Henry B. Walthall was, by 1915, one of the most celebrated actors on the motion picture screen; when "The Raven" was released, his stock was very high; and, watching his performance as Edgar Allen Poe illustrates why. Working with Director Charles Brabin, Mr. Walthall literally becomes Poe. In the actor's introduction, a portrait of Poe is replaced a with a close-up of Walthall's characterization. From then on, you believe the actor is Edgar Allen Poe; judging from Poe's well-known images, there is a convenient resemblance, as well. I may always think of Poe as Walthall.
Warda Howard co-stars as the women in Poe's life: Virginia Clemm, Helen Whitman, and their fantasized poetic counterpart(s). Filmmakers decided Ms. Howard would play each of Poe's female interests; and, it was a wise artistic decision. Howard handles the difficult assignment well; I especially enjoyed her marvelous expressions as Walthall and his rotund chum Harry Dunkinson (as Tony) vie for her affection.
On with the motley -- this is a biography of Poe. Considering the usual sanitization of the genre, and the era released; it's exceptionally well done. Poe is characterized as a romantic writer, with a fondness for drink -- who would have guessed? The story events seem digested, but accurate. The Poem is referenced, and the ending foreshadowed, with several images during the movie; a favorite, the caged bird, in background, by a window. Brabin's use of several delirious superimposed visions are disturbingly well done, and effectively compliment the story. The highlight is the ending, when Mr. Walthall acts out Poe's expiration, while a reading of "The Raven" takes place on the title cards. Don't miss the bird!
Walthall had just been seen in the Poe-inspired "The Avenging Conscience" (1914), the nightmarish "Ghosts" (1915), and the epic "Birth of a Nation". His Poe credentials stretched way back to Griffith's "The Sealed Room" (1909). If Best Actor awards were given in 1915, Walthall would certainly have one. He is terrific - and, "The Raven" is a biography like no other.
********* The Raven (11/8/15) Charles Brabin ~ Henry B. Walthall, Warda Howard, Harry Dunkinson, Ernest Maupain
Warda Howard co-stars as the women in Poe's life: Virginia Clemm, Helen Whitman, and their fantasized poetic counterpart(s). Filmmakers decided Ms. Howard would play each of Poe's female interests; and, it was a wise artistic decision. Howard handles the difficult assignment well; I especially enjoyed her marvelous expressions as Walthall and his rotund chum Harry Dunkinson (as Tony) vie for her affection.
On with the motley -- this is a biography of Poe. Considering the usual sanitization of the genre, and the era released; it's exceptionally well done. Poe is characterized as a romantic writer, with a fondness for drink -- who would have guessed? The story events seem digested, but accurate. The Poem is referenced, and the ending foreshadowed, with several images during the movie; a favorite, the caged bird, in background, by a window. Brabin's use of several delirious superimposed visions are disturbingly well done, and effectively compliment the story. The highlight is the ending, when Mr. Walthall acts out Poe's expiration, while a reading of "The Raven" takes place on the title cards. Don't miss the bird!
Walthall had just been seen in the Poe-inspired "The Avenging Conscience" (1914), the nightmarish "Ghosts" (1915), and the epic "Birth of a Nation". His Poe credentials stretched way back to Griffith's "The Sealed Room" (1909). If Best Actor awards were given in 1915, Walthall would certainly have one. He is terrific - and, "The Raven" is a biography like no other.
********* The Raven (11/8/15) Charles Brabin ~ Henry B. Walthall, Warda Howard, Harry Dunkinson, Ernest Maupain