THREE COMRADES
US, 1938. 98 minutes, Black and white.
Margaret Sullavan, Robert Taylor, Robert Young, Franchot Tone, Guy Kibbee, Lionel Atwill, Henry Hull, Charley Grapewin.
Directed by Frank Borzage.
Three Comrades is a pleasing 1930s romantic melodrama. It was based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, (All Quiet on the Western Front). Once the audience is able to accept the leads, all playing genially, as Germans, the film is acceptable as entertainment - with some point about emerging Nazism. (Commentators note that the film, produced in 1938, was toned down by censors in its anti-Nazi stand.)
Co-author of the screenplay was F. Scott Fitzgerald. There is a romantic score by Franz Waxman and the usual gloss and, production values. Robert Taylor, after Camille and other romantic leads, was emerging as an important star at MGM. Margaret Sullavan exercises her particular charm in the central role of an aristocrat, impoverished and suffering from tuberculosis - and deciding to end her own life. She was to be teamed with Robert Young in The Mortal Storm, also about Germany and Nazis. James Stewart was the star and appeared with her at this time also in Shopworn Angel and Shop Around the Corner. Monty Woolley appears in a small role as a kind doctor. The film shows its age - but is an example of popular MGM entertainment of the '30s.
1. The impact of the German themes for the '30s? Romantic themes? Satisfying romantic entertainment?
2. Production values: German atmosphere, studio sets? Black and white photography? Romantic pace? The musical score? The romantic attitudes of director Frank Borzage? The work of F. Scott Fitzgerald? The popularity of the novels of Erich Maria Remarque - and his insight into human nature, his attitudes towards Germany?
3. The focus of the title - Patricia as centre, the three men as her close friends, the bonds between the three? An engaging portrait of love and friendship?
4. The focus on Germany at the end of World War One? Defeat? The young officer wanting to call the major his father because the war had ended? The attitude of defeated Germany? The portrait of the three friends and the influence of the war on their lives, the lives that they had missed out on, their hopes as they returned? The growing unease in Germany after the war? The temptation to be self preoccupied? To ignore social disturbances? The film's alerting audiences to social unrest, street rallies, riots and killings? The film's relevance for Germany of the late 1930s?
5. The portrait of the three men and their friendship? Their sharing of war experience? Their hopes after the war? Their work in the repair shop? Building their car 'Baby'? The mutual respect, the helping of one another, the friendship towards Pat and their love for her? Self-sacrifice?
6. Pat as the focus of the friendship? Her relationship with Breuer and the car ride? The enjoyment of the company of the three? Erich and his attentions, his phone call, her proposing the outing? Their shared enjoyment? The social entertainment - Erich making a fool of himself with dancing and his makepiece suit, Breuer laughing at him? Pat's return? Her discussions with Otto and his persuading her to marry Erich? The support of Gottfried? The friendship with Alrons and Pat's visit to his cafe? The place and the happy ceremony? The romantic trip, the beach, the honeymoon, the press-up and Pat's illness? The ride by Dr. Jaffe? Her going to the sanatorium, her return home and 'the happiness with Erich? Her asking him to come before the operation? Her attitude towards the operation? Her decision to die? The final talk with Erich - and her going out to watch him and into the snow to die?
7. Erich: Robert Taylor as romantic lead? Dashing war hero? Work in the repair shop? His attitude towards Germany and life, disappointments, drinking? The instant falling in love with Pat, his awkwardness, her calling him, a baby? The phone call, the outing, Alfons' cafe? His embarrassment at his social awkwardness, drinking, finding Pat at the door? The happiness of the wedding? The honeymoon, his concern about her illness, discovering the truth? His concern about Gottfried and his being shot in the demonstration? Otto's selling the car for Patricia? His grief at her death?
8. Otto as friend? His blowing up his plane at the end of the war? His building the car, his speed in driving? The clash with Breuer? His wanting to ignore social situations? His support of his two friends? The serious discussions with Patricia and his persuading her to marry Erich? Patricia's knowing the truth about his selling of the car, Gottfried's death? His staunch friendship for both - in avenging Gottfried, in selling the car for Erich and Pat?
9. Gottfried and his idealism, the impact of the war, social concern, involvement in Left-wing groups, the speechmaker and his rescuing him, his being shot? His being considered an honourable man and concerned about causes?
10. The humour with Alfons and his cafe and love for choir music? The local doctor and his concern? The doctor's helping Pat? The people at the sanatorium? Dr. Jaffe and his rushed trip, concern for her?
11. The importance of her decision to die? Her right to die? Her not wanting to linger?
12. Themes of friendship? Loyalty? Love - within the German context? The impact of the spirit of Gottfried and Pat joining Otto and Erich at the end?
