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A Tale of Two Cities Overview:

A Tale of Two Cities (1935) was a Drama - Historical Film directed by Jack Conway and Robert Z. Leonard (uncredited) and produced by David O. Selznick.

SYNOPSIS

In a striking adaptation of the oft-filmed Dickens tale set during the French Revolution, Colman portrays Sydney Carton, a carefree lawyer who springs into action, aiding victims of the Reign of Terror, sparking love and, eventually, an ultimate sacrifice. Haunting, dark photography adds mood to the proceedings, and the supporting performances are all standouts (in particular, screen rookie Yurka's Mme. Defarge). This was an immediate blockbuster and boosted Selznick's fortunes. Jacques Tourneur directed the second-unit crowd scenes.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1936 --- Ceremony Number 9 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Film EditingConrad A. NervigNominated
Best PictureMetro-Goldwyn-MayerNominated
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A Tale of Two Cities BlogHub Articles:

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 23, 2017 From 4 Star Films

It’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much li... Read full article

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 23, 2017 From 4 Star Films

It’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much li... Read full article

A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1980)

By Dan Day Jr. on Apr 22, 2016 From The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog

One would assume that after the huge success of STAR WARS, Peter Cushing might have gotten the opportunity to work on any number of enticing projects. But that simply wasn't so. Most of the films Cushing worked on after STAR WARS and before his mid-1980s retirement are either almost impossible to fi... Read full article

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

By Beatrice on May 4, 2013 From Flickers in Time

A Tale of Two Cities Directed by Jack Conway 1935/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing This is a fairly faithful adaptation of the Dickens novel.  The evil Marquis St. Evremonde (Basil Rathbone) denounced Dr. Manette and had him imprisoned without trial in the Bastille for 18 years.  Manette... Read full article

A Tale of Two Cities (Ralph Thomas, 1958)

By Judy on Dec 18, 2012 From Movie Classics

Dirk Bogarde as Sydney Carton In the UK, the 1958 Rank Organisation adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, starring  Dirk Bogarde, is probably better-remembered than the 1935 MGM version. The 1950s film is the one that’s widely available here (there’s even a special edition DVD), whereas ... Read full article

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A Tale of Two Cities Quotes:

Sydney Carton: My poor child. It isn't understanding we need now. It's courage.
Seamstress: You're going to die in his place. Why?
Sydney Carton: He is my friend.
Seamstress: You're so brave... When we go to the guillotine, will you let me hold your hand? That might give me courage, too.
Sydney Carton: Yes. I'll hold it to the last.
Seamstress: To the last.
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: My boy, never for a moment did I doubt your innocence.
Sydney Carton: So, Mr. Lorry, respectable men of business may speak to Mr. Darnay in public, now he's acquitted.
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: You have mentioned that before, sir. We men of business must think of the house we serve more than ourselves.
Sydney Carton: Yes, yes. Banking, of course, imposes its own restrictions and silences.
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: And, indeed, sir, I don't know that it is any of your business.
Sydney Carton: Oh, bless you, I have no business.
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: And if you had, sir, perhaps you would attend to it.
Sydney Carton: Lord love you, no I wouldn't!
[Madame DeFarge has come looking for Lucie and the child. Miss Pross bars her way out]
Miss Pross: Oh no you don't!
Madame De Farge: Let me pass.
Miss Pross: Never! I know what you want. I know what you're after. And thank heaven I'm put here to stop you - for stop you I will!
Madame De Farge: In the name of the Republic...
Miss Pross: In the name of no one, you evil woman. You've killed many innocent people. No doubt you'll kill many more; but my ladybird you shall never touch.
Madame De Farge: No? Do you know who I am?
Miss Pross: You might - from your appearance - be the wife of Lucifer; yet you shall not get the better of me. I'm an Englishwoman! I'm your match!
Madame De Farge: Pig, get out of my way or I'll break you in pieces.
Miss Pross: Break away, then. I don't care an English tuppence for myself; but I know that the longer I keep you here... the greater hope there is for my ladybird. [they fight]
[the mercenary troops are marching through Paris]
Jacques 116: How many thousands of these foreign soldiers are they bringing in?
Madame De Farge: It doesn't matter how many; it will do them no good.
The Vengeance: It will do them no good. Ha!
Madame De Farge: The starving people of Paris might wait a long time before rising up to fight French soldiers; but against hired, foreign troops... any day... any hour...
The Vengeance: Any minute!
Lucie Manette: You know, Sydney, sometimes it's the part of a friend to criticize, too.
Sydney Carton: Oh, when there's any hope of reformation, yes; but with me, it's hopeless.
Lucie Manette: I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it.
Sydney Carton: Oh, I admit that once when... when I first knew you, the sight of you and your home stirred old shadows that I thought had died out of me. I had unformed ideas of striving afresh, beginning anew, fighting out the abandoned fight. A dream that ended in nothing, but you inspired it.
Lucie Manette: Must it end in nothing?
Sydney Carton: I'm afraid so. But for that inspiration, and for that dream, I shall always be grateful to you, Lucie.
Lucie Manette: I feel in you still such possibilities.
Sydney Carton: No, they'll never be realized. I am like one who died young.
Lucie Manette: I'll never give up my hopes for you, Sydney. Never.
Sydney Carton: I know myself better. But, this I know, too: I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you. Will you hold me in your mind as being ardent and sincere in this one thing? Think now and then that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you?
Lucie Manette: Thank you, Sydney. God grant that it may never be necessary.
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A Tale of Two Cities Facts
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onMarch 18, 1946 with Ronald Colman reprising his film role.
This marked the last time that Ronald Colman agreed to shave his trademark mustache for a film.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onJanuary 12, 1942 with Ronald Colman reprising his film role.
Actor Ronald Colman agreed to play the role of Sydney Carton with the sole condition that he not also be required to play the role of Charles Darnay, as was usually expected in adaptations of the Dickens novel. The plot of 'A Tale of Two Cities' turns on the physical resemblance between the two characters. Colman had long wanted to play Sidney Carton, and was even willing to shave off his beloved mustache to play the part.
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