Reviews (1)

VINTAGE HISTORICAL ROMANCE.
This almost-forgotten flick from 1932 is a lavishly adorned costume epic which is set during the Russian Revolution. Aristocratic Fairbanks plays Nikiti who flees his Russian home with his maid Tanyusha (the elusive-on-video Nancy Carroll). The lovers end up in Constantinople where they marry and settle into a life of common labour. Eventually, Fairbank's cultured personality makes him discontented with his new life & he succumbs to having an affair with a vampy woman named Vera (Lilyan Tashman)...The plot drags in bits, and the movie is somewhat uneven, however the magnificent sets are impressive: from the great aristocratic homes to the lowly Turkish dives. Notable mostly for a rare glimpse of the once-popular and talented Nancy Carroll, an actress of Irish descent who was in many fine films during the early talkies. More of her finer films hopefully will find their way to video in the near future! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Norma Shearer in her ultimate glamour role
"Rip Tide", is not a film which is well known nowadays and like much of Norma Shearer's film work has been either forgotten or relegated to the late show. Despite getting a so so nod of approval from the critics at the time it was a very successful "comeback' vechicle for Norma after two years away from the screen caring for her ailing husband the MGM boy genius Irving Thalberg who was recovering from his first heart attack. Indeed if any film apart from the classic "Marie Antoniette", and "The Women" really showcases what the Shearer chic and sophistication were all about in the glamourous 1930's the glossy "Rip Tide" was it.

"Rip Tide" relates the story of life in high society for Park Avenue socialite Mary who finds herself at the pinnacle of social status by a chance meeting with an English Lord. On a whim after accidently meeting Lord Phillip Rexford (played in usual dull style by perrenial leading man Herbert Marshall) at a bizzare insect themed party Mary marries him and settles into a comfortable, socially prominent and quite stifling existence only to find herself torn between her martial obligations as Lady of the manor and the more exciting embraces of playboy and former flame Tommie Trent (played in carefree style by Robert Montgomery). What results is scandal, double standards, deception and martial compromise before the necessary sensible resolution which finds Mary realise that home and hearth are a far better and more sensible solution than the unsure existence as the partner of a renowned party boy.

Out of such vintage soap opera has been fashioned a really superb marital drama about an era and style of life long gone. "Rip Tide", was Irving Thalberg's first big venture as an independant producer in the MGM family and he did not disappoint with a lavish vechicle in every department for his wife's official MGM comeback. Everything that the audience has come to expect of a first class MGM star vechicle of the 1930's is present here. The film boasts a wonderful supporting cast headed (Mrs.) Patrick Campbell in the role of Aunt Hetty, Mary's unofficial counsellor in all things marital. A very rare excursion into film for Campbell it is unique in capturing her superb acting talents on screen. "Rip Tide" literally glows with technical talent as well. Adrian created what were probably some of the most famous contemporary costumes here and his outfits for Norma Shearer really defined totally her glamour image as the fashion queen of MGM. The stylish Cedric Gibbons interiors for both the New York settings and those in Monte Carlo are also a sight to behold. The performances in "Rip Tide",despite its soap opera origins are also exceptional. Norma Shearer has often been the target for criticism for her acting but in truth she was never better than here in her role as Lady Mary Rexford the flighty, fun loving wife of a much different man from a totally different strata of society . She is both fun to watch and beautiful to look at and still manages to portray the stylish lady-like character which became her trade mark. Robert Montgomery in his last of a number of successful teamings with Norma registers well as the carefree and irresponsible playboy in a role similiar to that he had done in countless other MGM productions. Herbert Marshall while a dull character in the story, also gives a great performance as the husband coming from a different world to his young wife and who has great diffuclty in adapting himself to the one he truly loves.

While "Rip Tide" could be regarded as the typical MGM production it has alot more to offer than that. For those that love to see the great stars perform in roles tailored especially to their studio created personas this film is unsurpassed. Not a great deal of Norma Shearer's work is available for viewing in this day and here you have the opportunity to see her at her peak both in beauty and box office standing. Definately one for the white tie and tails, champagne set "Rip Tide" is the ideal way to lose yourself for a couple of hours in the lives of the rich and beautiful where real life worries have no place. Enjoy Norma Shearer's glamourous presence in MGM's classic "Rip Tide".

