The great William Wyler wasn't known for his silent movies as much as he was for films of the mid 30's on up (starting with "The Good Fairy" and continuing with "Dodsworth" and a series of classic Bette Davis movies as well as a few Oscar Winning best pictures), but this one comes as a delightful surprise.
James Kent and Barbara Murray are delightful as a prize fighter and his waitress girlfriend whom he meets while working in an oil field, and the obstacles they encounter when Kent befriends a young orphan. The restoration of this movie is fantastic with a piano score that is outstanding and really expresses every emotion of the film, both serious and comic, adding to the already present visuals that are mesmerizing.
At just 65 minutes, this flies by, because there are no gaps in action, and the mood is consistently upbeat even in the serious scenes. Jack Hanlon is terrific as the kid, having a similar look to the younger Mickey Rooney although not nearly as cloying. Had there been supporting actor Oscars at the time, he would have been my first choice for 1929. In fact, this film is even better than many talkies that I've seen from that year, and Wyler's direction is brilliant. A true masterpiece of filmmaking that gives evidence as to why some movie fans felt that the silent era should never have completely ended.
James Kent and Barbara Murray are delightful as a prize fighter and his waitress girlfriend whom he meets while working in an oil field, and the obstacles they encounter when Kent befriends a young orphan. The restoration of this movie is fantastic with a piano score that is outstanding and really expresses every emotion of the film, both serious and comic, adding to the already present visuals that are mesmerizing.
At just 65 minutes, this flies by, because there are no gaps in action, and the mood is consistently upbeat even in the serious scenes. Jack Hanlon is terrific as the kid, having a similar look to the younger Mickey Rooney although not nearly as cloying. Had there been supporting actor Oscars at the time, he would have been my first choice for 1929. In fact, this film is even better than many talkies that I've seen from that year, and Wyler's direction is brilliant. A true masterpiece of filmmaking that gives evidence as to why some movie fans felt that the silent era should never have completely ended.