San Francisco

Name: San Francisco
Director: W.S. Van Dyke
Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
Released: 1936-01-01
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, Spencer Tracy, Jack Holt, Jessie Ralph

1936Dir. W.S. Van Dyke1h 55m

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Runtime1h 55m

Released1936

Budget$1.3M

Box office$5.3M

DirectorW.S. Van Dyke

About This Movie

So, 'San Francisco' from 1936 is really quite the piece, isn't it? W.S. Van Dyke crafts a world that's both gritty and vibrant, capturing the Barbary Coast’s rough edges and its lively atmosphere. The performances, especially from Jeanette MacDonald and Clark Gable, have this electric tension that keeps you engaged. The pacing feels deliberate, letting the music and drama breathe before that cataclysmic earthquake shakes everything up. You get this interesting blend of romance and moral conflict, played out against a backdrop of impending disaster. And the practical effects for the earthquake? They’re surprisingly effective for the time, adding a raw intensity that heightens the film’s emotional stakes. Just an immersive experience from start to finish.

Features impressive practical effects for the era.Strong performances by Gable and MacDonald.Richly captures the spirit of early 20th century San Francisco.