Boulder Dam

This mid-depression era film shows the hardscrabble nature of the 1930s. I felt the dirt in my own teeth while watching these dust caked characters struggle through life.

Ross Alexander is at home as the wisecracking jerk. My only complaint about his performance involves how believable he is as a changed man with that same dill-weed pompous twit showing through. Both Ann and Rusty Joe are attractive and believable, even when Joe starts making like Spiderman...I'm buying it.

The best part of this film is the depression era banter. There are several references I can't explain. I see film dialogue and music lyrics as lagging indicators of language in culture. The thirties and forties were replete with what was then hip, lingo. Here are my favorites from this film.

Top ten gaudy banter from "Boulder Dam":

10. Rusty- I got yellow and pulled a sneak.

9. Rusty- (to his boss) Wasamatter sweetheart, did I forget to kiss you goodbye?

8. Rusty- Don't forget, it's the old mezuma you're working for. (money?)

7. Ann- I'm liable to put some wrinkles in that pan of yours.

6. Lacy- If you don't I'll tip my mitt and send you over the road. (squeal?)

5. Rusty- Listen sister, put it on the cuff will ya and I'll pay ya when and if. (there's an interesting fill-in-the-blank)

4. Rusty- I had dames figured out the same way as I had booze, they were great when the laughs were going on, they were a headache the next day.

3. Pete- Every time that geek rolled over last night, he sandpapered my neck with his chin. (score one for the kindergartener)

2. Rusty- Thanks for the flop and the grub, I'll put it down on the books. (I love this line, Ann had to go some to beat it)

1. Ann- Butter yourself with embarrassment and forget it. (I'm determined to work this one into my own conversations)

Smoking ritual:

Two smoking references are worth mentioning. When Lacy sees Joe smoking next to his gas truck, he says, "In a hurry?" an odd reference the flammable possibilities. Later, when Ann and Joe are imagining their perfect dream home, Joe visualizes "lots of ashtrays."