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      The Big City

      1937 1h 20m Drama List
      Reviews 70% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score A deadly misunderstanding lands upstanding cab driver John Benton (Spencer Tracy) and his Russian-born wife, Anna (Luise Rainer), in the midst of a war between a mob-connected taxi company and New York City's independent cabbies. When Anna's brother, Paul (Victor Varconi), a new hire at the corrupt cab firm, is killed in a garage bombing, she becomes the prime suspect in her brother's death. Joe and his fellow cabbies join forces to uncover the real bomber and save Anna from deportation. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine Luise Rainer and Spencer Tracy in a noble try at a film about the life of a taxi-driver. Doesn't jell. Apr 21, 2020 Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine The impression one receives is that the author first got the notion of getting all these sporting celebrities together, and then made up his story. Jul 22, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (5) audience reviews
      The S Real fun movie with rare screen appearances by Jimmy McLarnin, George Godfrey, Jim Thorpe, and many other athletes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/17/24 Full Review Audience Member Not a classic in any sense of the word, still worth seeing for MGM's attempt to make a good guy vs. the government picture. The big star in 1937 was Luise Rainer, having just won the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of Anna Held in one of the most celebrated films of all time "The Great Ziegfeld". She was to win a consecutive Oscar in 1937 for best actress, becoming the first actor to do so in the history of the academy. Spencer Tracy, still in his formative days and not as well known, is given second billing. This film was a disappointment as nothing gelled as expected, and there was little drama to make it interesting. While this was not a great movie, it was a very early attempt at the good guy fights corruption theme. For that reason, you may want to see it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member "Big city" has a bizarre cast and credits showing cartoons Winnie Winkle style .But it's not a comedy.Once again ,it's a drama showing the fight of two lovers against a hostile world.Both Spencer Tracy and Luise Raiser(her eyes are so beautiful) give outstanding performances .Once again,Borzage teaches us real love,true love,pure love ,this love which leads you to sacrifice everything (Anna calling the Police)so the others can go on.He shows us men and women all standing together against the High and the Mighty.Recalling sometimes his great silent work "street angel" (1927)when Tracy visits his wife on the boat about to take her away from him.The final rumble may seem too long ,but after so much pain,it's a sweet relief.Humor is also present in the scene of the bottle of milk.Monsieur Borzage,you were a great man. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Worth seeing just for the cameos. Tracy is a cabbie who has recently married an immigrant, and shares his cab with the new brother-in-law. Taxi companies are desperate for business though, and trouble soon follows! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member gr8 chemistry between the leads here Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Big City

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis A deadly misunderstanding lands upstanding cab driver John Benton (Spencer Tracy) and his Russian-born wife, Anna (Luise Rainer), in the midst of a war between a mob-connected taxi company and New York City's independent cabbies. When Anna's brother, Paul (Victor Varconi), a new hire at the corrupt cab firm, is killed in a garage bombing, she becomes the prime suspect in her brother's death. Joe and his fellow cabbies join forces to uncover the real bomber and save Anna from deportation.
      Director
      Frank Borzage
      Production Co
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 20m