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The most sensational profit-maker of 1936 was "San Francisco", which unexpectedly became one of MGM's all-time winners. Made with a budget of $1,300,000 the movie was nominated for 6 Oscars winning one for best sound. Star power was an important factor; Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy were at their best in roles tailormade by Anita Loos, whose husband John Emerson co-produced with Bernard Hyman. It was also strong musically; Jeanette's songs ranged from a 'Faust' aria to a hit ballad 'Would You' and include a title song so rousing that San Francisco has made it the city's anthem ever since. Robert Hoskins' story, set in the rowdy Barbary Coast district in 1906, had sure appeal. But the big knockout punch was the earthquake/fire sequence, rocking and roaring with newsreel-like realism. Arnold Gillespie's special effects, Oliver T. Marsh's theater-shaking sound recording created an illusion which was for many years unsurpassed among movies' technical achievments. Much of the credit for the picture's stunning impact went to director W.S. Van Dyke, whose cast included Jack Holt, Jessie Ralph, Ted Healy, Shirley Ross, Margaret Irving and Harold Huber. The film was released on June 26th, 1936. |
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