Red Dust (1932)

Brilliant cinematography for this period, iconic pre code banter for this period and outstanding performances by Mary Astor and Jean Harlow, two of the period's leading ladies alone assure this famous film a Hollywood classic. Clark Gable, Gene Raymond and Donald Crisp are the three leading men who perform up to the task but are certainly no match for the star women especially when Harlow and Astor have the camera to themselves. The plot is an oft repeated one of the period. A European couple whose husband is ill and whose wife is prim and proper travel to an exotic location on which they confront in melodrama a hard boiled work site manager and a hard boiled dame on the run.

Golden Age fans will love this one, a Pre-Code film that's much like a filmed stage play - in fact, it's based on a play which, by all accounts was even racier than the movie. It was made in 1932 and certainly couldn't pass muster after the inception of the Hays Office, but nowadays anything goes; odd someone hasn't tried. They would be hard-pressed, though, to find a better cast, especially the two principals. Gable and Harlow are perfect together, the animal magnetism fairly leaping off the screen. Gable was the very model of modern masculinity at the time, and Harlow his female counterpart.Some reviewers noted an element of racism woven throughout the picture, but they should give it a rest. The world in general and society in particular were vastly different from the modern PC era. Also of interest is the support cast, headed by Mary Astor, who admittedly was a better actress than Harlow but minus the manifest 'feminine wiles'. In a departure from more dignified roles, Donald Crisp plays vulgar drunk and to excellent effect.Have you seen it? If not, do so. It's well worth your time just to see how the 'pros' used to do it, inherent plot flaws notwithstanding.

Red Dust (1932) *** (out of 4) Victor Fleming film has Clark Gable playing a tough as nails rubber plantation owner who has a fling with a blonde (Jean Harlow) but falls in love with a married woman (Mary Astor). Here's another film I've been meaning to watch for quite a while now and it was worth the wait, although I was hoping it would be somewhat better. The film's biggest asset is the terrific cast who all give wonderful performances. This is just the type of role Gable was born to play and he has terrific chemistry with both Harlow and Astor. Gable manages to be quite a jerk but also tender at the same time, which is what made him so legendary. Harlow is very funny in her role and Astor steals the show as the woman getting in over her head. The Pre-Code elements are also very strong with Harlow constantly showing off her body and the scene in the tub is priceless. The underline sex going on throughout the film also sets it apart from other movies of its time. I think the weakest thing was some of the plot, which is pretty familiar but the ending certainly packs a nice little punch and it somewhat made me curious if the writers of Casablanca were influenced by it.

069: Red Dust (1932) - released 10/22/1932; viewed 6/24/06.KEVIN: We first saw Gable at the premiere of 'Grand Hotel' on that film's DVD. He doesn't seem to have a warming up period in this film, but is instead already at the top of his game here as Dennis, the rubber plantation owner. As is Jean Harlow, who we've seen three times before but never as cool or as sassy as she is here playing floozy Vantine (what a great name). Mary Astor (as Barbara) and Jean Harlow make an excellent pair and there's great contrast in their two characters. I got excited when they first appeared on screen together, because I knew things were going to get interesting. The character of Gary, Barbara's husband, is kind of underutilized, mainly because there's all this dysfunction going on around him and he's unaware of it. The climax definitely caught me off guard. I didn't expect Barbara to shoot him. The ending felt kind of abrupt. I say kind of, because I did feel it coming. When I felt it coming I was surprised that that was the end. I thought, "Hmm...well, I guess there's really nothing more to say." I haven't seen a film this lean on story since 'Anna Christie.'DOUG: Sex and passion flow at an Indochina rubber plantation in Victor Fleming's steamy Pre-Code drama 'Red Dust.' This film introduces us to Clark Gable, who's without his mustache at this point. He also doesn't wear an undershirt (as we see again in 'It Happened One Night'). No warm up is needed, as Gable is already acting at the top of his game. This is the forth film we've seen Jean Harlow in (after 'Hell's Angels,' 'The Public Enemy,' 'The Platinum Blonde'), and she finally gets a really juicy role here. She's very sassy, dropping one snarky and suggestive one-liner after another. I just barely recognized Donald Crisp, who was so wonderfully scary way back in 'Broken Blossoms.' My only real problem with the movie was the character of Hoy, played by Willie Fung, who does everything he can to offend Chinese people everywhere every moment he's on screen. The ending is a bit abrupt, but it's basically a happy one for all (even though somebody gets shot). I didn't think she was going to shoot him either. I fear that in watching all these Pre-Code movies together, we're taking all the things that could make it onto the screen for granted. It will be a sad time indeed when we reach the point where the Code is enforced and all the juicy violence, bawdy language, nudity, and kissing will abruptly vanish.Last film: Trouble in Paradise (1932). Next film: Night After Night (1932).