The Statuette

King of Jazz (1930)

2015-03-21T16:28:00.000-04:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Art Direction

Herman Rosse

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

King of Jazz is the self-ascribed nickname for the star of this musical revue, which is presented in the device of "Paul Whiteman's Scrap Book." Throughout, melodies and anecdotes from Paul Whiteman and His Band are performed for the entertainment of audiences

The film was shot entirely with the two-color Technicolor process, but ingenuously developed methods in bringing the color blue to the silver screen for its "Rhapsody in Blue" number.

It also features the first animated Technicolor segment. In this particular part of the film, there is even an appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit - the Walt Disney character that famously preceded his iconic Mickey Mouse. A separate black-and-white sound cartoon - "My Pal Paul" - was released as a promotion for the film that also prominently featured Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as well as songs from the movie.

In yet another pioneering effort, this movie would also become the first feature film to have an entirely prerecorded soundtrack, which Paul Whiteman insisted upon in order to create an optimal sound quality.

Unfortunately, the picture would see little commercial success due to the over-saturation of movie-musicals and revues that had flooded the market following the advent of sound films, coupled with the early days of the Great Depression. Paul Whiteman's radio program would be cancelled as a result of this, forcing him to layoff many of his band members and reduce the salaries of those band members he was able to retain.

In addition to this, the newly enforced censorship code also demanded that re-releases cut approximately twelve minutes of material that was deemed unsuitable. Though prints of the uncensored film still survive, the censored version is what was made available upon its videocassette release.

Editorial:

While there seems to be an enthusiasm from the talent on hand (and there is a great deal of it), this does operate as pretty standard fare. Offerings of various musical numbers, vaudeville acts and sketches are broad in nature and seem awfully disconnected. But, with that, this feature just happened to pioneer some things that are taken for granted today. Given the mediocrity of the movie itself mixed with genius artistry, it makes complete sense that audiences were unwilling to support it in the way that the industry did.

Score | 05/10 | This motion picture may be worth watching.

With Byrd at the South Pole (1930)

2015-03-15T02:56:00.001-04:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Cinematography

Joseph T. Rucker

Willard Van der Veer

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

With Byrd at the South Pole is a documentary that focuses on "the conquest of the last mighty forces of Nature." Rear-Admiral Richard E. Byrd is the Conqueror of the North and South Poles, the only man to fly over the top and bottom of the world. The achievements of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition merge with Paramount to present a story of great human adventure recorded by two ace cameramen as Byrd makes an historic Polar flight over the South Pole.

It was the first documentary film to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and the first documentary film to win an Academy Award for any category, in general.

Editorial:

This milestone in documentary film-making should be mandatory viewing for any audience that enjoys nonfiction storytelling. It is a one-of-a-kind movie for its time that can only be described as a daring and courageous tribute to realism cinema.

With its goal of capturing history on camera, its diplomatic approach to wildlife and the human condition, and its enthusiasm for exploration and adventure, there is virtually nothing that viewers are left wanting with this bold effort - especially when taking into account the beautiful photography!

Score | 09/10 | This motion picture may be required viewing.

Madame X (1929)

2015-03-13T11:13:00.000-04:00

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Directing

Lionel Barrymore

Best Actress

Ruth Chatterton

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 2 nominations in 1928-29.

Madame X is Jacqueline Floriot, a woman who spends her life running away from her past as an adulterous outcast, until she finally commits a heinous murder in order to silence a man who intends to reveal her sins. An inexperienced, young lawyer is appointed as her public defender and it becomes his mission to garner sympathy for this woman as he is simultaneously unaware of the mysterious connection that the two of them share.

It is based on the play by Alexandre Bisson.

Although this is a sound film, there is no music during the opening credits or end titles. This is because, at the time, studios were still expecting individual theaters to provide their own musicians to perform during these portions of the movie.

Editorial:

Backtracking. This hard-to-find film has now been reviewed after being put on hold.

It is absolutely tragic that this movie is horrifically boring for more than two-thirds its length, because the final half-hour is actually deeply engaging. Putting aside a longer-than-needed setup, once the murder occurs, the story and performances pick up significantly.

Ruth Chatterton's courtroom scene is a fantastic showcase for her talent, and the underlying message of attempting to understand those who commit villainous acts is a noble endeavor. Unfortunately, it takes so painfully long to get there.

Score | 04/10 | This motion picture is worth trying.

The Letter (1929)

2015-03-10T19:45:00.000-04:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Jeanne Eagels

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

The Letter follows Leslie Crosbie, who is a lonely woman that has become involved in an affair with a man named Geoffrey Hammond. While her husband is away, she lures Hammond to her home and brutally murders him after learning that he has been living with a Chinese woman. A single letter, however, must be bought and suppressed, or her guilt will otherwise be made public.

