Sunday, 3 May 2026

Street Angel (1928 Frank Borzage)

Perhaps not quite in the same league as 7th Heaven but another strong slice of romantic drama from Borzage again teaming Janet Gaynor with Charles Farrell. Set in Napoli it has a seriously gripping beginning in which Angela needs money for her mum's prescription, clumsily attempts to solicit a man, steals and is immediately caught and sent to prison, makes a plucky escape, finds her mum dead, and then is protected by a travelling circus who hide her from the police in the drum that has been damaged in scene one! Phew!

And then she meets artist Farrell.

Has great moments like the policeman who will allow Gaynor one last hour with him. or the prostitute who tries to seduce him, and the very powerful ending where the lovers reunite and he tries to kill her...



Gaynor is brilliant again. Her last appearance was in The Love Boat in 1981! Other notable films: The Young in Heart, A Star Is Born (the original) and Lucky Star, another Borzage-Farrell collaboration from 1929.

All glowingly shot by Ernest Palmer again, with Paul Ivano, impressive sets by Harry Oliver.

It's pronounced 'borZAYgee'.

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