THE MAN OF GOLD is said to be the one surviving Alex Korda Hungarian film. It was made at the end of the boom in local production caused by the country's isolation during hostilities and is notable more as an example of the work of those involved than an achievement.
Oscar Beregi, their leading actor, comes on in a curly wig which shifts when he clutches his brow and manages to exude some authority with clever bits of business like intimidating sword stick armed Jenõ Horváth while keeping his hands behind his back or covering Ica von Lenkeffy's eyes when his own guilt overwhelms him.
She would shortly be Emil Jannings' Desdemona. On hand is Lili Berky in excessive eye shadow. The cast also figure in the Michael Curtiz' Hungarian silents.
Plot has Captain Beregi aiding the escape of Pasha Gyula Szöreghy and his daughter Margit Makay across the Donau pursued by a canon firing Turkish Galley and villainous police spy Gábor Rajnay. The Pasha perishes when the boat sinks but Beregi manages to save his jewel box and deliver the girl to the family of Horvath & Mari K. Demjén. With the jewel box as incentive, they take her in but place her as a servant in the home, to the concern of their daughter Berky.
Beregi has intuited that the Pasha's real treasure is hidden in the star and sickle wheat sacks on the half sunken boat and, getting the rights to those, uses this wealth to become an influential officer.
He obtains the hand of Makay, though she is sought by Captain Gusztáv Vándory. However Beregi's affections are captured by island squatter family girl von Lenkeffy, who he protects from blackmailing now one eyed Rajnay, who will fall foul of the law and be condemned to the galleys.
All is not well in the Beregi home where he has taken in Berky and her mother who conspire to denounce him to Makay. However she remains loyal, despite the damning testimony of vengeful Ranjav.
All ends conveniently happily.
Though elaborately decorated, the film lacks the complex staging of the Cutiz films - one shot taken through an open door. It will appeal only to the curious.
The copy, which is claimed to be incomplete, is nicely restored with music and tinting and running at what appears to be the intended speed.
Oscar Beregi, their leading actor, comes on in a curly wig which shifts when he clutches his brow and manages to exude some authority with clever bits of business like intimidating sword stick armed Jenõ Horváth while keeping his hands behind his back or covering Ica von Lenkeffy's eyes when his own guilt overwhelms him.
She would shortly be Emil Jannings' Desdemona. On hand is Lili Berky in excessive eye shadow. The cast also figure in the Michael Curtiz' Hungarian silents.
Plot has Captain Beregi aiding the escape of Pasha Gyula Szöreghy and his daughter Margit Makay across the Donau pursued by a canon firing Turkish Galley and villainous police spy Gábor Rajnay. The Pasha perishes when the boat sinks but Beregi manages to save his jewel box and deliver the girl to the family of Horvath & Mari K. Demjén. With the jewel box as incentive, they take her in but place her as a servant in the home, to the concern of their daughter Berky.
Beregi has intuited that the Pasha's real treasure is hidden in the star and sickle wheat sacks on the half sunken boat and, getting the rights to those, uses this wealth to become an influential officer.
He obtains the hand of Makay, though she is sought by Captain Gusztáv Vándory. However Beregi's affections are captured by island squatter family girl von Lenkeffy, who he protects from blackmailing now one eyed Rajnay, who will fall foul of the law and be condemned to the galleys.
All is not well in the Beregi home where he has taken in Berky and her mother who conspire to denounce him to Makay. However she remains loyal, despite the damning testimony of vengeful Ranjav.
All ends conveniently happily.
Though elaborately decorated, the film lacks the complex staging of the Cutiz films - one shot taken through an open door. It will appeal only to the curious.
The copy, which is claimed to be incomplete, is nicely restored with music and tinting and running at what appears to be the intended speed.