Shearer's last Pre-Code film
In this glossy MGM picture, "First Lady of the Screen", Norma Shearer, plays Mary, a reformed ex-liberated girl who marries into British Aristocracy, through the person of stuffy Lord Rexford, properly impersonated by reliable Herbert Marshall, who excelled in these type of roles, of dignified, formal and very moral husbands: I can remember "Blonde Venus" and "Angel", both opposite Marlene Dietrich, and "The Little Foxes" and "The Letter", both with Bette Davis, though one must never forget he once played brilliantly, a debonair crook and man of the world, in Lubitsch's masterpiece "Trouble in Paradise" (1932).

The film is entertaining indeed, has a fine pace, although at the same time is somewhat episodic, showcasing Norma Shearer at the epitome of her movie stardom, in her last screen appearance with frequent co-star Robert Montgomery, who's very good as the extremely bon-vivant playboy Tommie Trent. Wonderful support by Mrs. Patrick Campbell as Lady Riversleigh, Marshall's naughty and mischievous aunt and by Lilyan Tashman as Shearer's sister, who, sadly, appears too little on the screen.

The movie's plot certainly wouldn't have passed the censorship some moths later, when the Production Code was fully enforced, because Shearer would have necessarily been punished for all the playing around with playboy Montgomery, while husband Marshall is away on a business travel, so it's pretty adult stuff by later Hollywood standards of the 1940s and 1950s.

You'll be surprised by the opening sequence, which shows Shearer and Marshall dressed in very exotic and sophisticated giant insects costumes, for a lavish party.

ELUSIVE GEM.
Norma Shearer is a carefree American who's married to stuffy English Lord Marshall; when Marshall goes to America on business, old flame Robert Montgomery follows Shearer home and there are scandalous consequences.....The highlight of this rather elusive (not easily found) film is the opening sequence which has the the stars dressed as insects at a posh costume party! One of the very few films in which the legendary (and notoriously difficult) Mrs. Patrick Campbell appeared, this is a bizarrely entertaining, quality production with an inspired cast.

NORMA SHEARER AT HER COOL, CHIC APEX!
I had been trying to find "Riptide" for my video collection for some time. I really have to thank Amazon.com for providing me the opportunity to buy this out-of-print gem (and their great customer service department). Norma Shearer was a great actress on her own (despite the fact that she was wife of MGM's head of production, Irving Thalberg, a.k.a. Louis B. Mayer's "wonder boy"). In "Riptide," Shearer plays Mary, a free spirit Park Avenue socialite who, through her overly-developed sense of responsibility to an old flame, becomes inadvertantly embroiled in a tabloid-type scandal. While her proper English husband (Herbert Marshall) must travel to the U.S.A. on a working "no-wives-allowed" junket, Mary travels the Meditteranean with friends and is persuaded to help sober up her old flame (Robert Montgomery). Through the classic comedy-of-errors formula, he winds up drunkenly falling off her balcony into the hotel cafe below. The architypal drawing-room love triangle plot ensues. Especially funny are the opening scene, when the main characters are preparing to go to a costume party dressed as giant insects, and the scene where Mary and her "Aunt Hattie" get totally roaring "tipsy" in the study. Break out the champagne and orchids, this one's a keeper! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

PRE-CODE TWELVETREES.
Never having seen Twelvetrees really act before - THE PAINTED DESERT is the only other film in which I've seen her in - I was quite impressed by her believable emoting in this film which is essentially a pre-code soap opera. Soon after her father dies, young Millie Blake leaves college to elope with a businessman named Jack Maitland. They go to live in NYC where they eventually have a daughter: but soon Millie suspects her husband isn't on the up and up....An interesting curio - with a more lucrative plot than one would suppose, it is a good showcase for the actress - who could actually act. The supporting cast is interesting: Joan Blondell, Frank McHugh, Lilyan Tashman, Anita Louise and John Halliday.

Helen Twelvetrees is lovely
The lovely talented Miss Twelvetrees displays her talent in this pre-code soaper covering 16 years. Millie (Miss Twelvetrees) marries a New Yorker and moves to the big city. 3 years later Millie finds her husband lunching (and kissing) with another woman. She divorces but leaves her child with the father. She has no money but he has the big house and income.

She goes to work at a stationary counter and gradually works her way up, gaining the notice of a big shot business man and a down to earth reporter. When the Millie finds the reporter spending time at another woman's apartment, she loses hope and takes to drinking and loose morals (prostitution). Years later, Millie hears how the big business man is after her now 16-year old daughter (the one left behind during her divorce). Millie rushes to the scene and shoots him. For the dramatic conclusion........buy the video.

