Pittsburgh has a dull title, but the experience of watching this film is anything but. A rather slapdash effort from 1942, when stars were pressed into making entertainments that would remind audiences of a bigger picture relating to a world at war, Lewis Seiler’ film perhaps doesn’t have the sheer polish of Marlene Dietrich’s other vehicles, but a number of random elements make it more than worthwhile for modern audiences. It’s the pick of the bunch featured in the BFI’s blu-ray boxed-set of Universal Marlene Dietrich movies, out this week and reviewed elsewhere on this blog.
Coal, unexciting coal is the subject; this is a film where every ten minutes, someone starts a lecture about just how important coal is to the war effort. The story revolves around three dynamic figures who are rivals in the coal-production business; miner Pittsburgh, played by John Wayne, goes from rags to riches due to his expertise with coke. ‘How about a contract to set me up with a year’s supply of coke?’ Wayne brusquely demands, and soon he’s built a career from the black stuff. Pittsburgh takes a fancy to Hunky Winters (Dietrich) but she’s more taken with rival Cash Evans (Randolph Scott), and spats, brawls and misunderstandings ensue. Pittburgh ends up on the wrong side of things, but fortunately WWII breaks out and gives all three of them an opportunity to put their disagreements aside and work together to help the Allied push.
Pittburgh may be a routine film, but the presumption is often amusing. An early scene makes comic hay out of the idea of turning up at the cinema without a collar on, if such uncouthness was imaginable. ‘He seems awfully sure of himself,’ muses Honky of Pittsburgh, and she’s right. Flagged down by a police car, Pittburgh cheerfully yells; ‘Out of the way, you old fools!’; white privilege doesn’t cover the kind of attitude John Wayne displays here. Dietrich is also very much at home in a ridiculous role that allows her to be super-glam in mundane circumstances. When a rash, prospective suitor promises Honky everything, she coyly replies ’I thought you told me I already had everything.’
Pittburgh is the kind of demonstrably daft film that sees the three protagonists move from nightclub shenanigans to rescuing trapped minors within seconds of screen-time, with Dietrich still in full evening wear. The last of multiple helpful lectures on coal make it clear exactly why; we’re all in it together, and such dramas are to be set aside for the greatest good. The gear shifts might have jarred at the time, but Pittburgh is a rocking melodrama in the style of Errol Flynn’s Gentleman Jim; a two-fisted, wholesome comic romp that gives big stars a chance to shine under the unifying flag of patriotic endeavour.
Pittsburgh is part of the BFI’s Marlene Dietrich at Universal 1940-1942 boxed set.
Thanks to the BFI for access to this blu-ray.
I myself was born and bred in the Steel City (and live there still), so this one is a must see. I’ve never heard of it before – my Dietrich credentials are lacking, as previously admitted, and I haven’t seen many Wayne films either. You’re finding my weak spots; I love it. This one is available on Netflix (in a John Wayne collection), so I’m having it shipped my way! I’ll sneak it into my current Bette Davis marathon.
I genuinely hope that you enjoy this wonderfully silly film, it really tickled me. I’m hoping that Pittsburgh is still a place where vampish mine-owners run into disaster areas and pull victims from under timbers while wearing full diamonds and pearls evening dresses. And wayne is a force of nature here…very amusing film!
Pulling victims from under timbers while wearing full diamonds? God, I love the 1940’s! And while I can’t say I’ve seen that, we are home to the annual Furry Convention, where grown adults dress up in full animal costume. I don’t know what goes on at the convention, but watching them walk around downtown for a few days in June is an experience that should not be missed!
I will be googling Pittsburgh Furry Convention, it sounds amazing!
If I can get a commission to write about it, I would be very keen to see this event, pictures suggest a rich cultural event…
I think it would make a great story! I don’t know all the details of what exactly goes on, but when I worked downtown, we always made sure to have lunch and happy hours at outdoor restaurants during Furry week. The furries were always friendly, they just seem to want to do their thing. I think they get harassed at times, but less so (though not zero unfortunately) in Pittsburgh. There’s a restaurant called Fernando’s, it was really welcoming to the Furries….the owner almost went out of business but the Furries raised enough money to keep him going because of the kindness he has always shown. This was years back, but I’ll bet I can find a link. It’s a great story. I haven’t worked downtown for years, so not sure if Fernando’s is still in business.
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/furry-friends-pittsburgh-restaurants-welcome-anthrocon-furries-with-specials-signs-and-long-straws/Content?oid=9244633
Bummer…I guess it had to be cancelled last year…
I didn’t know what furries were until I write about Morgan last month, but it seems like a real phenomenon. Glad they have found a home in Pittsburgh!
Always liked this one and had a soft spot for Wayne out of western uniform – Tycoon and Hellfighters spring to mind – and it’s great to see him put through his paces by the Divine Miss D.
I’d expressed a preference for late period Wayne, but really like his work here, a barnstormer if ever there was! He actually shows quite surprising range over these three movies…
This was lingering in my collection and has been bumped up the line
It’s an amusing film now, the light, anything-goes tone makes it fun to watch….
I do not like John Wayne one bit. And Hunky Winters and Cash Evans are ridiculous names. I would rather dig my eyes out with a teaspoon than watch this rubbish. Long Nope.
A years supply of coke was funny though.
Sigh: ok, I just checked with Amazon in the UK and Archive is on for a less than steep £4.49. Might be free soon, you know how things work…and I’ve got several close friends called Cash Evans and Hunky Winters, no reason to laugh at these ordinary, everyday names…
I am thinking of doing Archive tonight, not sure yet.
Just so you know, I’m ALWAYS working to bring you the best in entertainment. Chuck Norris today, and a Kenneth Connor double bill in the pipeline, you lucky people!
I was just reading your chuck review when you interrupted me.
Sorry, sorry, as you were….
Sigh. I’ll get through the first paragraph eventually.
There’s a lot to unpack. I never even got into Chuck’s car, which is a belter…just adding a pic, so refresh!
You’re so bossy.
Have to keep discipline around here, Chuck Norris style…
I’m done with Chuck.
As a person, or just reading about him?
Both.
Sigh.
Ahhh, a years supply of coke. I laughed my head off at that 😉
Patriotic movies like this are a hard sell for me. I’m too easily distracted by the “message” and lose whatever goodness the movie has in store.
Yes, if you enjoy seeing respectable actors chatting about their plans to get their hands on massive amounts of high-quality coke, this film really does have a second layer….
I know it’s childish, but I am STILL laughing at that. Sigh….
I am tarred with my own brush, but it made me laugh too..
Glad to know I’m not the only child at heart around here 😀
So is it set in Pittsburgh, or is it just named after Wayne’s coked-up character?
It’s filmed in Pittsburgh, the real location, and set in Pittsburgh, and the main character of Pittsburgh the movie IS Pittsburgh the person, played by Wayne. Any questions?
They actually filmed on location? Or did they just insert some second-unit exterior shots?
It’s not as outdoorsy as you might hope, but apparently they did go to the real location. Cheaper than building a mine in the studio, I guess…
Universal splurged on building quite an elaborate mine-head set on the backlot for The Invisible Man Returns (1940). If it was the price of avoiding going to Pittsburgh I would have thought Hollywood types happy to eat the cost.
Think it was part of the patriotic war effort to meet the workers…