What a film- just what a film. Excellently acted, so much so that Gloria Swanson and Lionel Barrymore could probably be in movies today and they would fit right in (ha, ha- they're WAY too good for the tripe that is put out today, but you know what I mean).
Jeanne Eagels may have been the definitive Sadie Thompson (there is no recorded version of the play version of this film, titled Rain, but it has been quoted that "When Jeanne Eagels died, Rain died with her").
Nevertheless, Swanson gives said Jeanne Eagels a very, very, VERY good run for her money. I've always been in awe of her magic eyes, and how she was able to convey emotion sans sound without descending into typical silent movie histrionics (not that I mind typical silent movie histrionics). I do agree that this is probably her best silent movie performance- she isn't heartbreaking, but you do feel sympathy for her. Her character of Sadie Thompson is washed-up, older, and it shows, but she still has a sort of wry, tired outlook on life. Swanson was on the tail end of her career by this point (or so she thought), but you'd never guess it. She was nominated for an Oscar at the first-ever ceremony, and in my opinion, she was more Oscar-worthy than Janet Gaynor was (although I did enjoy Gaynor in all three of her silents that she was nominated for).
Nice to see Lionel Barrymore in a role that isn't a feeble old man- he's almost as good as Swanson. Director Raoul Walsh also has a role in this film- this was BEFORE Orson Welles apparently invented doing this with Citizen Kane. Walsh is pretty good in his role, would have liked to see him act in more roles, but unfortunately an injury left him behind the camera full-time. He manages to capture a dreary mood throughout the entire film, and his cinematography is very good.
The basic plot of the film is that Sadie Thompson (Swanson), an ex-prostitute wanting to go straight, ends up on an island with a bunch of woman-hungry soldiers after the boat she is supposed to be traveling on ends up having to quarantine. One in particular (Walsh) falls in love with her, but a Protestant minister (Barrymore) doesn't approve of her ways and demands that she be deported. He also wants her to face her sins and pray for redemption and things like that, and she initially refuses, but he somehow makes to get her under his spell. One night, however, he is consumed with lust and breaks into her room, then rapes her and kills himself. It's alright for Swanson and Walsh, because they end up together (sort of) happily ever after.
The print of this silent film is actually in rather good condition, save for the final reel being lost. This invokes slight frustration, as just when the film is getting majorly intense, there is a disclaimer that pops up and the rest of the film is told in stills and newly made intertitles.
I've seen all three film adaptations of Somerset Maugham's short story, and I have to agree that this one was the best, although Rain (1932) was pretty good as well- oh, heck, I even enjoyed the Rita Hayworth 3D one Miss Sadie Thompson (1953). But in terms of technicality and acting by the entire cast, this one is the best.
Very highly recommended, even if you don't like silent films.
Jeanne Eagels may have been the definitive Sadie Thompson (there is no recorded version of the play version of this film, titled Rain, but it has been quoted that "When Jeanne Eagels died, Rain died with her").
Nevertheless, Swanson gives said Jeanne Eagels a very, very, VERY good run for her money. I've always been in awe of her magic eyes, and how she was able to convey emotion sans sound without descending into typical silent movie histrionics (not that I mind typical silent movie histrionics). I do agree that this is probably her best silent movie performance- she isn't heartbreaking, but you do feel sympathy for her. Her character of Sadie Thompson is washed-up, older, and it shows, but she still has a sort of wry, tired outlook on life. Swanson was on the tail end of her career by this point (or so she thought), but you'd never guess it. She was nominated for an Oscar at the first-ever ceremony, and in my opinion, she was more Oscar-worthy than Janet Gaynor was (although I did enjoy Gaynor in all three of her silents that she was nominated for).
Nice to see Lionel Barrymore in a role that isn't a feeble old man- he's almost as good as Swanson. Director Raoul Walsh also has a role in this film- this was BEFORE Orson Welles apparently invented doing this with Citizen Kane. Walsh is pretty good in his role, would have liked to see him act in more roles, but unfortunately an injury left him behind the camera full-time. He manages to capture a dreary mood throughout the entire film, and his cinematography is very good.
The basic plot of the film is that Sadie Thompson (Swanson), an ex-prostitute wanting to go straight, ends up on an island with a bunch of woman-hungry soldiers after the boat she is supposed to be traveling on ends up having to quarantine. One in particular (Walsh) falls in love with her, but a Protestant minister (Barrymore) doesn't approve of her ways and demands that she be deported. He also wants her to face her sins and pray for redemption and things like that, and she initially refuses, but he somehow makes to get her under his spell. One night, however, he is consumed with lust and breaks into her room, then rapes her and kills himself. It's alright for Swanson and Walsh, because they end up together (sort of) happily ever after.
The print of this silent film is actually in rather good condition, save for the final reel being lost. This invokes slight frustration, as just when the film is getting majorly intense, there is a disclaimer that pops up and the rest of the film is told in stills and newly made intertitles.
I've seen all three film adaptations of Somerset Maugham's short story, and I have to agree that this one was the best, although Rain (1932) was pretty good as well- oh, heck, I even enjoyed the Rita Hayworth 3D one Miss Sadie Thompson (1953). But in terms of technicality and acting by the entire cast, this one is the best.
Very highly recommended, even if you don't like silent films.