In 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them. As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film of the year. Right now, that’s difficult.

1939 film:
Reno (1939)

Release date:
Dec. 1, 1939

Cast:
Richard Dix, Gail Patrick, Anita Louise, Paul Cavanaugh, Laura Hope Crews, Louis Jean Heydt, Hobert Cavanaugh, Charles Halton, Astrid Allwyn, Joyce Compton, Frank Faylen, Carole Landis (uncredited)

Studio:
RKO Radio Pictures

Director:
John Farrow

Plot:
Told in retrospective, Lawyer Bill Shayne (Dix) arrives in Reno, Nev. in 1905 ready to go into business. He finds helping with legal issues related to mining, and soon marries Jessie (Patrick). When the mining industry in Nevada collapses, Bill becomes a successful divorce lawyer—and contributing to Reno later becoming the divorce capital of the U.S. Working on divorce cases causes issues for Jessie and Bill when the divorcees start to catch his eye. Jessie divorces Bill, taking their baby daughter, Joanne, who he doesn’t see for many years.

Continue reading →