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Dodsworth Overview:

Dodsworth (1936) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by William Wyler and produced by Samuel Goldwyn and Merritt Hulburd.

SYNOPSIS

A retired auto manufacturer travels to Europe with his vain, shallow wife. When she leaves him for a European baron, he is disconsolate until he meets a pretty young widow. A superb film adaptation of the Lewis novel handled well by Wyler and a big cast of Hollywood's best. Payne's screen debut.

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

Dodsworth was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990.

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

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorWalter HustonNominated
Best Supporting ActressMaria OuspenskayaNominated
Best Art DirectionRichard DayWon
Best DirectorWilliam WylerNominated
Best PictureSamuel Goldwyn ProductionsNominated
Best WritingSidney HowardNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Dodsworth BlogHub Articles:

Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton star in William Wyler’s production of “Dodsworth”

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 31, 2024 From Classic Movie Man

Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton star in William Wyler’s production of “Dodsworth” Dodsworth (1936) is an American drama film directed by William Wyler, and starring Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas, Mary Astor, and David Niven. The screenplay by Sidney Howard is ba... Read full article

On Blu-ray: Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton in William Wyler's Dodsworth (1936)

By KC on May 6, 2020 From Classic Movies

I have revisited director William Wyler’s Dodsworth (1936), a film based on a Sinclair Lewis novel, many times over the years and the older I get, the richer it becomes. While any movie can change meaning with repeat viewings, this is a production that particularly reveals new facets with time... Read full article

Dodsworth (1936)

By Beatrice on Jul 22, 2013 From Flickers in Time

Dodsworth Directed by William Wyler 1936/USA The Samuel Goldwyn Company Repeat viewing #101 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This intelligent drama is one of my favorite movies of any time.  I always forget just how much I love it until I see it again. Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston) has ... Read full article

My Favorite Film: Walter Huston’s Dodsworth

By Wade Sheeler on Apr 12, 2013 From Pretty Clever Films

TCM will air Dodsworth & The Treasure of the Sierra Madre this Sunday, April 14, 2013 I was a weird kid. I could make a list a mile long “why.” But for now, the example I’ll give is the first two movie stars that I loved – Gary Cooper and Walter Huston. Gary Cooper, I’m sure you ge... Read full article

Dodsworth (1)

By Eric on Feb 27, 2013 From Classic Film Talk

Once in a while I see a film that surprises me. Dodsworth, from 1936 is one of these. It is easily one of the best films I’ve seen, all the more so because of it’s era. Movies from the 30s tend to have that overacted sentimentality, with sing-song speaking patterns from the women and bra... Read full article

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Dodsworth Quotes:

Fran Dodsworth: Remember, I, I did make a home for you once, and I'll do it again, only you've got to let me have my fling now! Because you're simply rushing at old age, Sam, and I'm not ready for that yet.
Sam Dodsworth: You'll have to stop getting younger someday.
[first lines]
Secretary: [offscreen] Mr. Dodsworth?
Sam Dodsworth: Yes.
Secretary: The men are ready.
Baroness Von Obersdorf: [to Fran] Have you thought how little happiness there can be for the... *old* wife... of a young husband?
Sam Dodsworth: Love has got to stop some place short of suicide.
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Dodsworth Facts
The play opened on Broadway on 24 February 1934 and had 315 performances. Walter Huston, Harlan Briggs and Charles Halton reprised their stage roles in the film, but Halton's footage was cut from the final print. Also in the opening-night cast were Fay Bainter as Fran Dodsworth, Hal K. Dawson, Beatrice Maude (also in the film), Ivan Miller, Kent Smith, Ninetta Sunderland (Huston's real-life wife) and Frederick Worlock.
Mary Astor wrote in her memoirs that Edith Cortright was her favorite role, also reflecting that she channeled her struggle of her public divorce into her role: "When I went into court and faced the bedlam...that would have broken me up completely, I kept the little pot boiling that was Edith Cortright."
David Mamet, in his book "Bambi vs. Godzilla", cites this film as one of his favorites.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 1, 1943 with Walter Huston reprising his film role.
"Theater Guild on the Air" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 6, 1946 with Walter Huston reprising his film role.
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