Tonight's Movie: Stranded (1935)

STRANDED is a lightweight but enjoyable romance starring George Brent and Kay Francis.

Brent plays Mack, an engineer building the Golden Gate Bridge. Mack loves Lynn (Francis), who works for Traveler's Aid in a San Francisco train terminal. Mack doesn't see value in Lynn's job and is anxious for her to quit her job and devote her time to him. Lynn loves Mack but needs him to respect her job before she can agree to marry him. In a fast-paced 72 minutes we watch Mack and Lynn romancing and working. Will they smooth out their relationship before the end credits roll?

The movie's setting is quite interesting, whether it's the building of the Golden Gate Bridge (which opened in 1937), the depiction of Traveler's Aid and train travel, or the '30s battle of the sexes and discussion of male-female roles. Brent and Francis are charming; it's a fun way to pass an hour and twelve minutes.

The supporting cast includes Patricia Ellis, Barton MacLane, and Henry O'Neill. The screenplay is by Delmer Daves, and Francis's gowns are by Orry-Kelly.

Francis, an actress for whom I have an increasing appreciation, left a collection of diaries and other papers which are archived at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. It would certainly be interesting to be able to look through them. There are several books available on Francis which I'm interested in reading: KAY FRANCIS: A PASSIONATE LIFE AND CAREER; THE COMPLETE KAY FRANCIS CAREER RECORD; and KAY FRANCIS: I CAN'T WAIT TO BE FORGOTTEN.

STRANDED was directed by Frank Borzage. Borzage films previously reviewed here include FLIRTATION WALK (1934), HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT (1937), FLIGHT COMMAND (1940), and SEVEN SWEETHEARTS (1942).

STRANDED is not available on DVD or VHS but can be seen on TCM.

August 2010 Update: STRANDED is now available in DVD-R format from the Warner Archive.

September 2016 Update: My review of the DVD is here.