It is adapted from the play by W. Somerset Maugham.

Jeanne Eagels tragically died of a drug overdose shortly after the completion of this film, thus becoming the first actress to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination.

Once considered a lost film, a workprint was rediscovered and placed back into circulation in 2011.

Editorial:

Backtracking. This hard-to-find film has now been reviewed after being put on hold.

This particular film is both absolutely preposterous and unforgivably racist. While one can certainly comprehend a corrupt justice system that would garner sympathy for a maddened Caucasian woman, this movie weaves a world that simply could never exist in which the presence of a Chinese person only offers an opportunity for stereotypes to strangle any ounce of worth this film may have had. The worst part is that a performance by Jeanne Eagels that could have been memorable for the sake of its performance becomes memorable for all of the wrong reasons.

Score | 01/10 | This motion picture is definitely not worth watching.

Weary River (1929)

2015-03-08T19:43:00.000-04:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Directing

Frank Lloyd

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

Weary River begins when Jerry Larrabee and his gang shoot an innocent bystander. Even though the boys decide that it would be in their best interest to lay low for a while, Larrabee is pinched and the Court mandates that he serve from one to ten years in prison. Insistent on not taking the rap, he becomes an uncontrollable prisoner until he gets wise and finally finds the outlet his soul desires: musicianship. But can a convict really become The Master of Melody?

Frank Lloyd lost the Academy Award for directing this film to himself for directing another film in the same year; The Divine Lady (1929).

This film was produced partially as a silent film with title cards and partially as a sound film with audible dialogue, as production occurred during the industry's transition to talkies, The existing print is preserved with the Library of Congress and was a joint restoration project of the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and Warner Bros. / Turner Entertainment Company.

Richard Barthelmess does not provide vocals for the film's title track, "Weary River," that is performed throughout the film. Instead, his singing was dubbed by that of lesser-known actor, Johnny Murray, who had planned on loaning his voice to Richard Barthelmess again in the future, had Barthelmess ever decided to star in another musical.

Editorial:

Backtracking. This hard-to-find film has now been reviewed after being put on hold.

This film suffers from a massive identity crisis in terms of medium. Producing a film in which silent scenes are inter-cut with sound scenes could possibly make for an interesting way to experience a film, but the purposelessness of how this movie does it feels borderline schizophrenic.

On top of this, the story seems to scratch the poignant surface of a social issue in which a culture is unwilling to recognize convicted criminals as reformed citizens, but wastes the opportunity and instead nosedives into the melodramatic. It really could have been something more than it actually was.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

The Hollywood Revue (1929)

2015-03-06T19:23:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Picture

M-G-M

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

The Hollywood Revue, or The Hollywood Revue of 1929, is a film recording of a variety show presented by Masters of Ceremonies, Jack Benny and Conrad Nagel, featuring Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most famous studio contract players billed as their Galaxy of Stars. This theatrical stage show features musical numbers, sketches and vaudeville acts from the Albertina Rasch Ballet Company, Nils Asther, Lionel Barrymore, the Brox Sisters, James Burrows, Joan Crawford, Dane and Arthur, Marion Davies, Marie Dressler, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards, Gus Edwards, John Gilbert, William Haines, Buster Keaton, Beth Laemmle, Laurel and Hardy, Gwen Lee, Bessie Love, the M-G-M Chorus, Myrtle McLaughlin, Polly Moran, Natova and Company, Anita Page, June Purcell, the Rounders, and Norma Shearer.

The two notable holdouts from MGM are Greta Garbo and Lon Chaney. Both were expected to appear in the film, but Garbo opted to use Anna Christie (1930) as a vehicle for her sound film debut, and Chaney requested to be paid his regular salary which could not feasibly be done with the production budget.

The movie features three segments that were filmed in Technicolor, all of which survive to this day. The first segment is a spoof of the balcony scene from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" featuring Lionel Barrymore, John Gilbert and Norma Shearer. The second segment is the musical number "Orange Blossom Time" featuring Charles King, Myrtle McLaughlin and the Albertina Rasch Ballet Company. The third segment is the final musical number, a reprise of "Singing in the Rain" performed by the ensemble cast - notable for being the first film recording of this particular song. Initially, some screenings would fill the theater with an aroma of orange blossoms to accompany "Orange Blossom Time," but this experience was short-lived after numerous patrons suffered allergic reactions.

The cinematic classic Singin' in the Rain (1952) - a satire of the transition from silent films to talkies - drew inspiration and was heavily influenced by this particular film. It famously borrowed its title and opening number from the Technicolor finale. But in addition to this, it also played upon silent film star, John Gilbert's, unsuccessful attempt to continue working in sound films after his disastrous high-pitched performance as Romeo in the parody of the "Romeo and Juliet" balcony scene.

