MGM's blockbuster was conceived originally as a vehicle for Jeanette MacDonald to co-star with some non-singing players while her normal screen partner Nelson Eddy was on a concert tour. Mr. Eddy always considered his screen roles secondary to his concert singing which was the reverse of how Jeanette felt.

According to a recent book about both Eddy and MacDonald, Clark Gable had been gotten out of romantic dalliance with some hush money MGM paid some woman off with. He didn't really want to do the film, but Louis B. Mayer kind of hammerlocked him into it. MacDonald however chose Spencer Tracy for the part of Father Tim Mullin, Gable's best friend and conscience of the movie.

Nevertheless the part of Blackie Norton, impresario of the Barbary Coast in 1906 San Francisco fits Gable perfectly. The man takes his pleasures where he finds them, but has a concern for the folks in his area who are getting the raw end of things from the upper crust on Nob Hill as personified by Gable's rival Jack Holt.

Gable and Holt are rivals for Jeanette MacDonald as well. She's fresh from the country, a parson's daughter with a great set of soprano pipes. Both like what they see, but Holt appreciates her voice quite a bit more than Gable at first.

Besides Ms. MacDonald, Gable and Holt have their differences over some of the rottenly constructed houses on the Barbary Coast and Gable wants a lot of new construction there. Of course the Earthquake of April 18, 1906 settles the whole issue of urban renewal.

If the special effects Oscar was around at that time, San Francisco would have won it for sure. Even over 60 years after the film came out and with the more modern techniques of special effects available, the sight of the earthquake is still visually stunning.

Gable and MacDonald did not get along on the set, Gable was more used to down to earth leading ladies like Crawford and Harlow. MacDonald and Tracy got along just fine. Her intercession with Louis B. Mayer changed the course of Tracy's career forever. Previous to San Francisco, Tracy played a whole slew of roughneck heroes in B films at Fox and his first few at MGM were in the same mold. As Father Tim Mullin, Tracy became the wise father figure (no pun intended) that the public came to know so well. He received his first Academy Award nomination for this part.

Jeanette has some operatic selections and three hymns to sing during the film, The Holy City, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Nearer My God to Thee. She also got two original songs, Would You and the title tune of the film.

The song San Francisco was adopted by the city fathers of San Francisco as the city's official song. That is until Tony Bennett lost his heart there. Controversy still rages on the bay as to which should be the official song of San Francisco.

San Francisco made a whole lot of money for Leo the Lion that year. It in fact inspired Darryl F. Zanuck to burn down Chicago the following year so he could get in on that disaster epic box office.

San Francisco still holds up well today, the action, the music, and Spencer Tracy's groundbreaking performance. Something for everyone.

Wow,....this is a REALLY predictable film. Clark Gable plays a guy named "Blackie" and it turns out, surprise of surprises, that he's a bit of a bad egg! And, his childhood buddy, played by Spencer Tracy, is a lovable priest--cut out of the same mold as Bing Crosby in GOING MY WAY. Added to the mix is Jeanette MacDonald (sister of Blossum Rock--that's "Grandmama" from the Addams Family--I'm not kidding about this--look it up if you don't believe me). Thankfully, she only sings a little, as I for one, hated all of her movies with Nelson Eddy. Sorry--I love the Golden Age of Hollywood but just couldn't take their films. Here in SAN FRANCISCO, she's just fine as Gable's prospective main squeeze.

So despite the clichés, how could I still give the movie an 8? Well, despite clichés, I love Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable. I also love that Ms. MacDonald doesn't sing too much (especially not the types of songs that made her famous). But most importantly I loved the climatic San Francisco earthquake sequence towards the end. It is amazing to behold and probably prevented MacDonald from singing even more.

Did I mention that I hate Jeanette MacDonald's singing?

Being a fan of classic film and being an admirer of Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, also having heard near-unanimous positively for it and liking Jeanette MacDonald in general than most people, interest was high for seeing 'San Francisco'.

Seeing it, maybe it is not quite as good as touted and not quite the masterpiece personally was expecting. However, 'San Francisco' is still a very good and truly impressive film, it must have been back then and still holds up well from personal opinion (though not everybody is going to agree). Some things work better than others, with a few things that could have come off much better, but the good things, which are numerous and big in size, far outweigh the bad things.

Can definitely understand the mixed opinions on Jeanette MacDonald. Being a lifelong fan of classical music, opera and operetta, and actually liking her voice, to me the music was wonderful (particularly the title song, which MacDonald sings the heck out of, the rousing and moving Battle anthem, the 'Faust' sections and 'La Traviata's' "Sempre Libera") and she sang the music very well with a silvery purity and limpid beauty.

With that being said, MacDonald (who usually is a good actress, in her outings with Nelson Eddy, she was the superior actor of the two) disappoints dramatically and it is down to that the role is not right for her, she is over the top and she is too lightweight for the role for somebody who is better known for operetta and her films with Eddy. As good as the music is, there could have been a little less of it because it does tend to slow the film down and spoil the flow of the story.

The film is also a little too heavy on the religious elements, which were in serious need of a toning down. The love triangle does have a lot of heart, but is rather predictable and corny while the chemistry between Gable and MacDonald could have been stronger.

However, there are so many good things about 'San Francisco'. It is a great-looking film, beautifully filmed and the production design and costumes are similarly gorgeous. The adroit direction helps things too. As said the music is wonderful, and much better performed than people give credit for.

'San Francisco's' script is intelligent, rousing and heartfelt, with only the religious elements in need of a toning down. The story is compelling, lifts the spirits, wrenches the gut and brings tears to the eye. The ending is melodramatic in a way but is also poignant, full of inspiration and spirit-rousing.

As people have said, the highlight is the earthquake sequence, a thrilling and gut-wrenching sequence with astounding special effects that were revolutionary in their day.

Gable gives one of his best performances as a quite complex character that he brings many nuances to it in a way a number of people would not. Tracy is restrained but also commanding and both men work wonders together. The supporting cast are all solid.

Overall, very often and often truly impressive if not quite a masterpiece. 8/10 Bethany Cox