Face in the Sky (1933)

Face in the Sky Poster

Joe and Lucky travel around New England painting barns in exchange for an advertisement on one side. The meet Madge, who is cruelly treated by a her father who plans to marry her off to someone she despises.

Intro to "Face in the Sky"
"Face in the Sky" is a 1933 American Pre-Code romantic comedy movie directed by Harry Lachman and starring Spencer Tracy and Marian Nixon. It focuses on the story of a shy signboard painter who becomes popular after a fluke event leads people to believe his painting can predict the weather condition. This summary encapsulates the essential plot points, characters, and themes of the movie.

Plot Summary
The movie's protagonist, Joe Buck, is a shy and simple signboard artist whose life is turned upside-down by an unexpected event. While painting a large advert for a brand name of baking powder featuring a female's face, he notices the incident of an uncommon phenomenon. The face in the signboard seems to change expressions with the moving weather. This peculiar occasion catches the attention of the local townsfolk and media, and quickly, Joe's art work becomes a feeling, obtaining the track record of a weather-predicting "face in the sky".

The increasing attention brings about significant modifications in Joe's life. He is all of a sudden admired by the community, drawing the interest of the press, and finds himself at the center of spotlight. With this newly found fame, Joe is also pressed into the company of the baking powder business's owner, Sam P. Chase, and his opportunistic daughter, Hope Chase.

Hope sees Joe's unanticipated appeal as a possibility to even more her daddy's organization aspirations. She takes an individual interest in Joe, encouraging him to work together with her to capitalize on the phenomenon. Joe, ignorant and unaccustomed to such attention, initially goes along with her strategies, but he quickly starts to feel unpleasant with the exploitative nature of the situation. In spite of the burgeoning possibility of a romance in between him and Hope, Joe stays unfaltering to his real and unassuming nature, which stands in plain contrast to Hope's more commercially driven character.

Character Development and Themes
As the film advances, Joe challenges the problem of picking in between maintaining his stability or welcoming the advantages of his accidental fame. This internal conflict is main to Joe's character development, as he negotiates his worths in the face of newly found appeal and possible monetary success.

The character of Joe is a representation of the "everyman"-- a normal private endowed with an extraordinary situation. He embodies styles of credibility, humility, and the corruption fundamental in unexpected fame. On the other hand, Hope's character exemplifies the greed and manipulation that can accompany the exploitation of a novelty for personal gain.

Romantic Elements and Conclusion
In spite of the comedic and negative undertones of the movie, "Face in the Sky" does not pass up the romantic subplot. As anticipated, the budding relationship between Joe and Hope undergoes various trials. Eventually, the movie asks whether Joe's genuineness can dominate the superficiality of the society that surrounds him and whether genuine love can blossom from an initial plan that was purely business-oriented.

In the climactic resolution of the plot, Joe should confront the exterior his life has become and make a definitive choice. He should browse in between his real self and the persona thrust upon him by the media frenzy. The film concludes with a reinforcement of the worths of sincerity and integrity over deceit and opportunism, a common trope in the movies of the Pre-Code era, which often critiqued social standards and habits.

Legacy of "Face in the Sky"
While not as well-remembered as other movies from the early 1930s, "Face in the Sky" offers a captivating and thoughtful expedition of the impacts of media sensationalism and the human connections that eventually matter the majority of. It stands as a testament to the era, showcasing Spencer Tracy's early career and the thematic concerns of America throughout the Great Depression.

Top Cast

  • Spencer Tracy (small)
    Spencer Tracy
    Joe Buck
  • Marian Nixon (small)
    Marian Nixon
    Madge
  • Stuart Erwin (small)
    Stuart Erwin
    Lucky
  • Sam Hardy (small)
    Sam Hardy
    Professor Triplett
  • Lila Lee (small)
    Lila Lee
    Sharon Hadley
  • Sarah Padden (small)
    Sarah Padden
    Ma Brown
  • Russell Simpson (small)
    Russell Simpson
    Pa Nathan Brown
  • Frank McGlynn Jr. (small)
    Frank McGlynn Jr.
    Jim Brown
  • Billy Platt
    Jupiter - Midget
  • Guy Usher (small)
    Guy Usher
    Albert Preston
  • James Burke (small)
    James Burke
    Cop (uncredited)