The Sisters (1938)

. . . please please PLEAE do NOT confuse viewers by posting actual lingering shots of chapter-opening pages, leaving them on-screen long enough for even watchers WITHOUT a "pause" function to take in sentences which completely confuse folks just wanting to watch a flick (and who would have BOUGHT THE BOOK, if that was their intention). It's okay to have some fine print in your opening credits to specify what connection, if any, your film has to a printed story (often of the same name as the motion picture). But it's probably NEVER smart to reduce your feature film to Kindle-like marginalia on an interactive E-book page. That's essentially what Warner Bros. does in adapting its version of Myron Brinig's novel, THE SISTERS. This movie begins with a lingering shot of the novel's first page, followed by many other such static "scenes." About 54 minutes, 5 seconds into SISTERS we're up to "Chapter 12." However, more than 26 minutes later (or at 1:20:25, to be precise), we're back at "Chapter 10"! Worse yet, the first sentence of this EARLIER chapter is "Two years passed." Did Warner Bros. just slip into a TIME MACHINE when no one was looking?! What the heck just happened, and WHEN are we?! THE SISTERS teaches us that Charles W. Fairbanks was America's Vice President from 1905-1909, and that James S. Sherman held that job for the following four years--but not much else.

Bette Davis (as Louise Elliott) is a Montana woman who marries San Franciscan sports reporter Errol Flynn (as Frank Medlin). Her sisters Anita Louise (as Helen), and Jane Bryan (as Grace) marry at the same time; the three sisters find wedded bliss is short-lived. Supporting floozies Lee Patrick and Laura Hope Crews are a very well-matched mother and daughter tag-team who befriend the deserted "Louise".Whatever the film's original intentions may have been, it is really about ONE sister; naturally, it's the sister played by Bette Davis, and HER marriage to the character played by Errol Flynn. The stars are in fine form as the love-struck young couple who hit on hard times. Ms. Davis is refreshing as a housewife who becomes ill in a smoke-filled boxing arena, and Mr. Flynn is convincing as the husband who drinks to heal his wounded pride. Flynn asks a significant question about his character: why did marriage make his wife strong, and himself weak? Similarly, the objective of "The Sisters" as a film is strong, and the story weak. Yet, the production level is high; and, historical events like Presidential elections (Roosevelt, Taft) and the San Francisco earthquake are used to great advantage. ****** The Sisters (1938) Anatole Litvak ~ Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Anita Louise

Everyone is familiar with Bette Davis's great movies like Jezebel, the letter and all about eve, but this one continues to go unnoticed. The reason I like this movie was because it was refreshing to see Bette play a sweet and compassionate female lead. Unfortunately, that was not how she was known by her peers. Whatever the case may be, she gave her all in her work. Because of her efforts, her legacy in cinema history is unrivaled.This movie illuminates the difficulties that married men encounter. Struggling to provide for your household can be very humbling indeed. However, Bette's character in this movie shows us how compassion, resiliency and optimism can hold a marriage together.

"The Sisters" is not seen often these days. It is a curiosity piece because it's a minor Bette Davis film in which she plays an ordinary woman, a departure from some of her other more intense dramas we are more accustomed to seeing. As directed by Anatole Litvak, the film doesn't show anything new.The story about the Eliott sisters from Montana, is mildly interesting. The Eliott household is a happy one. We see them at the beginning of the film as they are preparing for the election night ball in their small town in which Theodore Roosevelt is the winner in the presidential race. The three sisters make a quite an attraction among the young male population because their good looks.What appears to be a nice family when we first meet them, suddenly fades into memory as the three sisters go in different directions, as life intervenes along the way. Louise, the older sister, proves to be a survivor, if only she has to experience a lot in her own life before real happiness can be achieved. Helen, the beautiful middle sister, marries an older man who offers her security. Grace, the younger one, is the only one to stay in town and marries Tom.Louise experiences the worst fate of all the sisters when she finds herself abandoned in San Francisco by her husband Frank. He wants to get away from the scene of his failure in order to prove himself worthy of Louise's love. By going overseas as a merchant seaman, he wants to see if he can make any good out himself. Louise is in the middle of the 1906 earthquake and loses all she had.At the end, all sisters are back home on another election night ball as they watch Willliam Taft being proclaimed as president of the nation. Their lives come together at the end, as all find peace.The most exciting time in the film centers around the vivid scenes of the San Francisco earthquake. It's done in a realistic manner. Louise is helped by the next door neighbor, a woman of easy morals, who turned out to be a real friend.The performances are good, but don't expect any sparks from the subdued Louise of Bette Davis. Ms. Davis gives a nuanced performance. The problem is, one expected an over the top star turn by the actress, and her Louise is the epitome of common sense and kindness. Errol Flynn, as Frank, the deserting husband, is seen in a different role as well. He is not as dashing and debonair as in his signature performances, but in spite of playing against type, his take on Frank gives another dimension of his acting range.The beautiful Anita Louise makes an interesting contribution to the film. Ian Hunter as the kind Mr. Benson, also adds to the picture. The wonderful Lee Patrick plays Flora, the good neighbor, with conviction. Donald Crisp makes another great appearance as Frank's friend. Henry Travers and Beulah Bondi are seen as the Eliott sister's parents. Jane Bryan, as Grace has some good moments, but she is eclipsed by the more interesting older sisters.This is a film to watch Bette Davis and Errol Flynn playing roles that are completely different from others we are used to see them in.