Coming up next is 1935's "Mississippi" starring Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields, and Joan Bennett. A man who is branded a coward joins a Mississippi showboat. His reputation is built up as one of the most fierce gunfighters in the region. Once he returns to the plantation he left to claim the woman he loves, all bets are off. The film's supporting cast includes Queenie Smith, Gail Patrick, Claude Gillingwater, John Miljan, Edward Pawley, and Fred Kohler.
The story begins at the Mississippi plantation of General Rumford. His eldest daughter, Elvira, is to announce her engagement to Tom (Crosby) that evening.
The evening's entertainment is set to be provided by a Mississippi showboat troupe headed by Commodore Jackson (Fields). While they are on their way to the Rumford plantation, they stop when they see ruckus happening.
It's a duel being fought by Major Patterson and an opponent. Major Patterson and his brother have killed forty men between them in duels and are not to be trifled with. Major Patterson kills this opponent as well. The showboat troupe hurries on to the party.
General Rumford, concerned that Tom is more Philadelphian than Southern, gifts his soon-to-be son-in-law with a pair of dueling pistols. He says it's a Southern way of life that Tom has got to be familiar with. Tom thanks him, but says he doesn't believe in dueling.
While he's singing at the piano while his fiancee's sister Lucy (Bennett) watches, Tom is overheard by Commodore Jackson, who offers him a job on the spot with the showboat. Tom declines, but the Commodore says his offer is good for whenever Tom wants to join.
Tom's engagement to Elvira Rumford is announced that evening at the party. At the time of the announcement, Lucy is watching the proceedings from a doorway and looking very sad at the thought that Tom will marry her sister.
A group of kids from the showboat sing "Little David Play On Your Harp". They also begin to sing "Swanee River", and at Elvira's bequest, Tom joins them.
It's very beautifully done, and the entire audience is enchanted with Tom's singing.
Major Patterson arrives at the party. Taking General Rumford aside, he tells him that before he left Elvira told him she loved him and Tom had no business being engaged to her. General Rumford calls Tom out to meet the men, and they tell him why they've come. Major Patterson challenges him to a duel.
Tom absolutely refuses to fight, saying he doesn't believe in it. Major Patterson brands him a "coward", and Elvira calls off the engagement. General Rumford orders Tom off the plantation.
As he leaves, Lucy walks Tom to the roadway. She tells him she loves him. He tells her she's just a kid, not even out of school. Lucy says she knows, but that doesn't change the fact she loves him. She asks Tom to give her a goodbye kiss before he leaves.
Tom catches up with the "River Queen" showboat troupe. Commodore Jackson is only too pleased to have him join the group.
After a card game in which Tom saves the Commodore's life, the Commodore tells him he's going to teach him everything he knows about fighting, not just with guns, but with words. "I guess I'm just not a killer at heart," Tom says. "You don't have to be," replies the Commodore. "Just make 'em think you are."
A notorious thug named Captain Blackie comes aboard and wants ten thousand dollars from the Commodore. He also takes an intense disliking to Tom. He says he'll be back that night and Tom better not be on the boat or he'll kill him.
That night, Tom goes on stage to sing "Down By The River". Everything goes well until Captain Blackie comes in and loudly demands that Tom quit singing. With the newfound confidence he got from his lessons with the Commodore, Tom tells him to be quiet. But Captain Blackie keeps heckling him.
They get into a knock-down drag-out fight. When Captain Blackie pulls a gun, there is a struggle, and the gun goes off. The shot kills Captain Blackie instantly.
Tom gets right back up on stage and has the audience return to their seats as he finishes his song.
The Commodore looks on proudly and in an instant an idea is born. He introduces Tom as the notorious Colonel Steele, the Singing Killer. As time goes on, the Commodore embellishes Tom's exploits into making him into one of the most feared gunfighters in the country.
Meanwhile, Lucy is disappointed as all of her letters to Tom have been returned unopened. She wonders where on Earth he could be.
Some time later, Lucy comes to the same hotel as the notorious Colonel Steele. She's not very keen on his being there, as rumor has it that he's just killed one of her Rumford cousins.
Tom begins singing on the hotel balcony. Not knowing that he is Colonel Steele and thrilled that he is there, Lucy goes to Tom and surprises him.
She invites him to escort her to the dance that evening. Reluctantly, Tom agrees. He notices how grown up she is, and they kiss. He also tries to warn her that he is Colonel Steele, but before he can, she whisks him off to the dance.
While they are outside, Lucy inadvertently finds out the truth. Tom has tried to tell her several times, but for some reason or another was always interrupted. Lucy is hurt and storms back to the Rumford plantation.
A bit later, Tom hears that Major Patterson's brother wants to marry Lucy. He threatens to quit the showboat. The Commodore tells him to go after Lucy with his blessing.
At the plantation, Lucy has locked herself in her room. Major Patterson and his brother confront Tom, but his confidence as Colonel Steele cause them to back down very quickly, ensuring that he is no longer branded a coward. He goes up to Lucy's room and threatens to break down the door if she won't come out and talk with him.
Of course, things work out and Lucy joins Tom on the showboat. He sings and they kiss. Cast rundown:
Claude Gillingwater..........................General Rumford
John Miljan.....................................Major Patterson
Edward Pawley................................Joe Patterson
Fred Kohler.....................................Captain Blackie And that's all for Mississippi. It's a very enjoyable film. The "Swanee River" scene is very beautifully sung and filmed. W.C. Fields is hilarious in his role as Commodore Jackson. Of particular humor is his repeated stories of his conquests in Indian Territory. The ending is hilarious when "Indians" actually show up on his boat! As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.
No comments:
Post a Comment