Helen Twelvetrees goes through a very believable transformation from young school girl to burn-out middle age drunk. The final scenes are very good and dramatic. I recommend this film to pre-code fans, Helen Twelvetree fans and anyone who enjoys old soap dramas. Helen is worth watching. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Big Succes At The Box Office
BULLDOG DRUMMOND was an important movie in 1929. It marked the sound film debut of Ronald Colman and it was one of two movies in that year for which Colman was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

BULLDOG DRUMMOND was also a big commercial success at the box office. The cast included Joan Bennett as Phyllis Benton and Claud Allister as Bulldog's buddy Algy Longworth. The screenplay was based on both the novel by Sapper and the play by Gerald du Maurier.

Ronald Colman Plays James Bond!
Audible indignation in London's senior conservative club: a servant dropped a spoon! Time for demobilized officer Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond (Ronald Colman) to realize how tedious his life has become. Since he is "To rich to work, to intelligent to play" he puts an ad in the "Times" seeking excitement, "legitimate if possible, but crime of humorous description no objection". When Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett) replies he packs up only the bare essentials: Toothbrush, gun & pajamas. On second thought: Since the lady is in "hideous danger" he can do without his pajamas...Travis, her uncle, is in the hands of an evil gang who is after his money: Dr. Lakington (Lawrence Grant) who hides a well-equipped torture chamber in his nursing-home, jovial Dr. Peterson (Montagu Love) and Irma (Lilyan Tashman) his femme-fatale-gangster's moll. Bulldog Drummond plays it cool: "Somebody stepped on the cat's tail?" he inquires after poor Travers shouts for help. But when the evil doctor starts to torture his victim he fires on a bulb and frees Travers. Soon the gang strikes back...

Bulldog Drummond was not the first talking film, but it was the first GOOD one. 1929 was a crucial year in Hollywood's history. Actors, directors & producers had only recently witnessed the humiliation of the greatest male star, John Gilbert. It was not his voice, but lines like "Oh beauteous maiden, my arms are waiting to enfold you" and "I love you, I love you, I love you" that caused his downfall. Producer Sam Goldwyn took the lesson to his heart: HIS most precious star, Ronald Colman would not share Gilbert's fate. This is why he chose this smart and speedy crime-adventure for Colman's talking debut. How right he was! Colman was oscar-nominated, chosen top-male star in 1927, 1928 and 1932 and named "The handsomest male on screen" in 1935. On opening night the fans rushed at him - from then on he was afraid of attending opening-nights.

Some of the stunts are so original that they could hold their own even in today's Bond films: During a nightly car-chase Drummond stops under a tree, jumps on a branch, hereby hiding the car. Gimmicks involve a pedal-played piano and a remote-controlled door - do you have a remote-controlled door in your home? The dialogue is strictly tongue-in-cheek. "Twin beds, Sir, so that you can use your own judgment, Sir" says a flirtatious maid to Drummond (and there is a peephole in the door, too). There are some delightful screen villains: Lawrence Grant is a fiendish mad scientist who rubs his hands with glee before mixing a poison for Colman & Bennett. Colman strangles him with his bare hands and when Bennett panicks he remarks casually:"But I'm being as gentle as I can!" When the other gang-members call the professor he even suggests: "You have to call louder than that!". Lilyan Tashman nearly steals the film with her humorous Garbo-voiced villainess: "You frighten me" she tells Algy (Claude Allister), Colman's sidekick, as if she were talking to a baby. She scares Joan Bennett out of her wits simply by blowing cigarette-smoke in her direction and making "BOO!" - with her eyes. Some critics developped writer's cramps when describing Joan Bennett's acting. Sure, she is a healthy-looking 18 years old playing the "mysterious woman", but, first, what a Bondgirl needs - she has, second, Katharine Hepburn could not have made much with a part that requires lying unconscious on a table while the other players converse over her body, and, third, she looks so pleased with herself when Colman whispers sweet words in her ear that one cannot be angry for long. Bulldog Drummond - 74 Years old - and still entertaining!

CAMPY AND FUN....
This 1929 talkie was the movie that saw silent film star Ronald Colman transition to talking pictures. This was his first such film and a good thing for the public that he made the transition or we would never have known that unique velvet voice of his.

This film is a plot boiler type of film. Ronald Colman, as Bulldog Drummond is a World War I vet now left to his own devices and wanting a bit of excitement. He places an ad in the paper stating, in substance, that he is looking for adventure and is contacted by a very young and beautiful damsel in distress, Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett). It appears that her wealthy uncle is being kept captive by an insane doctor and a husband and wife crime duo, who wish to divest the uncle of his fortune.

Drummond, raring to go for a bit of action, comes to Ms. Benton's aid, ready, able, and willing to save the day. While the plot is ludicrous and the antics in the film Mickey Mouse, it is still a treat to watch Colman in his first talkie. He looks like he is just plain having fun, and his mood is infectious. The film, however, though a talkie, is really plotted and acted as if it were a silent film with sound. It is as if no one were really quite comfortable with this new film development.