Editorial:

Backtracking. This hard-to-find film has now been reviewed after being put on hold.

There seems to be little affection for this unique picture that arrived at the dawn of sound films, which is probably due to the excess of stale jokes and the inability of some famous silent stars to break into the world of sound films. It also has the misfortune of its Vitaphone sound discs no longer existing, causing the left-side of the screen to be cropped and the entire film to be framed off-center.

Honestly, though, this is actually quite a great concept that MGM was willing to run with. Instead of deciding to piecemeal each individual star into a talkie to see if audiences would embrace their newly discovered voices, this movie took virtually all of the studio's major contract actors and placed them into one vehicle to introduce them as potential talkie players to the public as a whole. The result is actually quite pleasant, as it became a production filled with so many stars that otherwise may have never appeared together. Displaying their intelligence on the matter, they would also allow Buster Keaton to retain his status as a silent star and merely make an appearance, as if to say, "he is still The Great Stone Face and he always will be."

Score | 06/10 | This motion picture is worth watching.

Disraeli (1929)

2015-03-04T18:19:00.000-05:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actor

George Arliss

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Warner Bros.

Best Writing

Julien Josephon

It won 1 Oscars out of a total of 3 nominations in 1929-30.

Disraeli is the passionate Prime Minister of England in 1874 who has great intentions of creating a British empire. However, with little to no support, he must walk a legislative tightrope in order to sway the House of Commons into ratifying the purchase of the Suez Canal.

It is adapted from the play by Louis N. Parker.

Mr. George Arliss had originally starred as the titular character in the Broadway play, the revival of the Broadway play, and a silent film adaptation in 1921. Approximately a decade after his Oscar-winning turn in this talkie, he would again reprise his role in a radio adaptation for the "Lux Radio Theatre" radio anthology series. Mr. George Arliss's wife, Florence Arliss, would appear alongside him as Prime Minister Disraeli's wife, Lady Beaconsfield, in each of these productions, as well.

Only the 1934 re-release of the film survives, which had its Vitaphone sound discs replaced with updated sound recording technology. Doing so unfortunately caused the left-side of the frame to be noticeably cropped. Because the original Vitaphone sound discs no longer exist, one is only able to view the cropped version. Additionally, three minutes of footage had been deleted to appease the newly enforced censors and are now believed to be lost, as well.

Editorial:

This film feels like an early political drama, albeit a rather uninteresting one that concerns itself with British imperialism while glorifying ethnocentrism of the day. The performances are fine and it is technically well accomplished. But this movie suffers the misfortune of having part of its frame missing throughout the entire feature, and it is painfully obvious for majority of the time. This may be forgiven if you can imagine the sound quality (which is good) being worlds better than the original, and have an appreciation for the clean restoration that it was given. Because these are, indeed, the positives.

Score | 04/10 | This motion picture is worth trying.

The Big House (1930)

2015-03-03T06:29:00.001-05:00

Winner of 2 Academy Awards:

Best Writing

Frances Marion

Best Sound Recording

Douglas Shearer

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Cosmopolitan

Best Actor

Wallace Beery

It won 2 Oscars out of a total of 4 nominations in 1929-30.

The Big House begins when good-natured Kent is booked to serve a decade sentence after killing a man in a drunk-driving accident. He is then placed in a holding cell with two cellmates: approachable leader, Morgan, and intimidating conman, Butch. The criminals bide their time in the slammer, becoming involved in mess-hall riots and occasionally doing stretches in solitary confinement, before a breakout attempt enters its planning stages. When the screws get word, a successful escape hinges on whether an inmate is willing to squeal or not.

This was the first film to win an Academy Award for Sound Recording, and the Oscar presented to Frances Marion for penning the story and dialogue made her the first woman to receive an Academy Award in a category that was not for Best Actress.

Wallace Beery had been a notable supporting player in silent films before the advent of sound. His studio ultimately dropped him and he had been out of work for an entire year before earning one of the leading roles in this movie. Due to the film's success, Wallace Beery's career skyrocketed and he soon became one of the highest paid actors on the planet.

Editorial:

This movie was such a pleasant surprise. It excels in its writing and performances in a way that is quite outstanding for a film from this era. The entire picture is engaging from start to finish and is able to maintain interest from even a modern-day audience. Although Wallace Beery was singled out for his work, Chester Morris and Robert Montgomery were just as compelling. Regardless, it is pleasing that someone was recognized in this capacity.

Score | 07/10 | This motion picture may be essential viewing.

Hell's Angels (1930)

2015-02-28T04:28:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Cinematography

Tony Gaudio

Harry Perry

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

Hell's Angels follows two brothers, Roy and Monte, as they enlist in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and attempt to woo the same woman. But after the brothers sign up for a dangerous mission, the fate of the two is quickly called into question.

A last surviving print of this film that still contained the color segments was discovered in John Wayne's private vault in 1989. It was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

This picture was plagued with problems throughout its entire production. Originally conceived and shot as a silent film, producer and director, Howard Hughes, decided to re-shoot the entire film as a talkie when sound equipment became available. This caused production to replace their leading lady, run over-schedule, and completely over-budget - in fact, it was the most expensive film ever made at the time. Additionally, three pilots died during filming, and Howard Hughes was severely injured after attempting an aerial stunt that even the stunt pilots were unwilling to do.

Further troubles arose when it was discovered that Warner Bros. had planned to produce The Dawn Patrol (1930). Howard Hughes tried earnestly to prevent them from making the film, as he saw it as a direct competitor to his own. He went so far as to buy up the leases for every period aircraft that he could in order to prevent them from going into production, and even filed a lawsuit against them alleging that they had plagiarized his film. Hughes would ultimately lose the lawsuit, however, and The Dawn Patrol (1930) would, ironically, see a release even before Hell's Angels.

Editorial:

What this film lacks in story, it more than makes up in craftsmanship. The eclectic use of film-making techniques no doubt lends itself to the self-conversion of silent to talkie. Obviously it is a sound film, but title cards are still present at times for the purposes of exposition and translating German (possibly a predecessor to subtitles). There are also several color segments throughout, utilizing both modern and early technology. One scene was filmed in Multicolor and printed in Technicolor, while other segments were tinted and hand-colored. So, this makes for quite an incredible viewing experience, especially when one considers the time in which this was made.

Score | 08/10 | This motion picture is essential viewing.

Street of Chance (1930)

2015-02-27T04:38:00.001-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Writing

Howard Estabrook

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

Street of Chance follows J.B. "Natural Davis" Marsden who is a bondsman by day and a gambler by night. His ability to master the odds and play the percentages has granted him an incredible reputation within the seedy underworld of New York City. But when his brother decides to get in on the action, "Natural Davis" must make a decision that could jeopardize the reputation he has built for himself.

This film is loosely based on the life of famed New York gambler and mob kingpin, Arnold Rothstein.

Editorial:

This film is certainly refreshing (for its time) in that it focuses on the subculture of crooked gamblers, but the fact that the characters are hardly believable and the story seems so unrealistic is both unfortunate and off-putting. Especially since this movie is supposed to be, at least somewhat, based on a true events. Furthermore, considering how boring it can be at times feels so unnecessary when a biopic of Arnold Rothstein (who may or may not have been involved with the Black Sox Scandal) should have made for quite an interesting film.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

Their Own Desire (1929)

2015-02-14T22:56:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Norma Shearer

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

Their Own Desire follows the story of a woman named Lally who becomes upset when she learns that her parents are divorcing due to an affair that her father has had. These circumstances become complicated after learning that her new-found love interest is the son of her father's other woman.

It is based on the novel of the same name by Sarita Fuller.

Norma Shearer lost the Academy Award for this film to herself in another film: The Divorcee (1930).

One can still swim in the swimming pools featured in the film at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, California. The diving boards and diving platforms, however, are no longer in existence.

Editorial:

The story is honestly rather silly and unbelievable. But, with that, the beautiful Norma Shearer gives a fantastic performance, the production design is good, and the photography is interesting at times. As the film is relatively short, it is much appreciated that it does not feel the need to drag the story out for longer than is necessary. This always makes the viewing experience a little better.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

Bulldog Drummond (1929)

2015-02-09T20:49:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Actor

Ronald Colman

Best Art Direction

William Cameron Menzies

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 2 nominations in 1929-30.

Bulldog Drummond is looking for adventure when he is contacted by a woman named Phyllis who claims to be in great danger. Soon he must match wits with the mysterious Dr. Lakington, whose nursing home becomes the prime setting of the action that Drummond is looking for.

It is based on the international stage success by Sapper. This is the first talkie (and third feature film) in the Bulldog Drummond series.

"Bulldog Drummond" was an extremely successful adventure franchise that was produced in the form of novels, short stories, stage plays, films, and a radio show. Acclaimed director, Alfred Hitchcock, had even expressed interest in directing a film using the character. Unable to obtain the rights, however, the film would actually be produced in the form of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

Bulldog Drummond would also later act as a significant influence for the character of James Bond.

