This is a real surprise - an entirely enjoyable comedy based on character, not slapstick, expertly directed by Clarence Brown and with a quartet of subtle performances, none of which is exaggerated, all perfectly natural and heart-warming.
Talmadge is very inventive and very funny as the waif, yearning for Colman, who is dapper, assured and certainly the handsomest leading man in silent films. Astor is a scream as the desperate gold-digger and Arthur almost steals the film away from Talmade as Adolphe, her valet nemesis. Facial expressions are natural, movement is as well. It is very much a photographed stage play with only ten sequences, the first running a third of the film's length. Yet, it never seems stagey or stiff.
Were there Oscars then, I'd have bet Talmadge, director Brown and supporting actor Arthur would have snagged noms, plus the ornate Art Direction.
A winner on every level and one of Talmadge's best. The Kino DVD of the LOC restoration is impeccable, clear, crisp and bright.
Talmadge is very inventive and very funny as the waif, yearning for Colman, who is dapper, assured and certainly the handsomest leading man in silent films. Astor is a scream as the desperate gold-digger and Arthur almost steals the film away from Talmade as Adolphe, her valet nemesis. Facial expressions are natural, movement is as well. It is very much a photographed stage play with only ten sequences, the first running a third of the film's length. Yet, it never seems stagey or stiff.
Were there Oscars then, I'd have bet Talmadge, director Brown and supporting actor Arthur would have snagged noms, plus the ornate Art Direction.
A winner on every level and one of Talmadge's best. The Kino DVD of the LOC restoration is impeccable, clear, crisp and bright.