All in all, it is a film that Ronald Colman fans will enjoy, as will those who love vintage films.

Ronald Colman is the first "talking" Bulldog Drummond
Producer Samuel Goldwyn wanted to make sure Ronald Colman's first talking picture was a success, which explains why he hired Sidney Howard and Wallace Smith to write the screenplay for this 1929 film directed by F. Richard Jones. Colman plays Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, a British veteran of the Great War who is bored and looking for some excitement now that he is back in civilian life. So when young Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett) needs his help in freeing her uncle from a nursing home from the evil Erma Peterson (Lilyan Tashman) and Carl Peterson (Montagu Love--yes the names of the actors sound more evil than their characters), our hero jumps at the chance for action. It seems the villains are trying to use nefarious means to get the uncle's fortune. The result is a fairly comic game of cat and mouse between Bulldog and the girl against the not too bright villains. Our hero and the lady are forced to make a couple of exciting last second escapes, always employing a nice deftness that gives the proceedings a touch of class. However, it is impossible not to recognize that this is a very early talking film every time all of the actors huddle around some object that is hiding the microphone. Colman received an Oscar nomination for his performance, as did William Cameron Menzies for the Art Direction. A lot of actors played Bulldog Drummond over the years, including Ralph Richardson and Ray Milland, but none of them had the elegance and panache of Colman. In 1934 Colman made "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back."

What To Do When You're Bored
Bored war vet "Bulldog" Drummond places an ad in the newspaper looking for something to do, and the answer arrives in the form of a pretty blonde whose uncle is being held captive by a mad scientist and his partners in an asylum. To say that the plot is farfetched would be an understatement. There are so many holes you stop counting and just "go with it". Ronald Colman as Drummond gives a fun, charming performance, and is one of the main reasons to see this early talkie. Another reason is his sidekick, Algy, played well by Claud Allister. He provides much of the film's humour. Joan Bennett is awkward as the heroine, and would develop into a much better actress as she became older. Bulldog Drummond is a breezy action film, and if you overlook the ridiculous plot and instead focus on the humour and Colman's performance, you will enjoy the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Big Succes At The Box Office
BULLDOG DRUMMOND was an important movie in 1929. It marked the sound film debut of Ronald Colman and it was one of two movies in that year for which Colman was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

BULLDOG DRUMMOND was also a big commercial success at the box office. The cast included Joan Bennett as Phyllis Benton and Claud Allister as Bulldog's buddy Algy Longworth. The screenplay was based on both the novel by Sapper and the play by Gerald du Maurier.

Ronald Colman Plays James Bond!
Audible indignation in London's senior conservative club: a servant dropped a spoon! Time for demobilized officer Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond (Ronald Colman) to realize how tedious his life has become. Since he is "To rich to work, to intelligent to play" he puts an ad in the "Times" seeking excitement, "legitimate if possible, but crime of humorous description no objection". When Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett) replies he packs up only the bare essentials: Toothbrush, gun & pajamas. On second thought: Since the lady is in "hideous danger" he can do without his pajamas...Travis, her uncle, is in the hands of an evil gang who is after his money: Dr. Lakington (Lawrence Grant) who hides a well-equipped torture chamber in his nursing-home, jovial Dr. Peterson (Montagu Love) and Irma (Lilyan Tashman) his femme-fatale-gangster's moll. Bulldog Drummond plays it cool: "Somebody stepped on the cat's tail?" he inquires after poor Travers shouts for help. But when the evil doctor starts to torture his victim he fires on a bulb and frees Travers. Soon the gang strikes back...

Bulldog Drummond was not the first talking film, but it was the first GOOD one. 1929 was a crucial year in Hollywood's history. Actors, directors & producers had only recently witnessed the humiliation of the greatest male star, John Gilbert. It was not his voice, but lines like "Oh beauteous maiden, my arms are waiting to enfold you" and "I love you, I love you, I love you" that caused his downfall. Producer Sam Goldwyn took the lesson to his heart: HIS most precious star, Ronald Colman would not share Gilbert's fate. This is why he chose this smart and speedy crime-adventure for Colman's talking debut. How right he was! Colman was oscar-nominated, chosen top-male star in 1927, 1928 and 1932 and named "The handsomest male on screen" in 1935. On opening night the fans rushed at him - from then on he was afraid of attending opening-nights.

