A Tale of Two Cities (1935) | |
| Director(s) | Jack Conway, Robert Z. Leonard (uncredited) |
| Producer(s) | David O. Selznick |
| Top Genres | Action, Drama, Epic, Historical, Romance |
| Top Topics | French Revolution |
Featured Cast:
A Tale of Two Cities Overview:
A Tale of Two Cities (1935) was a Drama - Historical Film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and Jack Conway and produced by David O. Selznick.
SYNOPSIS
In a striking adaptation of the oft-filmed Dickens tale set during the French Revolution, Colman portrays Sydney Carton, a carefree lawyer who springs into action, aiding victims of the Reign of Terror, sparking love and, eventually, an ultimate sacrifice. Haunting, dark photography adds mood to the proceedings, and the supporting performances are all standouts (in particular, screen rookie Yurka's Mme. Defarge). This was an immediate blockbuster and boosted Selznick's fortunes. Jacques Tourneur directed the second-unit crowd scenes.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.
Academy Awards 1936 --- Ceremony Number 9 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Film Editing | Conrad A. Nervig | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 23, 2017 From 4 Star FilmsIt’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated?bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much lik... Read full article
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 23, 2017 From 4 Star FilmsIt’s no surprise that this adaptation begins with that oft-repeated?bit of poetic parallelism. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” etc. Of course, in its abridged format the opening suggests the universal quality of those iconic words. It was a period very much lik... Read full article
A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1980)
By Dan Day Jr. on Apr 22, 2016 From The Hitless Wonder Movie BlogOne would assume that after the huge success of STAR WARS, Peter Cushing might have gotten the opportunity to work on any number of enticing projects. But that simply wasn't so. Most of the films Cushing worked on after STAR WARS and before his mid-1980s retirement are either almost impossible to fi... Read full article
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
By Beatrice on May 4, 2013 From Flickers in TimeA Tale of Two Cities Directed by Jack Conway 1935/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing This is a fairly faithful adaptation of the Dickens novel. ?The evil Marquis St. Evremonde (Basil Rathbone) denounced Dr. Manette and had him imprisoned without trial in the Bastille for 18 years. ?Manette i... Read full article
A Tale of Two Cities (Ralph Thomas, 1958)
By Judy on Dec 18, 2012 From Movie ClassicsDirk Bogarde as Sydney Carton In the UK, the 1958 Rank Organisation adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, starring??Dirk Bogarde, is probably better-remembered than the 1935 MGM version. The 1950s film is the one that’s widely available here (there’s even a special edition DVD), whereas th... Read full article
See all A Tale of Two Cities articles
Quotes from
Seamstress: You're going to die in his place. Why?
Sydney Carton: He is my friend.
Seamstress: You're so brave... When we go to the guillotine, will you let me hold your hand? That might give me courage, too.
Sydney Carton: Yes. I'll hold it to the last.
Seamstress: To the last.
Sydney Carton: Yours is a long life to look back on, Mr. Lorry?
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: I'm 78.
Sydney Carton: Long life... useful one.
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: A solitary bachelor - nobody would weep for me.
Sydney Carton: Wouldn't SHE weep for you? [refers to Lucie]
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: Yes, thank God. I didn't quite mean what I said.
Sydney Carton: It is a thing to thank God for, isn't it. Tell me, if you looked back on that long life and saw that you had gained neither love, gratitude nor respect of any human being... it would be a bitter reflection, wouldn't it?
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: Why yes, surely.
Miss Pross: Mr. Carton, the infant has expressed a desire to say good night to you.
Sydney Carton: The infant's desire shall be gratified immediately, Prossy. [he goes]
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: I suppose it's none of my business, but I wouldn't allow that fellow to handle a child of mine.
Miss Pross: As to that, you haven't got one... and from the looks of you, you're not likely to have one.
read more quotes from A Tale of Two Cities...
Facts about
Actor Ronald Colman agreed to play the role of Sydney Carton with the sole condition that he not also be required to play the role of Charles Darnay, as was usually expected in adaptations of the Dickens novel. The plot of 'A Tale of Two Cities' turns on the physical resemblance between the two characters. Colman had long wanted to play Sidney Carton, and was even willing to shave off his beloved mustache to play the part.
This marked the last time that Ronald Colman agreed to shave his trademark mustache for a film.
read more facts about A Tale of Two Cities...