Editorial:

This film has a slow pace, but there are a number of elements to it that keep the audience engaged. It comes with several visually interesting moments throughout the movie that effectively use windows and shadows (or a combination thereof). Bulldog Drummond, as a character, is also very well developed. He is probably one of the earliest iconic screen heroes and looks dashing in his getup: a trench-coat with a popped-up collar, a scarf, a fedora, and a handsome mustache.

Score | 04/10 | This motion picture is worth trying.

Hallelujah (1929)

2015-02-07T18:36:00.002-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Directing

King Vidor

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.

Hallelujah, or Hallelujah!, is the story of a buck-and-a-half cotton-picker named Zeke, who is swindled by conman, Hot Shot, and temptress, Chick. After the death of his friend, Spunk, he decides to reform his life and become a preacher. Ultimately, he takes revenge on those who have wronged him in the past and must seek redemption from his community.

Director, King Vidor, had long been interested in pursuing this project and capitalized on the advent of sound films in order to finally get it off the ground. He was so passionate about doing this movie, which would become his first talkie, that he agreed to not even take a salary for his work so that it could get made. These were the terms that MGM had because they were uncertain as to whether this film could be successful or not.

This is widely considered to be the first film to feature an all-black cast, even though this is not entirely true. Certainly, a more accurate description would be that this is the first mainstream film to feature an all-black cast. Such a feat was accomplished by recruiting nearly four-hundred persons of color who were not professional actors. It would go on to become both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Editorial:

The fact that this film was made merely fourteen years after The Birth of a Nation (1915) makes its story even more incredible. What is so moving about this picture is that, even though the story does not entirely support it, the film is a celebration of black music.

King Vidor once again contributes a cultural artifact of utmost significance. It is so important that everyone should view this at some point in their life. If you have any interest whatsoever in black history, black music, or cultural diversity, this is an absolute must-see.

Score | 09/10 | This motion picture may be required viewing.

Anna Christie (1930)

2015-02-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards:

Best Directing

Clarence Brown

Best Actress

Greta Garbo

Best Cinematography

William H. Daniels

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 3 nominations in 1929-30.

Anna Christie is the titular character who is reunited with her father, a barge captain who is rather fond of the drink. After the two rescue a sailor, Anna becomes romantically involved. But her dark past as a prostitute still haunts her and she remains untrustworthy of men.

It is an adaptation of the play by Eugene O'Neill.

Three versions of this particular film were made at the time. One was recorded in English, a second was recorded in German, and a third was released as a silent film complete with title cards.

This film was the first talkie for Greta Garbo and allowed her to successfully transition from silent films to sound films. Her studio was actually weary of allowing her to appear in a talkie for the first time, and with good reason. Critics and audiences were indeed taken aback by the unexpectedly deep voice of Garbo.

It was, however, a box office sensation and became the highest-grossing film of 1930.

Editorial:

There are simply very few noteworthy elements discuss regarding this film other than that it is uninteresting and the drinking in this movie is excessive. So excessive that it is probably the most memorable element of the entire picture. Even Greta Garbo's famous quote is a drink order.

The single positive thing about this film is that there are a handful of very interesting shots at different points. There are some shots of the barge in the midst of a storm that are technically well done, and the shots of the roller coaster and the high striker at the carnival are outstanding. But it is hardly worth watching just for these brief moments.

Score | 02/10 | This motion picture is not worth watching.

The Divorcee (1930)

2015-02-05T00:36:00.000-05:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Norma Shearer

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

M-G-M

Best Directing

Robert Z. Leonard

Best Writing

John Meehan

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 4 nominations in 1929-30.

The Divorcee is a drama about an unfaithful businesswoman named Jerry. After becoming involved in an adulterous affair with another man, her marriage comes to an end. As she begins to start a new life, she is filled with regrets about her actions and longs to reconnect with her ex-husband.

The film is based off of the bestselling novel, "Ex-Wife," by Ursula Parrott. However, the film does not directly credit the novel as its source material, which was an attempt to disassociate the film from such a controversial book. Only the author is credited.

Director, Robert Z. Leonard, would also not be given a directing credit for the film and, instead, be credited as a producer. Despite this, he would still receive an Oscar nomination for Best Directing.

Norma Shearer had not been seriously considered for the leading role, as she was deemed to have very little sex appeal. Even her husband, Irving Thalberg (who was the production head at MGM), did not believe she was right for the part. It was only after Shearer commissioned a photo shoot to demonstrate her potential that she was finally given the coveted role.

Editorial:

This movie is enjoyable and offers an incredible performance by Norma Shearer. Make no mistake, she is the reason to watch this picture.

