You Only Live Once (1937): Fritz Lang, Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda

     Directed by Fritz Lang, You Only Live Once (1937) was both his second American film and a precursor to the Film Noir genre. The story concerns an ex-convict who can't seem to catch a break... repeatedly accused of crimes he didn't commit and finding himself in trouble again, his loyal wife by his side. Gritty for it's time, the dramatic action is palpable. Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney are great in the lead roles.

You Only Live Once. 1937: Sylvia Sidney

You Only Live Once. 1937: Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda

You Only Live Once. 1937: Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda

Sabotage. The Woman Alone (1936): Alfred Hitchcock and Sylvia Sidney

     Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Sabotage, alternately titled, The Woman Alone (1936) was the first and only time the beautiful Sylvia Sidney starred in a Hitchcock film. She found Hitchcock to be an unfavorable person, and refused to work with him again. The story concerns a terrorist plot by saboteurs to set off a bomb in London, and the tragic result that comes about. The climactic scene with a little boy on a bus is unforgettable. Sylvia Sidney is lovely and radiant as always, strong in her role. Oskar Homolka is great as her conspirator husband. The supporting cast is good as well, including John Loder. 

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock

Sabotage. The Woman Alone. 1936. Alfred Hitchcock: Sylvia Sidney

Fury (1936): Fritz Lang, Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney

     In the mid 1930s, Fritz Lang, Germany's most celebrated film director, bravely refused Adolf Hitler's request that he become the head of movies for the Third Reich. Lang fled to America and wound up in Hollywood, hired by MGM. His first American film was Fury (1936), starring Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney, touching on the issue of mob violence. It still holds up well today, but benefits greatly from repeated viewings.

     Joe and Kate are in love, but lack the financial stability they deem necessary for marriage. So Kate moves away for a better job, while Joe stays behind to work and save money so that they can wed upon their reunion. When that day comes, Joe drives out to meet Kate but is stopped by the police and is accused of a crime he didn't commit (kidnapping). He maintains his innocence through the questioning...

Fury. 1936: Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney

     Meanwhile, Kate is concerned that Joe has not arrived...

Fury. 1936: Sylvia Sidney

      While he is being held, the angry townspeople form a mob, hell-bent on instant justice... 

Fury. 1936

     They set fire to the jail and everyone assumes Joe is killed in the fiery explosion... 

Fury. 1936

     Joe survives, however, and escapes unnoticed. As a result of the horrific behavior of the mob, Joe is determined to get revenge on those responsible for his "death." He wants them to suffer as he suffered. Twenty-two people in the mob are put on trial for Joe's murder (it was later discovered he was an innocent man), while Joe awaits their inevitable executions. It's up to Kate to talk some sense into him before it goes too far...

Fury. 1936: Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney

Fury. 1936: Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney