James Murray gave a stupendous performance as John Sim - Everyman,
in "The Crowd" and even though I haven't seen all his films, his performance
as Dave Roberts, another "everyman" but one with a secret, is pretty high
up there. It just seems that Murray's metier was the silent film or maybe
talkies just coincided with his descent into alcoholic oblivion. I also loved
his rapport with Clem, the street kid - his interaction was so masterful,
there was no sickening sentimentality, Murray kept his scenes and acting
on an adult level.
Murray plays Dave Roberts, first seen as a pool room lounger who tangles with boxer Battling Rolf after the brawler insults a local girl - but girl, Dave and Rolf are all part of a crooked scam, employed by the same manager to breeze into town and create a "situation" that will have the locals flooding to the big boxing match that is set up between Dave and Rolf. All money is on Dave to win but he is employed and paid to lose that match!! The manager's last words as Dave heads to Boonton are "try to arrange to save someone's life" but when that actually happens and he does save Clem from a nasty train accident, even though he is upset that there are no witnesses his redemption has started!! Apparently William Wyler specifically requested Murray for the role and MGM , who were desperately trying to hush up the problems they were having with their star, were happy to loan him.
Of course there is "a girl", this time she is Marjorie, the waitress at the diner which caters for oil rig workers (where Dave has found a job) and played to perfection by Barbara Kent (who had already excelled in "Lonesome" a rather low key version of "The Crowd"). Both of them believe in Dave and towards the end when a scuffle breaks out between Clem and a local ruffian, the truth comes out that Dave is a fraud. Wyler's direction of the fight sequence was magnificent and Murray comtributed enormously - the different camera angles involved the viewer. Dave was almost down for the count but the encouragement of the crowd gave him heart whereas Rolf, who was used to quick, fixed fights found his stamina flagging. The film ends - not with a hug from his girl (she is grasping the tent rope with relief) but with cheers from the crowd. If only Murray had been able to take heart in real life.
Very Recommended
Murray plays Dave Roberts, first seen as a pool room lounger who tangles with boxer Battling Rolf after the brawler insults a local girl - but girl, Dave and Rolf are all part of a crooked scam, employed by the same manager to breeze into town and create a "situation" that will have the locals flooding to the big boxing match that is set up between Dave and Rolf. All money is on Dave to win but he is employed and paid to lose that match!! The manager's last words as Dave heads to Boonton are "try to arrange to save someone's life" but when that actually happens and he does save Clem from a nasty train accident, even though he is upset that there are no witnesses his redemption has started!! Apparently William Wyler specifically requested Murray for the role and MGM , who were desperately trying to hush up the problems they were having with their star, were happy to loan him.
Of course there is "a girl", this time she is Marjorie, the waitress at the diner which caters for oil rig workers (where Dave has found a job) and played to perfection by Barbara Kent (who had already excelled in "Lonesome" a rather low key version of "The Crowd"). Both of them believe in Dave and towards the end when a scuffle breaks out between Clem and a local ruffian, the truth comes out that Dave is a fraud. Wyler's direction of the fight sequence was magnificent and Murray comtributed enormously - the different camera angles involved the viewer. Dave was almost down for the count but the encouragement of the crowd gave him heart whereas Rolf, who was used to quick, fixed fights found his stamina flagging. The film ends - not with a hug from his girl (she is grasping the tent rope with relief) but with cheers from the crowd. If only Murray had been able to take heart in real life.
Very Recommended