Man's Castle. 1933. USA. Directed by Frank Borzage. With Spencer Tracy, Loretta Young, Glenda Farrell. In English; 4K DCP restoration courtesy of Sony. 78 min.
Long available only in a heavily censored, post-Code reissue version, this Frank Borzage masterpiece has now been restored to its original length and structure, adding new dimensions to an already classic film. Spencer Tracy stars as a resident of a Central Park shantytown during the lowest dip of the Great Depression; a typical Borzagian free spirit, he survives on odd jobs and personal charm until a chance encounter with an innocent young woman (Loretta Young, astonishingly beautiful in this early role) introduces him to a new and dangerous sense of responsibility. The new version heightens Tracy’s internal conflict by restoring his relationship with showgirl Glenda Farrell, whose easygoing eroticism represents a sensual alternative to Young’s ethereal appeal. The film also benefits from graceful supporting performances by Marjorie Rambeau, Walter Connolly, and Arthur Hohl.