Big City (1937)

A cab driver (Spencer Tracy) and his foreign born wife (Luise Rainer) are accused of starting a taxi war which resulted in a death. They're innocent but are targeted by a corrupt city government. When they attempt to have the wife deported, friends hide her. Directed by Frank Borzage (HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT). Romance among the working class has been a favorite topic of director Borzage in films like SEVENTH HEAVEN and MAN'S CASTLE and this film is yet another example. Unfortunately, it's not very good. I found Rainer's doe eyed characer too wimpy for my taste and the movie on the sappy side. Still, the film resonates today because of the situation. An innocent immigrant being deported without any due process! Sound familiar? Shivers went down my spine. If the film had been more political, it would have been more interesting. The film was profitable for MGM. With Willaim Demarest, Charley Grapewin, Janet Beecher, Guinn Williams and cameos by several sports figures of the day like Jack Dempsey, Jim Thorpe and Maxie Rosenbloom.