La barriera d'oro

Except for a contract obligation, I don't know why Joan Bennett would have taken her part in Nob Hill. Perhaps she thought she had signed on as the female lead, or perhaps they changed the screenplay after she had agreed to participate. Joan isn't given anything to do except be very forward for the time period (aka slutty) and snobbish. Vivien Blaine is the heroine of the story from page one. She is the one who loves George Raft unconditionally even when the entire town turns against him, she takes Peggy Ann under her wing, and she warns George that the people he thinks are his friends are really trying to use him for political gain. If you don't like Vivien, you will not like this movie.

Peggy Ann Garner is very cute, with as many endearing expressions as the screenplay calls for. She's an Irish orphan who comes to San Francisco with a note around her neck hoping to meet her uncle. She loves everything about America, the beautiful clothes, scenery, and houses; it isn't long before George's heart melts. He wants to give her everything, even a plot of land on Nob Hill. But with deep class distinction, it might not be possible.

I liked seeing George in a different, sweeter role that was different from his usual gangster persona. The costumes, filmed in Technicolor, are beautiful, and the heart of the story is a timeless one. But I'm much more of a Joan Bennett fan than a Vivien Blaine fan, so I knew I'd be disappointed.