The Good Earth (1937)
It’s very hard for me to hold an unbiased opinion of The Good Earth when I don’t like the story or the protagonist or the message. Given what Hollywood had to work with, and chose not to change, I can recognize that this was a very well crafted film. The classic locust sequence is still impressive even by today’s standards, and there are some shots I don’t know how director Sidney Franklin filmed.
Luise Rainer, terribly miscast as the strong, useful Olan, gave an odd performance. Anne Revere would have been a better choice, since it would have been believable that she was a hard, useful worker. Luise seemed to choose to play her character as dim-witted, even though she wasn’t supposed to be. She’s supposed to bow her head and bear a life of suffering, but half the time Luise looks brain damaged, and half the time she looks like she’s keeping score and waiting to smugly take her revenge.
Paul Muni was reluctant to take the role, famously claiming he was “as Chinese as Herbert Hoover,” but knew that in 1937, Hollywood wouldn’t take a chance on an unknown, authentic actor. Paul certainly had star power, and from his opening scene, his energy overwhelms the screen. His character is also altered from the novel, and he’s much more likable on the screen. His character undergoes great change, showing the many facets of his acting. He starts off innocent and hopeful, and eventually shows desperation, anger, despair, overwhelming yet embarrassing lust, and of course, Paul’s specialty: age. With all these emotions, it’s no wonder Paul won his second Hot Toasty Rag Award. At the 1937 Academy Awards, he wasn’t even nominated for this performance.
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More Paul Muni movies here!
Luise Rainer, terribly miscast as the strong, useful Olan, gave an odd performance. Anne Revere would have been a better choice, since it would have been believable that she was a hard, useful worker. Luise seemed to choose to play her character as dim-witted, even though she wasn’t supposed to be. She’s supposed to bow her head and bear a life of suffering, but half the time Luise looks brain damaged, and half the time she looks like she’s keeping score and waiting to smugly take her revenge.
Paul Muni was reluctant to take the role, famously claiming he was “as Chinese as Herbert Hoover,” but knew that in 1937, Hollywood wouldn’t take a chance on an unknown, authentic actor. Paul certainly had star power, and from his opening scene, his energy overwhelms the screen. His character is also altered from the novel, and he’s much more likable on the screen. His character undergoes great change, showing the many facets of his acting. He starts off innocent and hopeful, and eventually shows desperation, anger, despair, overwhelming yet embarrassing lust, and of course, Paul’s specialty: age. With all these emotions, it’s no wonder Paul won his second Hot Toasty Rag Award. At the 1937 Academy Awards, he wasn’t even nominated for this performance.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "daniel dona" for posting!
More Paul Muni movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Actor of 1937: Paul Muni
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Sidney Franklin
Best Actress: Luise Rainer
Best Actor of 1937: Paul Muni
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Sidney Franklin
Best Actress: Luise Rainer