'Skyscraper Souls' had a good deal going for it. Really liked the idea of the story on paper and while its ideas may not be original they are always interesting. There are a lot of fine to excellent pre-code films out there, and it is always amazing at how much a lot of pre-code films got away with and still don't come over as too tame today. The cast is a good one with all having given good performances in other films, the biggest name being Warren William.
On the most part, 'Skyscraper Souls' lives up to its potential. It doesn't quite fully succeed or exceed the quite high expectations had before watching, with not everything in the story working, but those expectations as one can guess were far from wasted at the same time. It is a powerful and ahead of the time film with almost all the cast doing a great job and it is a shame in a way that Edgar Selwyn did so few films, 'Skyscraper Souls' did show he had directing talent in him.
Am going to start with the many positives. It is stylishly photographed and fluidly edited. The building itself is like a character of its own. It's nicely scored without going overboard on the melodrama or treacle. The script is sharp and thought-provoking, with some surprisingly risque lines. The story had a lot of interesting and daring subjects to cover and doesn't trivialise any of them, they are far from tame now (though would have caused even more of a stir back then) and have relevance still now. The climax is admittedly very melodramatic but is also very emotionally powerful. Selwyn directs with an assured touch.
Best of all is the cast, dominated by a truly terrific William at his most despicable (character-wise that is) and in one of my favourite performances of his. Maureen O'Sullivan does innocence with charm and pathos, without being too sugary sweet or simpering. Veree Teasdale has perhaps the most sympathetic character and is affecting in it, while Anita Page and Gregory Ratoff are amusingly colourful support.
There is an exception though cast-wise, Norman Foster. For my tastes, he really irritated me and overplays his brash character and doesn't have much personality either. Did not care for his subplot, which was very silly and felt like padding that was dull and not needed.
While the story is generally fine, it did at times feel over-stuffed and like it tried to do too much.
In summary, very impressive even if it didn't quite wow me over. 7/10
On the most part, 'Skyscraper Souls' lives up to its potential. It doesn't quite fully succeed or exceed the quite high expectations had before watching, with not everything in the story working, but those expectations as one can guess were far from wasted at the same time. It is a powerful and ahead of the time film with almost all the cast doing a great job and it is a shame in a way that Edgar Selwyn did so few films, 'Skyscraper Souls' did show he had directing talent in him.
Am going to start with the many positives. It is stylishly photographed and fluidly edited. The building itself is like a character of its own. It's nicely scored without going overboard on the melodrama or treacle. The script is sharp and thought-provoking, with some surprisingly risque lines. The story had a lot of interesting and daring subjects to cover and doesn't trivialise any of them, they are far from tame now (though would have caused even more of a stir back then) and have relevance still now. The climax is admittedly very melodramatic but is also very emotionally powerful. Selwyn directs with an assured touch.
Best of all is the cast, dominated by a truly terrific William at his most despicable (character-wise that is) and in one of my favourite performances of his. Maureen O'Sullivan does innocence with charm and pathos, without being too sugary sweet or simpering. Veree Teasdale has perhaps the most sympathetic character and is affecting in it, while Anita Page and Gregory Ratoff are amusingly colourful support.
There is an exception though cast-wise, Norman Foster. For my tastes, he really irritated me and overplays his brash character and doesn't have much personality either. Did not care for his subplot, which was very silly and felt like padding that was dull and not needed.
While the story is generally fine, it did at times feel over-stuffed and like it tried to do too much.
In summary, very impressive even if it didn't quite wow me over. 7/10