A stunningly romantic drama, set in Paris in pre-WWI, based on a play by Austin Strong, adapted by Benjamin Glazer (Katherine Hilliker and HH Caldwell are credited as 'editors' and title writers). That a film can retain such power over almost a hundred years is impressive indeed.And indeed I have to attribute its success in part to Janet Gaynor, who is just great as the depressed and bullied sister of Gladys Brockwell, a monstrous drunk - the scene where the sister flees and is beaten whilst the camera tracks back into the street is incredible. Gaynor also won the Oscar.
Enter sewer worker Charles Farrell ("I am a remarkable person!") who grudgingly and reluctantly gets involved and transforms her life.
Memorable dialogue (OK, titles) - when he kisses her - "I didn't mean it. Don't think you can stay."
Full of so many good moments I don't want to list them for fear of spoiling my next viewing, but I was variously in tears, laughing out loud and on the edge of my seat. The war scenes are as strong as anything in The Big Parade. It's great to finally catch up with these great classics and find out how terribly good they are.
Great synchronized score and effects - innovative mix of soundtracks between domesticity and war, well edited (by Barney Wolf). Borzage won Oscar as Best Director for his masterpiece.
Photographed by Ernest Palmer and Joe Valentine in 1.2:1.
With Albert Gran, David Butler (fellow street cleaner), Marie Mosquini, Emil Chautard, Ben Bard, George E Stone (the 'Rat').
I have to rethink things: the first Golden Age of Hollywood was the twenties.
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