Babbitt

Considerably changed from the novel, Babbitt diverges most from it in the personae of its two leads. George F. Babbitt is a normal semi-educated, average-looking philistine businessman, someone who would have accurately been represented by another of the cast, Alan Hale. Instead, he is portrayed by Guy Kibbee, who has Fat Fool written all over him. Sinclair Lewis wanted his readers to identify Babbitt as a member of their own families, perhaps even themselves, but no one would identify with Kibbee, a blustering, hapless figure of fun.

At the other extreme, George's wife, Myra, is the beautiful and obviously intelligent Aline MacMahon. The wife ought to be a frumpy dimwit who idolises George, who is indeed her superior. But this Myra, as she herself says, regards George as a little boy, protects him, and saves him, most dramatically (in a way that makes no sense at all) from destroying his reputation and losing their money.

However, having said that, the film is full of funny lines and tart observations on the childishness of men and the maturity of women, and there is plenty of social texture to enjoy, as well as the inimitable Hattie McDaniel, as the Babbitts' maid, who sees it as her duty to pep up their dinnertime with colourful bulletins from the other side of the tracks.

Guy Kibbee stars as the title character, George Babbitt. He's what you might call a big fish in a small pond--a business man who is quite successful by small-town standards. But, you might also call a boob! Despite being a success, he is a bit clueless from time to time and this film is about clueless George got himself into trouble and how his patient wife (Alaine MacMahon) tries to extricate him. Exactly how all this happens you can see for yourself.

"Babbitt" is based on a Sinclair Lewis novel and it's a metaphor for the acquisitive middle class--folks whose value of money blinds them to the important values in life. However, much of the story has been changed-- particular the ending and the wise intervention of Mrs. Babbitt to extricate him from a bad business deal that apparently isn't even in the original story.

Despite being a best-selling book, Warner Brothers gives "Babbitt" a B- movie treatment. It has a lot of style and polish like a Warner film but has lower-level actors for the film. Considering the story, having Kibbee and MacMahon in the leads wasn't a bad thing--and both were excellent in this film. Overall, a light and entertaining film with some covert criticisms for modern life. Worth seeing.

Sinclair Lewis's lengthy best seller get's a trimming in this under 80 minute film adaptation parodying the American Dream post World War 1. While it is a less than justifying translation it does allow two of the more dependable supporting players in 30 's movies Guy Kibee and Aline Mc Mahon to shine as leads.

Zenith realtor and booster George Babbitt is bullish on the land of opportunity he lives in. A bit of a braggart and blow hard he is nevertheless a popular figure in the community and among fellow lodge members. In moments of brief introspection he has his doubts about his pursuit of all things material attempting to get away from it all by going camping with a long time friend and dallying with a young client. His social climbing and chase for the almighty buck however get him involved in a corrupt land deal and he faces ruin.

Kibee's George Babbitt is an abrasively generous and sympathetic character whose ego is exploited by more devious and cynical types. His defense of his pal who shoots his nagging wife is noble but wrongheaded, the unsavory land deal more than just acceptable business practice. Kibee's non-threatening flustered stage demeanor negates any an all villainy though, his greatest guilt being pride and a touch of arrogance.

With it's slim running time Babbitt spends little time on the book's satiric and metaphorical possibilities with great swaths excised, leaving it up to George's flustered optimism and gullibility to carry the film and Kibee does not disappoint even if the choppy storyline does.

This version of BABBIT has long had the reputation of being a soft adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' often savage novel, but, while not perfect, it does manage to hold to its core. It has a fine cast, headed by Guy Kibbee, who plays his usual amiable, corrupt dolt -- look at his turn as the governor in Capra's MISTER SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. Here, playing a genially corrupt businessman with a roving eye and a taste for bootleg booze, he is perfect, led by other business types like Alan Hale, Berton Churchill and Minor Watson into a typical piece of graft, blackmail and depression. The novel is much better, but this is a good, if mainstream version.

As a note, Lewis' Zenith was modeled on Minneapolis, which was nicknamed 'The Zenith City' in the beginning of the 20th century. Lewis, who grew up in Minnesota and developed a hatred for the fatuousness of middle class life in the era made this and ELMER GANTRY, his take on the corruption of revivalism -- and which was made into a much tougher and better film in 1960 -- his deservedly best known works.

First, thanks to TCM for programming this. As big a fan of Lewis's work as I am, I'd never seen it.

It's a pretty decent adaptation. Not great, but solid and well done. Modern audiences will be puzzled about the dominance of white males in the society of 1974 and the political correctness crowd will shudder to see minorities in a subservient role and characters smoking in almost every scene.

For those unfamiliar with BABBITT, it's about a small town businessman who has totally bought into the boosterism of the business world. George Babbitt is a Realtor and a valued member of the Zebra lodge. In sharp contrast his best friend from college, Paul, has not done as well materially and is content with his lot in life and his two main pursuits besides his job are playing his violin and trying to ignore the constant nagging of his shrewish wife.

One night at dinner the subject turns to what the various characters want out of life. Paul comments that George doesn't seem interested in anything he can't touch. The aftermath of a shooting that sets tongues wagging and a shady real estate deal cause George to reexamine his goals and his lot in life.

The novel is a classic, and after 74 years ripe for a remake. Bill Murray would be a tremendous George, and maybe Steve Martin as Paul.

It will take a writer/director with real guts not to update the characters' attitudes and values. Come on, Hollywood. Everything else is getting remade, including ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES. Give BABBITT a shot, too.