Jean Gabin, Ida Lupino & Claude Rains in "Moontide" (1942)

French-born dock worker Bobo (Jean Gabin) travels from town to town, performing odd jobs and getting drunk. He comes to San Pablo, California, to meet his Irish friend Tiny (Thomas Mitchell), who finds jobs for him, and Bobo spends the rest of the night drinking, fighting and flirting with a saloon girl, Mildred (Robin Raymond).
The next morning, Bobo awakens on a bait barge belonging to Henry Hirota (Chester Gan) and his son Takeo (Victor Sen Yung). Henry explains they met while Bobo was drunk, and that Bobo agreed to work for him.
A policeman, George (Ralph Dunn), comes by because Pop Kelly (Arthur Aylesworth), a grumpy old sailor whom Bobo also met, was choked to death during the night. Bobo is horrified, for he fears that he may be the culprit.
Bobo and Nutsy (Claude Rains), a philosophical night watchman, are walking on the beach when they see a woman trying to drown herself. Bobo rescues her, then protects her from a policeman trying to arrest her for attempting suicide. The woman is a waitress, Anna (Ida Lupino), bitter about Bobo's interference.
Anna, who has led a hard life, cheers up the next day and cooks breakfast for Bobo. Bobo fixes Dr. Frank Brothers' (Jerome Cowan) boat. Bobo decides to stay in San Pablo and make a home with Anna. The couple decide to marry.
Tiny implies to Anna that Bobo killed Pop, and that if Anna does not let Bobo go, he will tell the police. Anna questions Bobo about his past and Tiny. Tiny helped Bobo once and has been living off him ever since.
The next day, Nutsy acts as Bobo's best man, and Reverend Wilson (Ralph Byrd) marries Bobo and Anna. Their celebration is cut short by Brothers, whose boat has broken again. Anna is upset by the arrival of Tiny, who is more drunk than usual. She offers to keep paying him money each week, but repulses his attempts to kiss her. Tiny keeps advancing, warning her that she cannot tell Bobo or else he will inform the police that Bobo killed Pop. As he talks, Anna realizes that it was Tiny, not Bobo, who killed Pop, and her accusations enrage him.
When Bobo and Brothers return, they find the badly beaten Anna and rush her to the hospital. Bobo chases Tiny out onto the water break, and Tiny is washed out to sea by the waves. Bobo then returns to the hospital, where Nutsy informs him that Brothers has sent for a specialist and that Anna will live. Later, Brothers brings Anna to the barge, and Bobo carries her over the threshold.
A 1942 American Black & White romantic drama thriller film directed by Archie Mayo and Fritz Lang (uncredited), produced by Mark Hellinger, screenplay by John O'Hara and Nunnally Johnson (uncredited), based on Willard Robertson's 1940 novel "Moon Tide", cinematography by Charles G. Clarke and Lucien Ballard (uncredited), starring Jean Gabin, Ida Lupino, Thomas Mitchell, Claude Rains, Jerome Cowan, Helene Reynolds, Ralph Byrd, William Halligan, Victor Sen Yung, Chester Gan, Robin Raymond, Arthur Aylesworth, Arthur Hohl, John Kelly, Ralph Dunn, Tully Marshall, and Tom Dugan.
Archie Mayo took over direction after the initial director, Fritz Lang, left the project early in the shooting schedule.
Charles G. Clarke was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for black-and-white.
Moontide was meant to be a star-making vehicle for Gabin, who was celebrated in his home country, but obscure in the United States. The charismatic Gabin had been in a number of successful leading-man roles and had a hand in picking Robertson's story for adaptation to film. Willing to take a chance on him, Twentieth Century Fox bought the rights, despite the novel's themes of prostitution, rape, cannibalism and murder. The Motion Picture Production Code meant the studio had to drop most of the story. In the role of the nefarious Tiny, Mitchell was cast against type, having played Scarlet O'Hara's father in Gone with the Wind.
Soon after shooting began, director Fritz Lang left the project, rumored to be due to friction he had with Gabin regarding Marlene Dietrich, who had been involved with both men. It's not known which early footage is shot by Lang or replacement director Archie Mayo. The film's location on San Pablo Bay had to be scrapped after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the west coast was declared a security zone. A large studio set was filled with water for the barge scenes, giving the film an artificial, dream-like ambiance. The lighting, fog and wave effects, at times dingy and sinister or sparkling and romantic, led to Clarke's Oscar nomination for cinematography.
Surrealist Salvador Dalí was hired to create the drunken montage at the top of the story but his sketches were deemed too bizarre, and the scene was shot with only some of his influence (most likely the close-up of the clock, the headless woman) intact.
An illuminating link to one of the frequently overlooked sources of noir: the movement known as 'poetic realism', which flourished in France from the mid-1930s until the onslaught of war.

[@cherylvirden3073]

Ma. Lupino was a Triple Threat she act, directs and produced. Very Talented Lady . Ive watched her for years. Anything she contribute to was Exceptional! Thanks for the showing. Im Subscribed.

