Introduction"Mississippi" is a 1935 comedy-drama movie from Paramount Pictures, directed by A. Edward Sutherland and produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr. The movie stars Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields, Joan Bennett, and Gail Patrick. This musical comedy brings Crawford's old-fashioned southern beauty to the riverboat category, providing humor, romance, and high stakes action.
PlotBing Crosby plays Tom Gray, a Northern gentleman in the antebellum South, who falls for Lucy Rumford, played by Joan Bennett. Lucy's dad, General Rumford, disapproves of Tom since he fails to duel a rival suitor and is thought about cowardly. Humiliated, Tom leaves the plantation and befriends a riverboat captain, Commodore Jackson, portrayed by W.C. Fields. Tom ends up being a preferred vocalist on the riverboat, adopting the name 'The Singing Kid.'
Developments & TwistsWhile Tom flourishes in his riverboat life, Lucy regrets the previous and is heartbroken to find out that The Singing Kid is her precious Tom. She makes an effort to persuade him to return, but he is still kept back by shame.
Tom's new life takes another sharp turn when a sharpshooter, Major Patterson, boards the riverboat. In a bit of irony, Patterson is the male Tom was supposed to duel. When Patterson recognizes Tom, the two end up in a fight, and Tom surprisingly comes out victorious, but he declines to kill Patterson in cold blood.
Climax & ResolutionBack at the plantation, Lucy is set to marry Patterson. In a climactic turn of occasions, Patterson tells Lucy the truth about his fight with Tom, prompting Lucy to realize the honorable character of Tom. As Patterson leaves the wedding event, Lucy, overjoyed, runs to Tom, leaving behind her aristocratic roots to be with him on the riverboat. The movie concludes with the now-gallant Tom and Lucy launching into a brand-new life together aboard the Mississippi riverboat.
Performance & ReceptionBing Crosby shines as the leading guy, lending his charismatic charm to the character, while W.C. Fields takes the program with his comedic performance. Joan Bennett impresses with her acting capabilities, convincingly playing a torn Southern belle.
Upon release, "Mississippi" received positive reviews. Variety applauded the film's mix of love, comedy, and action, keeping in mind the chemistry between the lead actors. Regardless of featuring some racial stereotypes common for its era, the movie was appreciated for its scenic cinematography, Crosby's crooning, and Field's humor, making it an unforgettable addition to 1930s Hollywood cinema.
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