The Younger Generation (1929)

I may have to take back what I said about Lina Basquette. While still not what I’d consider a terrific actress, she deserves more credit than I’ve given her – especially after watching her tackle another emotionally taxing role and do it so well.

This picture is a moving examination of how the children of immigrants often rejected their cultures in order to assimilate and get ahead. Ricardo Cortez is good as the son trying to erase his Jewish heritage, but the film belongs to Jean Hersholt. He exhibits such quiet dignity, such familial pride and genuine love that, when shattered, his disbelief and pain stuns you. Basquette is very effective as Birdie, the daughter deeply in love and caught in the middle. Her suffering is very real and you ache for her.

“Generation” was made on the cusp of sound, and as often happened, contains some talkie scenes. Compared to the rest of the film they seem stilted, but that was par for the course at that time and does not hurt the picture as a whole. I defy you to watch Hersholt quietly singing to his as-yet-unknown grandchild with dry eyes.

I give this one:

Ben-Hur (1925)

From the beginning, DeMille proved he was a master of the epic film. A visual feast containing everything state-of-the-art for 1925: tinting, beautifully rendered title cards, enormous sets, even two-strip Technicolor. Ramon Novarro is the perfect choice to play Judah – his natural sweetness and purity shine through. But my favorite is the scene-stealing, glorious side of beef that is Francis X Bushman’s Messala. It’s a bit overlong, but this is DeMille we’re talking about, so all is forgiven. Recommended.

I give this one:

What? New Reviews?!

That's right! Next week I'll be welcoming in 2010 with reviews of the original silent Ben-Hur (1925), the part-talkie The Younger Generation (1929), and the pre-Code fluff Golddiggers of 1935. Until then enjoy your holidays and have a safe, happy New Year!



Jean Harlow ushers in a change of the calendar.

Happy Holidays!

Clara waits up for Santa.  Lucky Santa!

A very happy holidays to my readers - Silent Stanzas will be back in January!  So enjoy this special time (and perhaps catch a silent film or two *wink*).

With fond wishes,

Jennifer Redmond

Yes, Virginia

Four foot eleven, a sparkler, an imp,
Leaving critics enchanted whilst on the bill,
Until the pictures stole you away-
Girls like you weren't made to sit still.
Randy and pert with a dangerous smile,
Any sadness that touched you quickly dispersed,
That beautiful face hid a spirit of iron,
Hardy, unbreakable, never coerced.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viola Dana 

Also, thank you to Lolita of Lolita's Classics for giving me the Over the Top Blog Award! 

He Who Got Slapped

Dear Jack

I am sorry for your pain
Your whole life people hurt you
you didn't deserve that

A good man, a good actor
your only mistake was being
human

you were beautiful once

I hate that the only thing
people remember
is the malicious treble
mayer be damned

there are many of us
our candles lit to your memory
and we will never let them go out

John Gilbert

C. C. C.

The form is in homage to the style of the Chinese T'ang poems.  The title refers to a nickname she earned hanging around film sets in her youth: CCC for "curious Chinese child".


In the dark of the flickers
Sat little Liu Tsong.
Willows bend but never break.
Her name would serve her well.

Talented and beautiful
She was Hollywood's muse.
Too Chinese to play Chinese -
She was Hollywood's victim.

In an era thought modern
Hyprocrisy reigned.
Großstadtschmetterling,
Your legend has outflown them.

Anna May Wong