Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Courtroom Drama
- Frances Dee Films
- Josef von Sternberg Films
- Love Triangle
- Plot to Murder
- Social Climbers
- Sylvia Sidney Films
Review:
Josef von Sternberg’s adaptation of Theodore Dreiser’s monumental 1925 novel was in some ways destined to disappoint, given the need to condense two volumes (over 800 pages) into a manageable running time — and, sure enough, Dreiser himself disapproved of the film. These days, viewers are likely most familiar with George Stevens’ 1951 adaptation of the book — A Place in the Sun (starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters) — primarily because von Sternberg’s earlier version is so hard to locate. Of the two versions, von Sternberg’s is ultimately more faithful to the original text — and less sympathetic to the central protagonist (Holmes), whose cowardly, selfish actions remain truly difficult to watch.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Cowardly-1024x617.png)
While Holmes’ performance is less than impressive (he tends to read his lines rather than embody them), he does manage to convey the sniveling callowness of a self-absorbed pretty boy.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Holmes-1024x630.png)
Of the lead performers, however, Sylvia Sidney ultimately comes across the best:
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Sidney2-1024x599.png)
Unlike her counterpart in A Place in the Sun (Winters), Sidney’s “Bert” is truly a sympathetic innocent: a hardworking girl who wants nothing more than a chance at romance with her handsome boss. She resists sex at first, but gives in once she realizes that their tenuous relationship won’t continue without it; later, she’s willing to give Holmes up as long as he’ll marry her and give her baby a good name. While she’s naively desperate, she’s far from shrewish, and it’s genuinely painful to know she’s destined for a watery grave.
Speaking of such spoilers, the fact that audience members (then and now) already know the outcome of this most famous of American stories (based on the real-life story of Chester Gillette) contributes to the film’s ultimate failure to impress. By the final third of the movie — an extended courtroom sequence — we’re anxious to see Holmes get his due, but are forced to sit through a series of painful lies and distortions before things finally wrap up.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Courtroom-1024x629.png)
The presence of Holmes’ mother (Claire McDowell) in the final scenes:
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Mother-1024x631.png)
… hints at the larger theme of Dreiser’s novel — that Clyde’s poverty-stricken upbringing contributed towards his desperate need to climb socially — which unfortunately is barely touched upon. While competent, this early von Sternberg film doesn’t provide enough evidence of his burgeoning style to make it a must-see entry in his canon — though it’s certainly worth a look.
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Sylvia Sidney as “Bert” (Peary nominates her as Best Actress of the Year in his Alternate Oscars book.)
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/American-Tragedy-Sydney-1024x617.png)
Must See?
No, but it’s worth a look if you can locate a copy.
Links:
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