Gold Rush Maisie (1940)

Maisie does The Grapes of Wrath, 15 August 2019

The Quick Pitch:  On her way to a gig in Phoenix, Maisie’s car breaks down in the middle of the desert.  She finds herself stranded in an old mining town. When gold is rediscovered, Maisie helps a dirt poor family in their attempt to strike it rich.

I’ve got to agree with what a lot of others have written on the internet - Gold Rush Maisie definitely has a Grapes of Wrath feel to it.  For me, that’s one of the films biggest flaws. I enjoy these Maisie films for their comedy and ridiculousness. And while Ann Southern gets in a good one-liner here and there, the overall tone is terribly somber.  When you’re dealing with dirt farmers who have no idea where their next meal is going to come from, laughing at Maisie’s hijinks just doesn’t feel right. Gold Rush Maisie wasn’t the kind of entertainment I was expecting or looking for.

My other big complaint is with the ranch owner, Bill Anders, played by Lee Bowman.  My problem Isn’t with Bowman (in fact, there’s something about him that I like more than any of the other male leads Sothern played opposite in the first three Maisie films).  Instead, my problem is with the character, Lee Anders. One minute, he’s in love with Maisie – the next, he can’t stand her. One minute, he wants to help the farmers – the next, he wants to throw them off his land.  The wild swings the character goes through make no sense at all. It’s a pretty poor job of writing. 

So far, all I’ve talked about are the negatives.  Based on my rating, it should be obvious that I didn’t find Gold Rush Maisie a total wash-out.  When the script allows Maisie to be Maisie, those moments really shine. Southern is such a joy to watch as Maisie with her perfect comedic timing and infectious nature.  Maisie is always a treat.

5/10