The 1936 version of "The Three Godfathers" may be compared to the 1948 remake in somewhat the same manner as the 1940 "Love Affair" is often compared to the 1957 "An Affair To Remember". A black and white classic is remade in Technicolor with the advantage of advanced technology. Here the comparisons part company. The director of the original film gave way to a much more noted director and the lead role gave way to a much bigger box office draw. The biggest divergence came with the climax. This 1936 version opted to remain faithful to the author. The later version appeared to succumb to preview popularity.
When one mentions the name Chester Morris, most old timers will respond with 'Boston Blackie'. But with this role and his subsequent appearance in the classic "Five Came Back", he has managed to edge into the book of classics.
Lewis Stone and Walter Brennan play wonderfully off of each other although the former seems to have the lion's share of lines.
Irene Hervey is the brief love interest. Miss Hervey was known more popularly as Mrs. Allan Jones, the mother of Jack Jones.
Sidney Toler appears briefly prior to his succession to the role of Charlie Chan.
This film does not have the grittiness of the 1930 "Hell's Heroes" nor the slickness of the 1948 version but because of its tautness and faithfulness to the author's intent, it is a very satisfactory experience. One is left with a feeling of 'all's right with the world'. To fully appreciate P.B. Kyne's novella, watch this version before the 1948 version and also the 1930 version('Hell's Heroes') if you can catch it.
When one mentions the name Chester Morris, most old timers will respond with 'Boston Blackie'. But with this role and his subsequent appearance in the classic "Five Came Back", he has managed to edge into the book of classics.
Lewis Stone and Walter Brennan play wonderfully off of each other although the former seems to have the lion's share of lines.
Irene Hervey is the brief love interest. Miss Hervey was known more popularly as Mrs. Allan Jones, the mother of Jack Jones.
Sidney Toler appears briefly prior to his succession to the role of Charlie Chan.
This film does not have the grittiness of the 1930 "Hell's Heroes" nor the slickness of the 1948 version but because of its tautness and faithfulness to the author's intent, it is a very satisfactory experience. One is left with a feeling of 'all's right with the world'. To fully appreciate P.B. Kyne's novella, watch this version before the 1948 version and also the 1930 version('Hell's Heroes') if you can catch it.