Discussion of "Dodsworth"

Dodsworth (1936) is an American drama film directed by William Wyler, and starring Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas, Mary Astor, and David Niven. The screenplay by Sidney Howard is based on the stage adaptation of the 1929 novel by Sinclair Lewis. Houston starred in the stage version and recreated his role in film.

The film centers on the marriage of retired auto magnate Samuel Dodsworth (Huston) and his wife Fran (Chatterton). While on a trip to Europe, the couple discovers they want different things. On the RMS Queen Mary, Sam meets divorcee Edith Cortright (Astor). Edith and Sam hit it off but their relationship is one of friendship. As Sam and Fran arrive in Europe, their marriage is strained, partly due to Fran’s dissatisfaction with what she considers their dull social life. Fran decides to stay in Europe while Sam returns to America.

While in America, Sam is confronted with the “gossip” about Fran and playboy Arnold Iselin (Lukas). He returns to Europe to see if he and Fran have a future together.

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