Tortilla Flat *** (1942, Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, John Garfield, Frank Morgan) – Classic Movie Review 10,758

Director Victor Fleming’s 1942 MGM black and white drama Tortilla Flat is a well-acted and appealing version of John Steinbeck’s novel of life among the Mexican-American peasants of Monterey in California.

There is plenty of the right oddball atmosphere and charm from director Fleming, and a film-stealing performance by Best Supporting Actor Oscar-nominated Frank Morgan as The Pirate, a gentle tramp the peasants plan to rob.

But you have to suspend a lot of disbelief to accept Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr and John Garfield as Mexican-American poor – though if you can they are very effective – and this time MGM’s studio shooting counts against the film by making it seem artificial.

Garfield plays Danny, who inherits two houses from his grandfather, so Pilon (Tracy) and his lazy friends, including The Pirate, take advantage and move in. Lamarr plays Dolores Sweets Ramirez.

This little-seen film wears its age well.

Also in the cast are Akim Tamiroff, Donald Meek, Henry O’Neill, Allen Jenkins, Sheldon Leonard, John Qualen, Connie Gilchrist, Louis Jean Heydt, Willie Fung, Walter Sande and Shirley Warde.

The screenplay is by John Lee Mahin and Benjamin Glazer.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,758

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