Duncan or Devonald with Muslin Cloud (1891) User Reviews

Utter disappointment

[mercutio24 · 2 May 2002]

Were randomname and I even watching the same movie? Phredd-2 is absolutely correct that this horrible trash sold out the "Duncan" series in truest commercial Hollywood fashion. For starters, the title is just awful -- I much prefer the working titles that Edison Manufacturing Company, producers of the series, were using: "The Muslin Menace" and "Attack of the Clouds". The use of black and white film and the decision to omit sound were techniques that were daring and innovative in the first two movies, but here are just trite and predictable. James C. Duncan does the best he can with this abysmal material, but newcomer Fred C. Devonald overacts in unbearably amateurish fashion. The departure from the proven "Duncan" formula is puzzling. I fail to understand why Dickson & Heise would draw the focus of the storyline away from Duncan. By replacing the certainty of the Duncan storyline with the ambiguity of Duncan OR Devonald, they make the material too clever by half. In keeping with IMDB's policies, I too will not reveal the so-called "surprise twist" but I will say that it was totally predictable, and I will add that the potential novelty of the Muslin Cloud becomes just another tired and contrived plot device. It remains to be seen if a better version of this piece will appear in the upcoming "Duncan: The Director's Cut" DVD.

Climactic Finale

[randomname · 10/10 · 29 August 2001]

This third installment in the Duncan trilogy blows away even the original. The film brings together the plot threads running throughout the series in a sweeping conclusion that even vindicates the previous films errors. The addition of Devonald and the surprising twist ending (I won't tell you how the muslin cloud fits in) make this a soaring cinematic triumph. See this film today, it is flawless.

very disappointing

[phredd-2 · 24 January 2002]

I think randomname and I must have seen two different versions. The addition of Devonald was pointless, if not detracting. Duncan Smoking was a wonderful achievement, and the sequel was entertaining if trite. This one, however, is very sub-par. Dickson sold out with Devonald, and should be sorely ashamed.