly see a young Mickey Rooney during the pool sequence. If you pause and think about the movie too much you'll realize that the Crawford character really isn't that good of a person considering she's spending her time with a married man and then when she ends up marrying him she just turns around and cheats on him. The film never makes her character look bad for this obviously because it's Crawford. With that said, it's best to just turn your brain off and enjoy the two legends and the fireworks they bring. -
ArtVandelayImporterExporter23 September 2022In what world is smokin' hot Joan Crawford in love with old goat Otto Kruger? Unless Kruger is obscenely wealthy.
Therefore, where's the dramatic tension? Of course she's going to fall for dashing Clark Gable.
Interestingly, Crawford paid .50 for a c0cktail in the cruise ship lounge. That's equivalent to $10.56 in 2022 money. Heck, I've paid more for c0cktails at my local pub.
Amazing how Joan's face paint was so well-shellacked that it didn't even run while she did the front crawl. Terrible swimmer, though. And that bathing suit. Yikes. How did Americans ever get around to making babies before bikinis.
The whole thing is so stiff and banal it couldn't possibly have taken more than two weeks to shoot. The charm of the two leads isn't enough to keep this boat afloat. -
nsimcox10 May 2006I've heard (or read) nothing but bad comments on this movie @ IMDb. But what no one seems to be watching is the acting. The acting & the storyline are so wonderful! Comparisons of the older Mrs. Fielding's divorce request to the younger is so touching & ironic. There are comic moments on the ship between Crawford & Gable. This isn't an epic action type of movie. But it is a very satisfying escape from everyday life. Isn't that what movies are for? Especially the classic's? I challenge any true classic movie lover that if they don't find this movie "satisfying", then they aren't true classic movie lovers. This movie had a twist that I haven't seen in movies in several years. Can someone tell me of a movie with this same type of love triangle? One that shows the wonderful irony also? And the kindness of Mr. Fielding? And the easy lilting voices of that age? These movies didn't need instant gratification to solve problems. Classic's like these are like a comfortable raft on the lake on a great sunny day. They don't need BIG epic action to make you feel good. They just do it with the acting and a good screenplay.
-
CassC082123 August 2022This movie was even better than I expected it to be. The chemistry between Gable and Crawford is unmatched. This movie was surprisingly emotional, I really enjoyed it. Crawford was excellent in portraying the heartbreak her character endured for loving two people but only being In love with one of them. I like movies with happy endings, so this is for sure going down as one of my favorites. My only complaint would be I would've liked to see the main characters reunite in the moment after she ended things with her husband. It jumped ahead to them being back together and married already, however I felt the movie would've benefited from having an emotional reunion of the two of them because their acting and chemistry was so good throughout the film. They are just so good together. The movie did a great job of having you feel for the man she didn't chose, both times! Not sure why this movie doesn't have higher ratings but I feel this is one of Gable's best!
-
u47759 June 2010I was surprised when I saw this film because in all the films these two made, I don't think that either ever looked any better than they do in this film. Crawford was about 29 and Gable 33, and each was really in their prime. And the chemistry showed too.
I thought that the swimming pool scenes were especially interesting as one can easily take them very lightly. But the thought of actually acting, reciting lines and swimming back and forth across the pool is a lot easier said than done. Considering the number of scenes, I wonder how many takes it took to get that sequence filmed? It was also a good vehicle to get both stars in bathing suits for the time, and Crawford's is actually pretty revealing.
Some other reviewers believe that the Crawford character would not have wanted to stay with the Kruger character, but I thought that Crawford completely sold it. Not an unusual plot but a somewhat unusual ending especially for the time. Crawford could have come across as sleazy given her characters morals, but somehow she came across as noble, no easy feat, and a tribute to her ability. Gable? what can you say, he just had "it".
One to see for old movie fans. -
cjh66890824 January 2015Chained (1934) stars Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Otto Kruger, and Stuart Erwin. This was the fifth of eight movies that Crawford and Gable made together. They were known for their incredible chemistry on screen, and Chained is no exception. This movie has romance, humor, and even some good atmosphere in parts. This movie is basically about a woman who is torn between two men and she needs to decide who she wants to be with. That's all I want to say. I don't want to give anything away. The movie was well shot and was directed by Clarence Brown. Crawford's acting is excellent. She turns on Niagara Falls several times in this movie just like she does in every movie she's in. Nobody in cinematic history was better at this than Crawford. Gable comes across as a little bit unconvincing in certain parts - his reaction to certain things that happen during the movie is as if it doesn't affect him the way you would think it would affect him. Overall, though, his acting is pretty good. Otto Kruger gives a good performance throughout - very solid.
When this movie was made, Crawford was at the peak of her career at MGM. This movie was made right after Sadie McKee (1934).
I give this movie 5 stars because of the basic story, plot, cinematography, quality of acting, and camera-work. -
rickrudge31 January 2017Chained (1934)
This is one of those early romantic movies Clark Gable and Joan Crawford used to do.
Diane Lovering (Crawford) is the unapologetic mistress of a New York shipping magnet, Richard Field (Otto Kruger). Richard would love to divorce his wife Louise (Marjorie Gateson) and marry Diane, but Louise likes her lifestyle too much the way it is, and threatens to take Richard's two sons away where he would never see them again.
Richard feels guilty about this and buys Diane an ocean cruise to Argentina to ease her pain, his guilt, and to give her time to think about whether she wants to stay in this kind of arrangement the way it is or not. On the ship she meets Mike Bradley (Gable) who has a South American cattle ranch.
Naturally, they fall madly in love with each other, but Diane's loyalty to Richard keeps her from sealing the deal until she talks with Richard first. When she arrives back in New York, she finds out that Richard is divorcing Louise, despite never seeing his kids again. Diane resigns herself to marrying Richard and sends Mike a quick Dear John letter.
Later, Diane bumps into Mike while shopping downtown and discovers that she still loves Mike more than Richard. What now?