Although much of the film plays out in a very subdued manner, there are two sequences that are particularly worth noting. The first is an early sequence involving a car accident that is so technically well done, it becomes a stand-out moment. The second is a very imaginative sequence in which a series of dates is told through the usage of hands. It is actually a brilliant deviation away from the rest of the movie and slightly elevates the film as a whole.

The lack of discussion about the acceptable nature of unfaithful men versus the unacceptable nature of unfaithful woman is certainly a missed opportunity. My only complaint would be that this seems to be clearly overlooked. Especially for a Pre-Code film.

Score | 05/10 | This motion picture may be worth watching.

The Love Parade (1929)

2015-02-04T13:08:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 6 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Paramount Famous Lasky

Best Directing

Ernst Lubitsch

Best Actor

Maurice Chevalier

Best Cinematography

Victor Milner

Best Art Direction

Hans Dreier

Best Sound Recording

Franklin Hansen

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 6 nominations in 1929-30.

The Love Parade is a musical-comedy set in the fictional country of Sylvania where her majesty, Queen Louise, is under significant pressure to marry a suitor. But after Count Alfred Renard is caught having affairs with women in Paris, he is ordered to stop his philandering and is punished by Queen Louise, who forces him to remain in her palace and do "anything to please the Queen." The marriage of these circumstances becomes inevitable.

The film is an adaptation of the play, "The Prince Consort," by Leon Xanrof and Jules Chancel. It was Ernst Lubitsch's first sound film and is often cited as being the first movie musical to utilize its song score as a storytelling device.

Released just three weeks after the events of Black Tuesday, the financial success of this film helped rescue Paramount Famous Lasky studios from the infamous Wall Street Crash of 1929.

Editorial:

If one has yet to be introduced to the Ernst Lubitsch filmography, this is probably the most accessible of his efforts. It is a little rough around the edges, given that it is such an early talkie, but it packs the star-power of the charming Maurice Chevalier and the ever-dazzling Jeanette MacDonald as they share in a remarkable chemistry together.

Bonus points for its strange connection to Wonder Boys (2000)!

Score | 05/10 | This motion picture may be worth watching.

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

2015-02-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

Winner of 2 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Universal

Best Directing

Lewis Milestone

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Writing

George Abbott

Maxwell Anderson

Del Andrews

Best Cinematography

Arthur Edeson

It won 2 Oscars out of a total of 4 nominations in 1929-30.

All Quiet on the Western Front is "neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure" as it attempts to "tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war." Set during World War I, the story follows a group of students who enlist as German soldiers in the Second Company. With a man named Paul as the focal point, the combatants gradually begin to question what, if anything, they are fighting for.

It is based off of the novel by Erich Maria Remarque.

The film was the first production to be awarded with Oscars for both Best Picture and Best Directing. Incidentally, Lewis Milestone also became the first director to be awarded with multiple Oscars for Best Directing, after having previously taken home a trophy for Two Arabian Knights (1927).

Many extras and consultants on the film were actually German veterans that had fought in World War I, which helped in creating an unmatched sense of realism and authenticity.

No stranger to controversy, the film was initially banned in Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Australia. It had originally been submitted with a run-time of 147 minutes, but cuts were made to appease censors and broaden the appeal to audiences. Several re-releases were also edited down. By the time the film received its restoration, no complete print existed and the length of the cut now stands at 133 minutes.

Editorial:

Quite possibly the first genuine masterpiece of the sound era, there are few words that can do this film justice in terms of its greatness. Provocative, dangerous, violent, disturbing and controversial, All Quiet on the Western Front challenges the audience to reflect on the futility of war and the personal damage that it wreaks on its participants.

This movie is incredible in terms of capitalizing on the philosophical discussions between its characters. The bulk of the film does not even take place on the battlefield, but rather in between combat experiences where the troops constantly question their own mortality and ponder how countries or peoples can be offensive towards one another. The celebration of its anti-war message certainly lends itself to the film's brutal honesty and no-holds-barred approach to such a major social issue.

Score | 09/10 | This motion picture may be required viewing.

Our Dancing Daughters (1928)

2015-02-01T21:16:00.000-05:00

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Writing

Josephine Lovett

Best Cinematography

George Barnes

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 2 nominations in 1928-29.

Our Dancing Daughters offers a commentary on the decline of youthful morality as the story centers around the saintly Diana (the Dangerous) and her friendship with a gold-digging woman named Ann. The two both fancy a well-known football player from Alabama, and the pivotal question becomes who will ultimately win his heart.

This film helped catapult Joan Crawford to superstardom.

While this film does not feature any audible dialogue, it was synchronized for sound and utilized instrumental music, song recordings and sound effects.

Editorial:

It is certainly easy to understand how this was Joan Crawford's breakout performance, as she is easily one of the most memorable elements of this picture. There are also many beautiful interior shots and even more gorgeous exterior shots, providing high quality production design.

