Post by mastervamp on Jul 9, 2006 16:19:24 GMT -5
SMOULDERING FIRES (1925) A FORGOTTEN SILENT CLASSIC!
Another SUNRISE SILENTS acquisition, the print quality is much shaper than it was with MANTRAP (1926). Universal Pictures SMOULDERING FIRES (1925), is an unjustly little known Silent, from a very big year in films! This is a superb drama, Directed by another big name guy, Clarence Brown!
In the opening, a stuffy older woman Jane Vale (Pauline Frederick), is A very private, no nonsense corporate lady. She inherited her fathers business, and is virtually irreproachable! Perhaps justly loathed by her minions! No one has ever had the brass to stand up to her! No sir, all decisions were final with her. Until that is, She collides with plucky Robert Elliot (Malcolm McGregor)! A handsome younger man in her employ, who has the nerve to criticize her openly! Needless to say, It's a rough relationship at first, but than Jane clearly isn't interested in romance at this point. However, the pendulum swiftly swing's in that direction.
The sadly forgotten Frederick, gives us a memorable, and emotion charged performance. Inspired by Her Man, She quickly revises herself and becomes much more youthful! Juxtaposed to the rather Mannish, and decidedly unattractive presence, she initially conveys. Quickly transforming from a dowdy wearer of suits, to something much more feminine. Towards the end of the film, she actually looks a full 15 years younger than she did in the beginning!
No longer obsessed with just business, Jane soon falls, and falls hard for suave Bobby. Promoting him to second in command behind Her. Naturally, this doesn't set well with Her other workers! In the face of considerable gossip, the couple plan to Marry, but than the betrothed meets the lady's vivaciously beautiful younger sister Dorothy (Laura La Plante), arriving home from college. Dorothy thoroughly despises Him too! At first, that is!
While a date is set for the wedding, Bobby's thought's gravitate more, and more, towards Dorothy. But enamored Jane is oblivious, and remains totally in the dark about this? Still under Robert's potent spell, she envisions an impending union of eternal bliss! Dorothy struggles mightily, but ultimately fails to stave off her own growing feelings for the man, who belongs to her older sister. Likewise the fiancée, is equally Smitten with her too!
Finally, after a close call on a steep ridge, Bobby and Dorothy can no longer hold back, or avoid each other! He vows to break the news gently to Jane, confident "She Will Understand"! Once confronted little Sis breaks down, and gestures to him not to reveal the truth to her! The nuptials go forth as planned, and Jane and Bobby are Be-Wed after all! Needless to say the pairing is doomed from the very start! Again, I won't give the rest away here.
The principle characters are wonderful, with good back up support provided by the likes of Wanda Hawley, and Tully Marshall. Laura La Plante meantime, as Dorothy, is C-U-T-E! Oh so cute, much cuter than in THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1927), or even THE LOVE TRAP (1929)! What a Dolly! She makes this film, with her boisterous on-screen personality!
All and all, I would have to say I am pretty pleased with my first order from SUNRISE SILENTS. The music could certainly be much better than it is, but I can probably dub in my own scores later on anyway?
Another SUNRISE SILENTS acquisition, the print quality is much shaper than it was with MANTRAP (1926). Universal Pictures SMOULDERING FIRES (1925), is an unjustly little known Silent, from a very big year in films! This is a superb drama, Directed by another big name guy, Clarence Brown!
In the opening, a stuffy older woman Jane Vale (Pauline Frederick), is A very private, no nonsense corporate lady. She inherited her fathers business, and is virtually irreproachable! Perhaps justly loathed by her minions! No one has ever had the brass to stand up to her! No sir, all decisions were final with her. Until that is, She collides with plucky Robert Elliot (Malcolm McGregor)! A handsome younger man in her employ, who has the nerve to criticize her openly! Needless to say, It's a rough relationship at first, but than Jane clearly isn't interested in romance at this point. However, the pendulum swiftly swing's in that direction.
The sadly forgotten Frederick, gives us a memorable, and emotion charged performance. Inspired by Her Man, She quickly revises herself and becomes much more youthful! Juxtaposed to the rather Mannish, and decidedly unattractive presence, she initially conveys. Quickly transforming from a dowdy wearer of suits, to something much more feminine. Towards the end of the film, she actually looks a full 15 years younger than she did in the beginning!
No longer obsessed with just business, Jane soon falls, and falls hard for suave Bobby. Promoting him to second in command behind Her. Naturally, this doesn't set well with Her other workers! In the face of considerable gossip, the couple plan to Marry, but than the betrothed meets the lady's vivaciously beautiful younger sister Dorothy (Laura La Plante), arriving home from college. Dorothy thoroughly despises Him too! At first, that is!
While a date is set for the wedding, Bobby's thought's gravitate more, and more, towards Dorothy. But enamored Jane is oblivious, and remains totally in the dark about this? Still under Robert's potent spell, she envisions an impending union of eternal bliss! Dorothy struggles mightily, but ultimately fails to stave off her own growing feelings for the man, who belongs to her older sister. Likewise the fiancée, is equally Smitten with her too!
Finally, after a close call on a steep ridge, Bobby and Dorothy can no longer hold back, or avoid each other! He vows to break the news gently to Jane, confident "She Will Understand"! Once confronted little Sis breaks down, and gestures to him not to reveal the truth to her! The nuptials go forth as planned, and Jane and Bobby are Be-Wed after all! Needless to say the pairing is doomed from the very start! Again, I won't give the rest away here.
The principle characters are wonderful, with good back up support provided by the likes of Wanda Hawley, and Tully Marshall. Laura La Plante meantime, as Dorothy, is C-U-T-E! Oh so cute, much cuter than in THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1927), or even THE LOVE TRAP (1929)! What a Dolly! She makes this film, with her boisterous on-screen personality!
All and all, I would have to say I am pretty pleased with my first order from SUNRISE SILENTS. The music could certainly be much better than it is, but I can probably dub in my own scores later on anyway?
