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Sue's ready to celebrate!

As of today, Flappers & Flickers has FIFTY followers!

Thanks to everyone for continuing to read my drivel astute and interesting reviews!

When a Man Loves (1927)

This picture was actually like two movies stuck together. The first half, concerning one of the oldest love triangles: man, woman, and Church. John Barrymore plays Fabian, a young man studying to be a priest, who falls for the beautiful Manon (Dolores Costello) and begins to question his commitment to religion. Meanwhile, Manon’s evil brother (Warner Oland) gambles her away to a rich and terrible man (Sam de Grasse)…Fabian cannot stand to watch her resigned to such a fate, and runs away with her.

Foppish Jack Barrymore.

Then everything gets dopey for a little while. Also, Louis XV gets involved.

Le King did not play himself.

Second half of the picture doesn’t really start until the big showdown between Fabian and the King. I’m not going to give that part away – but trust me, this is where the movie suddenly becomes an exciting swashbuckler a la Don Juan. If you can get through the first half, with all the typical melodramatic lovemaking and Dolores Costello exploring the range of her acting abilities (mostly squinting and resembling a fainting goat), it’ll be worth it. Best part is in the hold with the criminals. Only Jack could play a character half out of his mind and still give him sex appeal.   Also, keep an eye out for a young and unknown Myrna Loy as a woman of ill repute - blink and you'll miss her.

A still of Miss Costello from the film.

An interesting bit at the end: the Vitaphone Orchestra taking a bow. I loved that and can’t wait to see if any other pictures include it!


Silent Film Slur of the Day: “degenerate breed of mangy dungeon rats”


I give this one:

Stung

skin as white as milk

lips to drive men mad

rightly you were called

the gardenia of the screen

but secretly, as you waltzed,

verdant tendrils snugly wrapped

around your mind

until all you could see were
blossoms
scattered in the path of
the princess mdivani


make way, make way

Mae Murray

ZaSu and...Eugene?

Oh, dear...

I apologize for the lack of poetry this week.  My Uncle Gene, who will turn 86 next week, has been in the hospital...but now he's in a local rehab center and we're hoping to get him strong and healthy enough to come home soon!

Whenever I talk about the 20s and 30s, one name always comes up: ZaSu Pitts.  I honestly have no idea why he always mentions her!  One of these days I'll have to get him to educate me. 

Please keep Uncle Gene in your thoughts and prayers.  I'd appreciate it.  ^_^

Pomares

Perched in the periphery
with that little urchin's face,
those yearning eyes could never rise
to shine in the top billing place...

but leading lady?  Oh, what charms!
Who didn't love Anita?
For decades long, her fame stayed strong -
¡la rubia bonita!

Anita Page

The 2010 LAMMY Awards!

I'd be so grateful if those readers involved with LAMB would put in a vote for Silent Stanzas!

Vote here!

The LAMMY Awards!

Those of you who are involved with LAMB - put in a vote for your favorite movie blog!  (That's Flappers & Flickers, by the way.  *wink*)

Vote here!