Reviews

With a cast like this, how can you go wrong? And the film is a delight from beginning to end. Although all the players were great, special kudos to William Powell, whose uncompromising morals cause him to lose almost everything he has. His is a gut-wrenching performance, and the scene in which he addresses the assembly with tears in his eyes to tell of his own "weakness"--wow. It's rare to see Powell in a role with so much complexity and it is a marvelous performance.

I first read about this film in "Complicated Women" and was eager to see this pre-Code gender-reversal film. What a delight! Chatterton was fantastic, the art deco sets amazing and the costume design mouth-watering. Not to mention an intelligent, funny, and realistic screenplay in which the woman isn't the only one to compromise in the end. After seeing this I am on to more Ruth Chatterton films. I highly recommend this! 10 stars!

This is a flawed, but fascinating adaptation of the short story with a complete about-face in characterization by Farrell and Gaynor. They handle the sometimes silly dialogue and abrupt transitions in character with grace, which makes the sometimes-unbelievable narrative of the story seem more realistic. Kudos to them for playing against type and doing it so well. The scene in the opium den is particularly affecting--watch it without sound and you can see their old silent chemistry at work.

The direction by Raoul Walsh is jumpy and overly talky, not surprising for 1931.

Not my favorite Farrell/Gaynor but a fascinating film to watch.

This film was the last silent film Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor made as a team, and their soulful chemistry is more evident in this film than any other they made together. Is this movie so poignant because it marked the end of their silent career together, or because they had really reached the peak of their artistry together? This was also their last film with director Borzage, who also reached the peak of his art with this film.

To me, LUCKY STAR also demonstrates what made Farrell great as an actor. Although he is often unfavorably compared to Gaynor, he is restrained, elegant, and utterly believable as the handicapped Timothy Osborne. The scene in which he bathes Janet, or later when they embrace before she heads off to the party, is masterful. His expression tears your heart out.

If you have a chance to see this film, please do--you won't be sorry. This is the kind of film that makes you realize how truly great the art of silent cinema was (and remains). 10 stars.

As a silent film fanatic, I went to see this film as soon as it opened, highly anticipating what I thought would be a fitting tribute to F. W. Murnau. I left the theater and demanded my money back after the first 45 minutes. It was that terrible.

It's shameful that so much talent went into the making of a film that sounded so unique and had so much promise, but turned out to be an utter wreck. It seems to me that none of the people involved had any love for Murnau's art or for silent film in general. In fact, I think the film was made with the same contempt as "Fractured Flickers" or others of that ilk. All of the actors, but especially Dafoe, "hammed up" the silent film acting so that everyone in the audience laughed. Malkovich, as Murnau, cranks the film at different speeds according to his whim, and he and his cameraman are never cranking at even remotely the same speed. He directs his actors by saying "Now go here, now do this, now do that..." as though silent film directors merely "talked" their actors through their paces. All of this is ridiculous as Malkovich is touted as a "genius" and lectures on and on about film as art. What we see on the screen is silent film as a joke, which makes all this talk of "genius" into a laugh.

If you are a fan of silent film, or if you are someone who would like to learn more about Murnau, do yourself a favor--rent "Noseferatu" or "Sunrise" and watch genius from the source. Don't waste the time or money to see this film.

However, if you're just going to see a vampire flick or a cheesy horror movie along the lines of "Scream", or if you think silent films are a joke, then your $7 won't be wasted.

I have to disagree with the other reviewer--I found "Matrimony's Speed Limit" fun and breezy, even if the plot has been recycled a million times. What makes this version different (at least to me) is that the girl dupes her boyfriend into marriage by sending him a fake telegram, and then ends up giving him all of her own money. The ending is particularly charming, with the new husband realizing the deception and the girl wheedling him into compliance.

I just saw this film as part of TCM's Women Pioneer Filmmakers Series. What a fascinating woman Alice Guy Blache was! And what a shame (although that isn't a strong enough word) that her legacy is not well-known to the public. This film is quite enchanting--parts of it reminded me of "Broken Blossoms" (1919). But while it has elements of tragedy, and even a dark streak of incest courtesy of the foster father, there are tender and light-hearted moments of comedy that keep it from bogging into too much sentiment. Guy's motto was "Be Natural", and it's amazing how well the actors in her company took this to heart--there is very little of the histrionic style of acting in this film, which makes it so much easier for a modern audience to watch.

Alice Guy Blache's films should be revived, they should be available on VHS and DVD, and her legacy needs to be recognized!

I watched this short as part of the TCM Women Film Pioneers series, and I was enchanted with its sprightliness, comedy, and the naturalness of the actors. While there were slapstick elements, the actors heeded Guy's credo "Be Natural!", and the arm-flailing and mugging is kept to a minimum. Lots of fun!

My only question is this--Why do we have to watch Ruby Keeler dance when Ginger Rogers is standing right there????? Other than that, it's a great film with truly memorable music. I really enjoyed Bebe Daniels' performance.

"My Best Girl" is a wonderfully sweet, tender love story that never lays the treacle on too thick, and brings in great comedy moments just in the nick of time. Mary is at her best; the cinematography is excellent; the screenplay is funny and endearing--how could you not love this film? Curl up with your sweetheart and watch this one night--it's an absolute gem.