Though Crawford may or may not have gone completely insane by the end of her career, her beauty and on-screen charisma are undeniable.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

Alibi (1929)

2012-03-06T20:04:00.003-05:00

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Feature Productions

Best Actor

Chester Morris

Best Art Direction

William Cameron Menzies

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 3 nominations in 1928-29.

Alibi is a crime melodrama about an ex-convict named Chick Williams who rejoins the mob after being released from prison. He soon, however, becomes the prime suspect when a policeman is murdered, and is protected only by an alibi that involves the National Theatre, a dizzy dame and an undercover officer posing as an alcoholic stockbroker.

The film was based on a Broadway stage play entitled "Nightstick."

A silent version of the film was released at the same time as the sound version and reportedly contains alternative scenes that were shot especially for it.

Editorial:

This movie seemed very experimental. There are a lot of visually interesting moments peppered throughout, but are unfortunately overlooked by the poor sound recording. The dialogue is hard to hear most of the time, the sound effects are abnormally loud and the distracting noise picked up by the microphones remains constant.

Much of it feels like a silent film with how it is staged, but the portions of long-winded and stale conversation make it evident that this is an artifact from the early days of talkies. The silent version may be of interest considering the quality of the sound version.

Score | 04/10 | This motion picture is worth trying.

White Shadows in the South Seas (1928)

2012-01-15T23:48:00.003-05:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Cinematography

Clyde De Vinna

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

White Shadows in the South Seas takes us to the last remnant of an earthly paradise in the coral atolls of the South Pacific where white men are attempting to bring civilization to the native peoples. A lone doctor, however, becomes ashamed of his race after witnessing the exploitation of the natives for the sake of acquiring precious pearls, and is ultimately shunned. Finding himself marooned on an untouched isle, he is greeted as a "white god" by the indigenous tribe and becomes romantically involved with an island woman. But temptation leads to terror when the good doctor must confront his own humanity and greed for pearls.

The film is based on the novel by Frederick O'Brien and actually cited as being a "camera record" of the book. It was indeed filmed on location and primarily used islanders as actors in the film - though it must be noted that it was shot in Tahiti and not in Marquesas, as the credits state.

Most interestingly, this movie is famous for being the first MGM film with a pre-recorded soundtrack and, thus, the first MGM film to feature the sound of their trademark lion roaring at the beginning.

Editorial:

This movie is a well-done adventure-romance that is incredibly photographed and, almost as a bonus, offers up a social commentary on "civilizing" indigenous tribes.

It must definitely be recognized that the plot of this film has, to date, been completely overdone - formulating itself into such recent incarnations as Dances with Wolves (1990), Pocahontas (1995) and Avatar (2009) - to name a few. Though this does make it insanely predictable, it is still a very enjoyable experience. It is technically well-done and, considering the period in which the film was released, extremely refreshing.

Score | 07/10 | This motion picture may be essential viewing.

A Woman of Affairs (1928)

2012-01-05T22:04:00.004-05:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Writing

Bess Meredyth

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

A Woman of Affairs centers around the exploits of a gallant lady named Diana and the path of destruction paved by her tragic romance with childhood sweetheart, Neville. Although the two have vowed their love for one another, Neville flees to Egypt in order to garner wealth and protect his father's honor. Growing impatient, Diana ultimately marries faithful rower, David, at the insistence of her hero-worshiping brother and, in doing so, triggers a chain of events surrounding death and deceit.

The film is actually based on a play entitled "The Green Hat," but severed all ties from its source material by changing the title and character names. Such changes were made due to the controversial subject matter in the play. In addition to that, cuts were made from the original script in order to appease the censors - most notably, the unexplained reason for Diana's illness, which was (according to the script and presumably the original play) due to a miscarriage.

Despite these concerns, it would place itself in the ranks of the top twenty box office draws of 1929.

Editorial:

Suspenseful, provocative, dark and edgy, the film takes twists and turns that are both gripping and unpredictable. Although, at times, it can be a little over-the-top, it is - at the very least - entertaining. Its boldness is much appreciated and, even though the ending is completely ridiculous, it works well.

Score | 05/10 | This motion picture may be worth watching.

The Divine Lady (1929)

2012-01-03T23:48:00.006-05:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Directing

Frank Lloyd

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Actress

Corinne Griffith

Best Cinematography

John F. Seitz

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 3 nominations in 1928-29.

The Divine Lady is the story of the love and destiny of England's greatest beauty and England's greatest sailor. Set amidst the dawn of the French revolution, a cook's daughter transforms from being an unpolished gem into a rare jewel after playing a pivotal role in the ongoing war efforts.