[@freemarketjoe9869]

I loved her in "Northwest passage" with Bogart, the first film I ever saw her in. She really was something!

[@cherylvirden3073]

@@freemarketjoe9869 I've seen it. And I 👍

[@richardbrowning8221]

Ida lupino was 60 yrs ahead of her time as the triple threat. And very easy on the eyes. A beauty, I was fortunate enough to grow up watching and being entertained by her for yrs. Who said you can't be pretty and smart all at the same time? She tamed Bogie in " High Sierra"!

[@cherylvirden3073]

@@richardbrowning8221 I also thought she was Beautiful.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. I posted "Road House" (1948) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooG8lJ6epdJ-bZY

[@wendybutler1681]

When I was just a kid my dad filled me in on Ms. Lupino's formidable credits. Going to the movies was just about the only thing to do indoors in Montana in the 1920s so dad was very familiar with the ladies of the screen. Never knew anything about their leading men, tho. He knew all the leading ladies!

[@flj-fp6rb]

Sounds like my kinda guy lol

[@donnieallums4847]

@@flj-fp6rbyep me too!☮️❤️

[@geoffreybudge3027]

And here I am watching this movie at 72 in northwestern Montana 👍👍👍

[@nedludd7622]

Claude Rains was one of the major stars of the period and Jean Gabin was one of the biggest stars in France. They were both excellent and made a number of movies.

[@c.a.savage5689]

​@@nedludd7622 Sadly, this isn't one of their more stellar films. Rains's character is called Nutsy? The whole scenario plays like something from a Popeye cartoon, minus the spinach...

[@jackiehathaway4097]

So cute ,watch it! Anything with Ida is a winner!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. I posted another Ida Lupino movie here: "Road House" (1948) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooG8lJ6epdJ-bZY

[@sharonpolikoff7282]

It's so amazing that the same Hollywood that once made wonderful films like this is turning out such junk now, and that there's an audience for it. I'm so thankful to people like you who find and present 'the good stuff.'

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. I appreciate your kind words, and your support.

[@juliemix3373]

I've seen many of Jean Gabin's films, but none when he was this young. This is great. Thank you very much for the English subtitles. Cheers

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@David-xd3hw]

Great characters and story. A true gem. Thank you.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@merewynyard5813]

This hooked me in from the beginning, never seen Jean Gabin on screen before..he's good in this i like him..Thank You Mr B...

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@johnradovich8809]

Recently read that he was Sergio Leone’s favorite actor.

[@sambiker4478]

Agreed. A gem. Thanks.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. Thanks for the visit!

[@josenighthawk]

FUN FACT: ... Thomas Mitchell, who plays Tiny, was a true capable actor. .. He was the very first actor to win a Tony, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar.

[@ThePiratemachine]

Buchanan.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. The Triple Crown of Acting. He was also a director, playwright, and screenwriter.

[@marijo1951]

Great to see that Jean Gabin could act just as well in English as in French. After escaping to the US after the Nazi invasion of France, he made a couple of films, then went back and fought with the Free French Forces taking part in the liberation of Paris.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Thanks for the visit!

[@ceciliamasters5972]

What a great movie!!!!! Can’t go wrong with Lupino and Rains. The actor who played Popo was great! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Thanks for the visit!

[@lilytodd773]

What a wonder- to see Gabin so young , fiery and free, the astonishingly gifted Ida Lupino, Claude Rains... made in the year of my birth.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Welcome.

[@RichardNogan]

Excellent, a very captivating performance by all as well as the photography. Tku for post.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@kurtgrotz]

Jean Gabin....never saw him or knew of him. Went to wiki...worth the research. Wow what a great actor!!! Right there with Cagney et el. Thanks for posting this important film.

[@c.a.savage5689]

ALL of Gabin's films are worth viewing if you can find them with subtitles, Pepe le Moko, Le jour se lève, Quai des brumes... Just to name a few

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome.

[@lastephen8017]

Wonderful! Thanks for posting. Acting, directing, actors, cinematography, music, ambience, dog-everything top notch. A joy to watch.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@Pedroisanickname]

Fantastic movie. ❤

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you liked it. Welcome.

[@catdog2706]

Excellent classic movie extraordinary actors much appreciated ❤

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@raylenenielsen5943]

“We do it right. Bride and groom.” How far we have fallen! Ironically it’s called progress. So very sad. Quite a different story, but very pleasant and enjoyable picture.

[@marbleman52]

@raylenenielsen5943...Hi, you are correct: "How far we have fallen..." But to say it's called progress is highly debatable....lol..!!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Love your choice of movies. There in sharp focus and the audio is at a perfect level thanks. I subscribed to your channel today 👍👍🙂❗️

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it.

[@donnieallums4847]

What a wonderful little movie ! Just wished it was a little bit longer so we could have seen the first child . Thanks for sharing this . Greetings from south east Alabama USA ☮️❤️

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you enjoyed it. Welcome.

[@bethwright8595]

I loved this! What a great story, and one so well produced and acted in this film. 👍👍

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

How do you make it. Welcome.

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

😃Thank you😃 Great movie😃 Great cast

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you liked it.

