Bosley Crowther's Criticism of FT

Bosley Crowther was a famous New York Times film critic who was active from 1940 to 1967.  Respected for his influence on and knowledge of the film industry, Crowther was noted for his direct and sometimes biting film commentary. Crowther's opinion on Franchot and his films was ambivalent at best. Occasionally, he lightly praised Franchot's work, but mostly, Crowther was incredibly scathing of FT. I've collected the twenty-five years of criticism that Crowther composed below. I've excluded the films that were reviewed by other New York Times critics.

Trail of the Vigilantes (1940):

"...it is Franchot Tone, that erstwhile Group Theatre hopeful and star in many a super-soigné Eastern, who is playing the rootin' tootin' hero in Universal's "Trail of the Vigilantes," which pulled up yesterday at the Rialto. And, believe it or not, he's okay. Of course, Director Allan Dwan has broken him in sort of easy. So the sole Mr. Tone has to play is that of a Kansas City newspaper reporter who turns up incognito in a cow-town with the purpose of investigating some very shady goings-on. Reporters being what they are, a lot of rowdy fun is had at Mr. Tone's expense, of course...The story is pretty routine, but performance is better than average. Mr. Tone wins his spurs in a good, fast Western. "

She Knew All the Answers (1941):

"...it finds Franchot Tone in fine form as the pince-nezed bore..."

The Wife Takes a Flyer (1942):

 "...the acting in this picture is unspeakably wretched—worse, even, than the script, which is embarrassingly stupid and off-key. And the general conception of it is an insult to American intelligence."

Five Graves to Cairo (1943):

"...with Franchot Tone playing the British corporal in a taut and muted style..."

His Butler's Sister (1943):

"...Franchot Tone as the bland hero."

True to Life (1943):

"Franchot Tone is also amusing and archly suave as the collaborator of Mr. Powell."

Phantom Lady (1944):

"...Franchot Tone, who shows up late in the picture, play a neurotic fellow betwitchingly."

Dark Waters (1944):

"Franchot Tone is easy and reassuring as the young doctor..."

That Night With You (1945):

"Mr. Tone's coyness as a foster-father is not precisely on the scintillating side."

Because of Him (1946):

"Franchot Tone plays a polished playwright—it would be nice to meet an unpolished one for a change—with a high degree of petulance and naivete..."

Her Husband's Affairs (1947):

"Lucille Ball, an able comedienne, works hard and adroitly as the wife, and Franchot Tone springs about as the husband, but they labor to little avail."

Every Girl Should Be Married (1948):

"Diana Lynn, Eddie Albert and Franchot Tone are very minor in minor roles."

Jigsaw (1949):

"It is sluggishly directed by Fletcher Markle, who also co-authored the script, and almost indifferently played, where good playing would do the most for it, by Franchot Tone in the principal role."

Here Comes the Groom (1951):

"But Jane Wyman still can scamper, and she does plenty of it here, as does Alexis Smith as her rival—and wrestling opponent—for the millionaire. The latter is suavely developed by a slyly smiling Franchot Tone into something nice and entertaining in the stuffy Bostonian line."

Advise and Consent (1962):

"Their intense and deliberate projection of a cynical attitude toward the actions of politicians extends right up to the President of the United States, whom they frankly portray in this fiction as a man of peculiar principles. He is made (in a tasteless portrayal of a sick, testy man by Franchot Tone) to be tolerant of cheap conniving and the telling of lies under oath."

La Bonne Soup (1964):

"The whole cast is good, including, of all people, Franchot Tone, who drifts in and out through the night as an American millionaire in Cannes with a penchant to recite Montaigne's poetry and invite vagrant ladies aboard his yacht."

Mickey One (1965):

"Hurd Hatfield, Teddy Hart, Jeff Corey and Franchot Tone are weird in off-beat roles."

Sources:

• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Trail of the Vigilantes (1940)." New York Times. December 7, 1940.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Billy the Kid (1941) ' Billy the Kid,' a Western With Trimmings, Opens at the Capitol.-- 'She Knew All the Answers' Is the New Feature at the Music Hall." New York Times. June 20, 1941
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review The Wife Takes a Flyer (1942) ' The Wife Takes a Flyer,' a Labored Farce Film, With Joan Bennett and Franchot Tone, at the Capitol." New York Times. June 19, 1942
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Five Graves to Cairo (1943) 'Five Graves' to Cairo,' Drama of World Conflict, With von Stroheim and Franchot Tone, at the Paramount Theatre." New York Times. May 27, 1943.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review His Butler s Sister (1943); ' His Butler's Sister,' a Light Comedy With Music, Starring Deanna Durbin, Has Its First Showing Here at the Criterion." New York Times. December 30, 1943
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review True to Life (1943) Review 1 -- No Title; 'True to Life,' With Victor Moore, Mary Martin, Dick Powell, at Paramount -- 'Behind the Rising Sun' at Palace." New York Times. October 14, 1943.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Phantom Lady (1944); At Loew's State." New York Times. February 18, 1944.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Dark Waters (1944); ' Dark Waters' a Thriller." New York Times. November 22, 1944.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review My Name Is Julia Ross (1945); 'That Night With You' Arrives at Loew's State-- 'My Name Is Julia Ross' at the Ambassador. New York Times. November 9, 1945
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review The Harvey Girls (1946) ; 'The Harvey Girls' Opens at Capitol--Musical Stars Judy Garland, Kenny Baker, Ray Bolger and Virginia O'Brien." New York Times. January 25, 1946.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Her Husband s Affairs (1947) ' Her Husband's Affairs' Has Its Premiere at Capitol -- 'Heaven Only Knows' Opens at Broadway." New York Times. November 14, 1947.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Every Girl Should Be Married (1948); Betsy Drake, Newcomer, Stars Opposite Cary Grant in 'Every Girl Should Be Married'." New York Times. December 24, 1948.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Here Comes the Groom (1951) ; 'Here Comes the Groom,' New Bing Crosby Vehicle, Opens at the Astor Theatre." New York Times. September 21, 1951.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Careless Love (1964) French Farce Is at the Fine Arts Theater." New York Times. March 16, 1964.
• Crowther, Bosley. "Movie Review Mickey One (1965) Film Festival: Heels, Old and New:1954 Movie Makes One Feel for Hero." New York Times. September 9, 1965.