I just saw this film as part of TCM's Women Pioneers in Film series. I have heard a lot about Dorothy Davenport Reid's moral crusade, and was expecting a dry and preachy kind of film. However, the film hardly ever bogs down into preachiness and has enough dramatic momentum to move things along at a good clip. Priscilla Bonner, whom I had only seen in "It", does an excellent job as Gabrielle--we feel sympathy for her plight but she never bogs down in pathos.

I just saw this version of "Cleopatra" as part of TCM's Women Pioneers in Film Series. Although I think they did a beautiful job on the restoration, I found the new, avant-garde soundtrack too invasive and distracting. In fact, I had to watch it with the mute on.

Having said that, though, I did find this adaptation interesting. It is true that, like many films of this era, it is a bit creaky and primitive. However, it provides a fascinating glimpse of early filmmaking--no closeups, the camera hardly ever moves, etc. I also found Ms. Gardener fascinating, given how much of the production was actually done by her, including costume design. I wish there were more information available on her life and career.

Three scenes stand out in my mind:

1. Myrna Loy asking her daughter who is at the door, and the expression that comes over her face as she realizes her husband is finally home from the war.

2. Wilma helping Homer into bed, convincing him that despite all odds, despite the fact that he has lost his hands, she loves him and wants desperately to marry him.

3. Dana Andrews sitting with Teresa Wright in the nightclub, as their picture is taken by the roving photographer.

This film is so exquisite that it is hard to describe the scenes in words. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy when you watch. This film doesn't beg for your sympathy, but the delicate poignancy with which the film is handled, as well as the empathy you develop for the characters, will have you weeping like a baby.

This is a great movie to watch during the holidays, and should be seen as a companion to the ever-present "It's a Wonderful Life". This film conveys the same message, but I feel like it has more of an edge than "Life". Jean Arthur is always a delight to watch, and I think she gives this film its edginess. The rest of the cast is outstanding, of course, and I especially loved the courthouse scene. Capra at his best!

"Vivacious Lady" is a prime example of 1930s comedy-romance. I only wish that they would release it to video--as it is, I have to watch for it on TCM. Be that as it may, this film is well worth the effort. Stewart and Rogers have great chemistry, especially in the scene where they are both trying to come up with reasons for her not to go to the station. All the character actors are in top form, especially Grady Sutton as "Culpepper". His "moments of ecstacy and delight" speech is hilarious, as is his defense of Texas, "Yessir, I am, God bless her!" I also thought the "catfight" scene between Helen and Ginger Rogers' character was outstanding. The dialogue is snappy, the cast is outstanding, it's just a top-notch film!

Outstanding, outstanding. What more can I say? I can't pick out one scene over the others because it is just one hell of a movie, from beginning to end. Why this didn't make the AFI Top 100 is a mystery to me. The special effects are better than anything being churned out on the blue screen today!

This is my favorite of all the Buster and Roscoe shorts, and that's a difficult statement to make--because they're all great! I think the capper for me was the "ballet" with Buster and Roscoe, with Buster in drag. Roscoe was so wonderfully graceful for such a large fellow, and Buster makes a terrific ballerina in slap shoes. It makes you wish they could have worked together forever!

The best part of the whole short--Roscoe's routine: the famous one-handed cigarette roll, striking the match on the train, then leaping into the caboose as the train speeds by--in less time than it takes to read this. Worth the price of admission alone!

A film reviewer said it best, "Chris O'Donnell has a nose for comic timing that should be pressed to the a** of a farmyard animal." I would only add that those who find this movie "cute" or "funny" should be forced to watch it over and over again with their eyes taped open a la "Clockwork Orange".

I would like to add my own favorite scenes:

1. Diane leaning her head against the lamppost, utterly hopeless, eyes downcast, after she has tried to commit suicide. Chico--and you only see his boots--leaves her and heads down the street, hesitates, takes a few steps forward, hesitates, then, as if he finally makes up his mind, he comes stalking back to her.

2. Diane helping Chico to get dressed in the morning, holds out his belt and Chico whirls around, wrapping it around and around his waist, until he bumps into Diane.

A gorgeous film! The Farrell-Gaynor chemistry is incredible!

When I purchased this movie, I expected it to be a dud, from all the bad press it has received. But it is actually very funny, entertaining, and charming. I especially liked Bea's character, and the motorcycle chase at the end was hilarious. I also thought that Charles Farrell did an excellent job his Cape Cod accent fits this character perfectly. It's great!

This film was a follow up to 1927's "7th Heaven", starring Farrell and Gaynor, and in my opinion, this film is even better. The Farrell-Gaynor chemistry is so potent that at times (especially when they're dining together in his little apartment) you feel as if you're intruding. The last scene, where Charles is chasing Janet through the fog, is moody, atmospheric--Borzage at his best. An exquisite film.

For those of you who are Olive Thomas fans, rejoice that Grapevine Video has released one of her very very few existing films for the general public. A delight from beginning to end. Olive is radiant.