[@michaelmiller2397]

Great Flick !!! a must see for movie afficianados.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Thanks for the visit!

[@stevemartin6144]

Jean Gabin, long time lover of Marlene Dietrich. He called her "Ma Grande". In the long run she dumped him and he never got over it. I've never seen him in a movie before. Very interesting and thank you!!!

[@RightwingCook]

An amazing film noir for plot, character development, foggy surreal cinematography and talented actors - Ida Lupino one of the greats of her era! 5 stars well deserved!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@kiwi5162]

Need to recognize the way the music played into the plot. Curious to learn the titles of the songs from the film. A great movie requires great acting. This movie has it all. LOVE. PEACE. God Bless

[@robertandersen3811]

A few tunes in the Red Dot were China Boy, Coquette and Tiger Rag.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

The songs in the 1942 movie Moontide include: Moontide: Written by Alfred Newman and Charles Henderson Remember: Written by Irving Berlin China Boy: Music by Phil Boutelje Tiger Rag: Written by The Original Dixieland Jazz Band Runnin' Wild: Music by Joe Grey and A.H. Gibbs I'll See You in My Dreams: Music by Isham Jones It Had to Be You: Music by Isham Jones

[@JeffreyCoolwater]

Excellent! They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@Flysonfame]

great. thank you.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@MyUsernameIsGuess]

I have not seen this movie in over 60 years. It could not be written or produced today.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Fond memories.

[@markcoutts7750]

2024 💯 Great Show 😊

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

VERY nice ending what we, viewers, wish!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@charlesfoster141]

Most unusual movie. Very slow story but it held my interest all the way through. Ida Lapino was splendid in her role. Very unusual role for the great Claude Raines. But it was a good movie overall.

[@kathylynch9732]

Wonderful story. Great cast.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you enjoyed it. Welcome.

[@markantrobus8782]

Wow!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@richardsheehan6983]

Good movie!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@NealePinkney-td2cn]

Enjoyable movie 🎬

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Thanks for the visit!

[@darlinecason1860]

Great actors!!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like. Welcome.

[@شموخرجل-ب4ر]

I like that movie 🎉

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Me, too. Welcome.

[@marbleman52]

This movie was very different and I really liked it. I liked the personality of Bobo, seemingly care-free and a wandering gypsy...until Anna showed up.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you liked it. Welcome.

[@RobertSnell-nz4oo]

This movie is a staple on fxm retro

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Welcome.

[@EveAlba-s6d]

The film had to be directed by Fritz Lang but after two weeks was replaced

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Thanks for the visit!

[@roundtwo3321]

1:31:39 One of the best scenes in a film that I've ever seen.

[@nuriamarquez4330]

Porque no ponen algún día una película en español ?

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Sorry, and thanks for the visit.

[@josesanchez-os7zr]

This film began with Fritz Lang directing it. When Gabin found out that the director and his current partner, Marlene Dietrich, had been lovers. He asked Fox boss D. Zanuck to replace Lang or he would leave the film. Lang was replaced.

[@richardsheehan6983]

looks like me. Ju s in a fight I was usually the one on the floo, but i often ended up with the girl for a time.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@mariapasos7482]

Is this a Love story??

[@marchpaxton3293]

Yes, this is a love story. It is also about redemption - overcoming the past to make a better life and becoming a better, perhaps more worthwhile, person. Apparently, neither of these people had ever been cared for or cared about. At the end, they have purpose in life - loving and caring for and about each other. And that, imo, is what life is all about - loving and caring for our fellow beings on this earth. The dog played an important part in that it showed that BoBo had a kind heart because that dog was devoted to and protective of him. It loved and protected BoBo because BoBo was good to him and so the dog was good to him in return. There is also a lot of depth to each of the featured characters. I am a movie buff and I had never seen this one before. I think it is excellent and the actors did wonderful jobs in their roles.

[@alonzocalvillo6702]

Yeah Ida Lupino got slapped didn't she?

[@marchpaxton3293]

@@alonzocalvillo6702 And, of course, that never happens in a love story - real or imagined, right?

[@c.a.savage5689]

​​@@alonzocalvillo6702 It's in the plot line. He was trying to get her attention. She was being the opposite of hysterical. Also, her character got slapped. Not the actress.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Good question. Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

[@Rawshella]

Boy oh boy I was so dreading an unhappy ending! Choose your man's friends wizely!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@devanishant]

In the olden days, they thought alcohol was good for you...good for drowning victims.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@santinamarie4699]

I guess the director didn't mind Lupino getting a real slap

[@c.a.savage5689]

Who says it's real?? Have you never heard of stunt acting?? They "pretend" to hurt each other. Also, it's in the script for Pete's sake. I don't think this came as a surprise to the actors.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Apparently, it would not be beyond the pale. "In "Roadhouse," Robert Widmark [sic, Richard Widmark] smacked her face and loosed two front teeth." - pmbryant.typepad.com/letyourselfgo/2022/01/1949-article-on-ida-lupinos-injuries-from-her-film-acting-roles.html