Jean Gabin and Ida Lupino star in “Moontide”

Moontide (1942) is an American drama directed by Archie Mayo and starring Jean Gabin and Ida Lupino. The supporting cast includes Thomas Mitchell, Claude Rains, and Jerome Cowan.

Bobo (Gabin) works on a barge with Anna (Lupino) a girl he saved from committing suicide. Bobo has a violent past and is prone to fights when he is drunk. Bar-fly Pop Kelly (Arthur Aylesworth) was murdered and Bobo is concerned that he may have killed him while he was drunk.

Bobo and Anna try to make a life together but there are forces beyond their control that are out to destroy them.

Will Bobo and Anna be able to live in peace or are they destined to a life of misery and pain.

Ida Lupino nad Jean Gabin

Archie Mayo (1891 – 1968) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Mayo began directing during the silent era, easily making the transition to talking pictures. He directed many stars of the pre-code era including James Cagney, Constance Bennett, and Joan Blondell. He also directed The Petrified Forest (1936) starring Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart.

Jean Gabin (1904 – 1976) was a French actor and singer. His reputation as a major star of French cinema brought him to Hollywood. Gabin didn’t like being under a studio contract and only made two films in Hollywood.

Ida Lupino (1918 – 1995) was an English-American actress, director, and producer. She appeared in over 50 films and was one of Warner Bros.’s biggest contract players during the 1940s starring in High Sierra (1941), The Sea Wolf (1941), and The Man I Love (1947). After she left Warner Bros., Lupino formed her own production company, producing, writing, and directing films that tackled subjects the big studios wouldn’t touch. During the 1950s, Lupino was the only female director working in Hollywood. She directed several small independent films but really made a name for herself directing for television. Lupino directed episodes of The Twilight Zone (starred in one too), The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gilligan’s Island, It Takes a Thief, Family Affair, and Columbo. In 1966, she directed her one-and-only big-budget studio picture, The Trouble with Angels starring Rosalind Russell and Haley Mills.

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Discussion questions

1. Jean Gabin made only two films in Hollywood. What did you think of his performance? Do you think he could have been a big star in American if he stayed in Hollywood?
2. Ida Lupino was borrowed from Warner Bros. to co-star with Gabin. Did you think they had good on-screen chemistry.
3. The film’s production was affected by World War II. It was originally planned to be filmed on location but was instead filmed on the sound stages at 20^th Century-Fox. Did you find the studio sets believable?
4. Cinematographer Charles G. Clarke was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Moontide. Did you think it was well deserved?
5. Did you have a favorite character actor?