This film accomplished the extremely rare feat of winning an Academy Award for Directing without having also been nominated for Best Picture.

The film's theme song, "Lady Divine," would go on to become quite a popular tune in 1929 and would be covered by numerous artists.

Editorial:

This film is standard fare for the time, presenting a narrative arc based around a "love conquers all" ideal. Story-wise, it was a little lackluster. However, the periodic occurrences of naval battles and mob riots were engaging enough. The overall production quality was impressive enough, which seemed to strive for an epic scope - even if it was only mildly successful.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

A Ship Comes In (1928)

2011-04-10T20:41:00.006-04:00

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Louise Dresser

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1927-28.

A Ship Comes In is about a family of immigrants coming to the United States in search of opportunity. The father, a patriotic man, quickly finds a job as a janitor and is eager to obtain citizenship. While his son joins the service out of love for country, the father's freedom becomes jeopardized when he is framed by a saboteur.

Copies of the film have been known to have circulated through Grapevine Video, a company that specializes in locating and restoring rare films.

Editorial:

Backtracking. This hard-to-find film has now been reviewed after being put on hold.

Little is known about this movie, and furthermore there is not a lot to say. It was interesting, but my biggest complaint is that I am not really sure what the message was supposed to be. Perhaps if I had more context, or knowledge about immigration at the time, I might understand it a lot better.

Score | 02/10 | This motion picture is not worth watching.

Coquette (1929)

2011-04-08T12:52:00.001-04:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Mary Pickford

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.

Coquette is a drama of the American South about a flirtatious southern belle and the company she keeps. After winning the heart of a gentleman that her father disapproves of, the couple defies the father's wishes and plans to marry. Discovering their intentions, a confrontation turns ugly, and a death sentence awaits someone. But can the testimony of a little coquette save this person, or bring him to justice?

Reports say that Mary Pickford was accused of "unfairly" winning her Academy Award by strongly lobbying for it and using her status in the industry to sway voters. It must be noted that, despite these claims, she was critically acclaimed for her performance at the time.

This was the first talkie for silent film star, Mary Pickford, and it allowed her to successfully transition into sound films after the picture was a box office success.

Editorial:

This movie works in the same fashion as a play, which makes sense, as it was based on a play. But as a film, it deviates away from a lot of conventions that are so attached to storytelling through films.

The best example I can give is this: most of the action takes place in the home of Mary Pickford's character. Even when there are two critical events in the story-line that take place elsewhere - the cabin of her suitor - they are never shown. Despite their significance to the plot, they are merely alluded to through dialogue between the characters at the coquette's home. At first, it seemed that it was simply impossible to secure the set for these cabin scenes, but this does not appear to be the case, as the cabin setting appears later in the film. As a viewer, this is confusing. The film could be a lot more interesting had they shown the two scenes that seemed worth watching.

Score | 03/10 | This motion picture may be worth trying.

In Old Arizona (1928)

2011-04-05T19:48:00.002-04:00

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actor

Warner Baxter

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Fox

Best Directing

Irving Cummings

Best Writing

Tom Barry

Best Cinematography

Arthur Edeson

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 5 nominations in 1928-29.

In Old Arizona is a western that follows notorious outlaw, the Cisco Kid. After robbing a stagecoach, an army sergeant pursues the bandit in hopes of obtaining the $5,000.00 reward for his head. A secret romance, however, turns to betrayal when the Kid's señorita wants in on the action.

Credited as the first sound western, it was also the first talkie to be filmed outdoors.

Raoul Walsh was originally cast in the lead role and set to direct the picture, but was forced to drop out after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident. Driving from Utah to California, a jackrabbit - believe it or not - jumped through the windshield of Walsh's car. Broken glass gashed his right eye, which he would ultimately end up losing, causing him to start wearing the eye-patch that he was so famous for.

Because of the accident, director Irving Cummings was brought in to work on the project, with Warner Baxter in the lead role. Walsh and Cummings would take co-director credits on the film, but it was only Cummings that the Academy ended up nominating for Best Directing.

A few distance shots of Walsh as the Cisco Kid also made it into the film, as well.

Editorial:

This was, indeed, a compelling story that was done really well. Baxter gives an outstanding performance, and the photography is great. Although the slow pace of the second act causes the film to drag, the first and third acts are very engaging. With such a satisfying resolution, complaints are minimal.

As a viewer, one must wonder how much of the film was directed by Walsh and how much of it was directed by Cummings. Warren Baxter is on-screen through most of the film, so the bulk of it was obviously done by Cummings. But which shots were done by Walsh? Quite curious.

Score | 07/10 | This motion picture may be essential viewing.