Dodsworth & Disraeli

Dodsworth & Disraeli

From Have You Ever Seen by Ryan Ellis

March 27, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

This episode features reviews of the films Dodsworth and Disraeli, exploring themes of relationships and historical context.

Dodsworth is the feature attraction in this 728th talk on Have You Ever Seen, but then there was an unexpected 2nd review in this episode. I spent 10 or 12 minutes on the George Arliss 1929 Oscar-winner, Disraeli…the one about the late-1800s British Prime Minister's quest to buy the Suez Canel. As for Dodsworth, we've got another winner from William Wyler, who directs Walter Huston & Ruth Chatterton as a middle-aged couple who just aren't clicking anymore. He retires and they vacation in Europe, but that love just might be gone. So ditch Zenith for exotic European locales (or maybe even for Egypt) as I present monologues about Dodsworth and Disraeli. Well, Actually: just to be clear, an actor CAN get nominated for Oscars in the leading AND supporting categories in the modern era (as Al Pacino, Julianne Moore and Jamie Foxx have), but can't get 2 noms in the same category the way Arliss did back when Disraeli was made. Subscribe to the channel in your app. Rate the show and write a review as well. And search me out on Letterboxd for the occasional written review (RyanHYES). Feedback is appreciated. Hit me with a tweet (@moviefiend51), a comment on Bluesky (ryan-ellis) or an email…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Ellis

Topics covered

  • film review
  • Oscar winners
  • British history
  • European vacation
  • relationship dynamics

Keywords

  • Dodsworth
  • Disraeli
  • William Wyler
  • Oscar
  • British Prime Minister
  • Suez Canal
  • film review
  • Ryan Ellis

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Dodsworth, Disraeli

Places: Egypt, Suez Canal

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