Some of the stunts are so original that they could hold their own even in today's Bond films: During a nightly car-chase Drummond stops under a tree, jumps on a branch, hereby hiding the car. Gimmicks involve a pedal-played piano and a remote-controlled door - do you have a remote-controlled door in your home? The dialogue is strictly tongue-in-cheek. "Twin beds, Sir, so that you can use your own judgment, Sir" says a flirtatious maid to Drummond (and there is a peephole in the door, too). There are some delightful screen villains: Lawrence Grant is a fiendish mad scientist who rubs his hands with glee before mixing a poison for Colman & Bennett. Colman strangles him with his bare hands and when Bennett panicks he remarks casually:"But I'm being as gentle as I can!" When the other gang-members call the professor he even suggests: "You have to call louder than that!". Lilyan Tashman nearly steals the film with her humorous Garbo-voiced villainess: "You frighten me" she tells Algy (Claude Allister), Colman's sidekick, as if she were talking to a baby. She scares Joan Bennett out of her wits simply by blowing cigarette-smoke in her direction and making "BOO!" - with her eyes. Some critics developped writer's cramps when describing Joan Bennett's acting. Sure, she is a healthy-looking 18 years old playing the "mysterious woman", but, first, what a Bondgirl needs - she has, second, Katharine Hepburn could not have made much with a part that requires lying unconscious on a table while the other players converse over her body, and, third, she looks so pleased with herself when Colman whispers sweet words in her ear that one cannot be angry for long. Bulldog Drummond - 74 Years old - and still entertaining!

CAMPY AND FUN....
This 1929 talkie was the movie that saw silent film star Ronald Colman transition to talking pictures. This was his first such film and a good thing for the public that he made the transition or we would never have known that unique velvet voice of his.

This film is a plot boiler type of film. Ronald Colman, as Bulldog Drummond is a World War I vet now left to his own devices and wanting a bit of excitement. He places an ad in the paper stating, in substance, that he is looking for adventure and is contacted by a very young and beautiful damsel in distress, Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett). It appears that her wealthy uncle is being kept captive by an insane doctor and a husband and wife crime duo, who wish to divest the uncle of his fortune.

Drummond, raring to go for a bit of action, comes to Ms. Benton's aid, ready, able, and willing to save the day. While the plot is ludicrous and the antics in the film Mickey Mouse, it is still a treat to watch Colman in his first talkie. He looks like he is just plain having fun, and his mood is infectious. The film, however, though a talkie, is really plotted and acted as if it were a silent film with sound. It is as if no one were really quite comfortable with this new film development.

All in all, it is a film that Ronald Colman fans will enjoy, as will those who love vintage films.

Ronald Colman is the first "talking" Bulldog Drummond
Producer Samuel Goldwyn wanted to make sure Ronald Colman's first talking picture was a success, which explains why he hired Sidney Howard and Wallace Smith to write the screenplay for this 1929 film directed by F. Richard Jones. Colman plays Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, a British veteran of the Great War who is bored and looking for some excitement now that he is back in civilian life. So when young Phyllis Benton (Joan Bennett) needs his help in freeing her uncle from a nursing home from the evil Erma Peterson (Lilyan Tashman) and Carl Peterson (Montagu Love--yes the names of the actors sound more evil than their characters), our hero jumps at the chance for action. It seems the villains are trying to use nefarious means to get the uncle's fortune. The result is a fairly comic game of cat and mouse between Bulldog and the girl against the not too bright villains. Our hero and the lady are forced to make a couple of exciting last second escapes, always employing a nice deftness that gives the proceedings a touch of class. However, it is impossible not to recognize that this is a very early talking film every time all of the actors huddle around some object that is hiding the microphone. Colman received an Oscar nomination for his performance, as did William Cameron Menzies for the Art Direction. A lot of actors played Bulldog Drummond over the years, including Ralph Richardson and Ray Milland, but none of them had the elegance and panache of Colman. In 1934 Colman made "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back."

What To Do When You're Bored
Bored war vet "Bulldog" Drummond places an ad in the newspaper looking for something to do, and the answer arrives in the form of a pretty blonde whose uncle is being held captive by a mad scientist and his partners in an asylum. To say that the plot is farfetched would be an understatement. There are so many holes you stop counting and just "go with it". Ronald Colman as Drummond gives a fun, charming performance, and is one of the main reasons to see this early talkie. Another reason is his sidekick, Algy, played well by Claud Allister. He provides much of the film's humour. Joan Bennett is awkward as the heroine, and would develop into a much better actress as she became older. Bulldog Drummond is a breezy action film, and if you overlook the ridiculous plot and instead focus on the humour and Colman's performance, you will enjoy the movie. ... Read more