In 1936, Clark Gable made a very successful film called “San Francisco.” Starring alongside Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy, he played a tough nightclub owner on the Barbary Coast around the turn of the century. His character runs for public office to clean things up in the low rent district. Fourteen years later, he played a similar character in a modern-set film, “Key to the City” (1950).
This MGM film also starred Loretta Young, Marilyn Maxwell, and Frank Morgan. This was the second time Gable was paired with Loretta Young, since they had made “Scandal” in 1939. During the making of this earlier film, the two actors had an affair, from which Loretta’s daughter, Judy Lewis, was the result. The whole thing was kept secret, but MGM executive producer Dore Schary was aware of it when he suggested the new film to Miss Young, who later privately said that Gable took advantage of her. However, she agreed to make the film to avoid scandal, according to IMDb trivia.
This is a charming romance about people from very different backgrounds who find true love when they least expect it. It also contains surprisingly serious political themes, which are still very relevant.
A San Francisco Story
This story takes place in San Francisco during a mayors’ convention, which attracts mayors from all over the country. It seems the purpose of this get-together is for mayors from different parts of the United States to meet each other, spread goodwill about their respective cities, and buy things for their communities. Among them is a very lovely, refined female mayor from Wenonah, Maine, Clarissa Standish (Young). The other main mayor in the story is Steve Fisk (Gable), a two-fisted ex-longshoreman from San Francisco who is trying to clean up corruption in his territory of Puget City. He’s accompanied at the convention by his best friend, Fire Chief Duggan (Morgan).Clarissa goes to Steve’s room, having been informed by Duggan that a meeting is taking place there. By the time she arrives, however, Steve has cancelled the meeting. He mistakes her for a nightclub entertainer, the Atom Dancer (Marilyn Maxwell), with whom he has a date. When the confusion is cleared up, Clarissa tries to hold him to proper parliamentary procedure on holding a meeting. At her request, he sets up a meeting in a public place. Clarissa is horrified when she arrives at the address he provided, only to find out that it is a cheap nightclub in Chinatown called the Blue Goose, where the Atom Dancer performs. The meeting quickly ends, and the Blue Goose ends up getting raided. Although they try to escape out the back way, the two mayors end up getting arrested.
Draining the Fishpond
Mayor Steve Fisk is trying to clean up the politics of Puget City, but he’s fighting a corrupt political machine run by Eddie Smith. Steve showed everyone he was boss when he threw certain corrupt members of the city council in the fishpond outside city hall, but Smith, an unseen character who is frequently discussed, is still trying to run the city for his own interests. Steve’s biggest campaign promise was low-income housing, but Smith won’t let the project come to fruition unless the city uses his construction company. Steve refuses to let Smith line his pockets while endangering citizens’ lives by cutting corners in construction.Smith sends henchman Les Taggart (Raymond Burr) to San Francisco to obtain Steve’s signature on the bill, but the mayor is on to his fellow ex-longshoreman’s tricks. For a moment, it seems like Taggart has trapped Steve into compromising. However, Steve Fisk is a great example of a public servant who truly understands his job. He isn’t a politician; he’s a plain man of the people. He’s more concerned about getting things done than getting reelected. He’d rather lose his position because he tried to do the right thing than keep it by giving way to corruption.
At the beginning of the film, Clarissa sees Steve making a speech on television. She is obviously impressed by his statements that the convention is for getting things done, not having a good time. When she meets him, she’s disappointed to hear him say that he just said that because it made a good speech. As a Harvard-educated lawyer with an impressive government background, the Maine mayor strongly believes in the importance of duty as a public servant. She learned this serious attitude from her guardian, whom she affectionately calls Uncle Silas. However, her uncle is dismayed that she’s let her legal pursuits keep love out of her life. He advises her, “Public service is a fine thing, Clarrie, but you can’t cuddle up to it on a cold winter’s night.” Ultimately, Steve and Clarissa are drawn to each other because they strike the right balance. They both believe in serving the people and doing their duties, but her seriousness balances his carefree attitude, and vice versa.
Back to San Francisco
During the opening credits, the strains of “San Francisco,” the theme song from the 1936 film, play proudly. That melody is used as background music throughout the film, paying tribute to the popular song which became an anthem of the city. It’s also an interesting homage to Gable’s earlier film, which similarly had him fall in love with a proper young lady from out of town. The scenes in Chinatown weren’t filmed on a soundstage. They were actually shot on location in Chinatown—the one in Los Angeles, that is. For instance, the night club scenes at The Blue Goose were filmed at the historic Rice Bowl restaurant on Sun Mun Way. Although the scenery wasn’t really in San Francisco, it added a nice touch of authenticity to this tribute to The City by the Bay.There are lots of wonderful moments to enjoy over and over again, including some very comical scenarios. Most of these are provided by Frank Morgan, in what was sadly his last role before his death. As Fire Chief Duggan, he colors his usual bumbling antics with a strong Irish brogue, which is convincing enough to make you believe that his birth name actually was Morgan instead of Wupperman. He doubtless perfected his accent by listening to his real Hibernian friends in the “Irish Mafia,” of which he was a member. His interactions in this movie with Clark Gable, his friend in real life, are great!
This is a warm, funny, and poignant story. The acting, clever dialogue, and unusual premise make it worth watching. Besides the excellent cast, you’ll enjoy the lighthearted handling of serious political topics. I’m sure we can all think of a few politicians who need to be thrown in fishponds!
