A KISS FOR CINDERELLA (1925)
Posted: October 10th, 2008, 3:18 am
Last night, thanks to Angie, I finally got to see another one of my long time Most wanted Silents. Herbert Brennon's A KISS FOR CINDERELLA (Paramount, 1925), with Betty Bronson, Tom Moore, and Esther Ralston. Renowned film historian, William K. Everson has described this picture as one of the great films of the Silent Era.
I must say Miss Bronson made a sharp leap up my list of great Silent Screen Beauties. In-fact, I am tempted to bump either Camilla Horn, or Vilma Banky from my Top 10, and replace them with Betty after seeing this picture.
Ralston was already on my list, and as the Fairy-Godmother, served to re-enforce her number 8 ranking. This may have been the first time I have seen Tom Moore? He looked allot like Lon Chaney's younger brother, and even acted like him.
The print was much better than I expected. I will need to add a score sometime, as this DVD-R contained no music. I had heard that this film was in dismal shape, but I was pleasantly surprised in that only about a half a reel had any serious nitrate damage. The print overall was quite good. What a lovely enchanting film. It would be wonderful to see this movie restored, and put out on DVD like PETER PAN (1924) has previously been.
The story takes place not in Medieval Europe, but rather in England during the First World War. When we first see Bronson, she is quite frumpy, but my goodness does that change. Betty was a tiny, tiny thing, but a staggeringly beautiful woman. I had really only seen her in PETER PAN, and not much else. Relatively hard to believe that it is even the same person.
In PETER PAN I thought Mary Brian had been the most beautiful, even over Esther Ralston, and Anna May Wong. Of course it was pretty hard to get a read on Betty Bronson. The photo's I have found of her looked quite remarkable though.
Tom Moore is Dan a hired Police-officer/Detective determined to discover if the abandoned Cinderella is actually a lady of culture and breeding, or just another drudge? Indeed perhaps worse? A German Spy! For She speaks the sworn Enemies language fluently!
When she swipes a sign from her former employer, He is also hell bent to catch her with the goods. In a hilarious scene, the clean shaven Moore enters into the shelter disguised as the spitting image of Rasputin The Mad Monk! He asks for a shave! Cinderella is more than moderately intimidated! Before long though, Dan is totally Smitten with his suspect, and quickly forgets his duty, as amazing. and unexpected facts swiftly come to light.
Winsome Cinderella goes from Scullery-maid to a fix whatever ails you Penny store matron. She takes in stray Orphan's like most folks do washing, Each with a unique hair-cut, one looks like a baby Colleen Moore! She has to big a heart for her own good, or pocketbook.
The Poor girl is all about Sacrifice, but she holds on to a fervent hope that her day will indeed come. Or at least Her night anyway. She will finally snare her Prince at the royal ball. One glance at her dainty little feet, is all it will take to win his unsuspecting heart!
The Prince's Ball is an amazing, delightful sequence, and lo suitor's', that don't know the answer to the sacred riddle are executed immediately! The King also places a premium on body temperature, specifically to high. This had me rolling! But the film is not strictly a comedy, and there are some good dramatic touches. Brenon's is still another big name director of the Silent era that is virtually unknown today. Though He made some very fine and acclaimed films.
I must say Miss Bronson made a sharp leap up my list of great Silent Screen Beauties. In-fact, I am tempted to bump either Camilla Horn, or Vilma Banky from my Top 10, and replace them with Betty after seeing this picture.
Ralston was already on my list, and as the Fairy-Godmother, served to re-enforce her number 8 ranking. This may have been the first time I have seen Tom Moore? He looked allot like Lon Chaney's younger brother, and even acted like him.
The print was much better than I expected. I will need to add a score sometime, as this DVD-R contained no music. I had heard that this film was in dismal shape, but I was pleasantly surprised in that only about a half a reel had any serious nitrate damage. The print overall was quite good. What a lovely enchanting film. It would be wonderful to see this movie restored, and put out on DVD like PETER PAN (1924) has previously been.
The story takes place not in Medieval Europe, but rather in England during the First World War. When we first see Bronson, she is quite frumpy, but my goodness does that change. Betty was a tiny, tiny thing, but a staggeringly beautiful woman. I had really only seen her in PETER PAN, and not much else. Relatively hard to believe that it is even the same person.
In PETER PAN I thought Mary Brian had been the most beautiful, even over Esther Ralston, and Anna May Wong. Of course it was pretty hard to get a read on Betty Bronson. The photo's I have found of her looked quite remarkable though.
Tom Moore is Dan a hired Police-officer/Detective determined to discover if the abandoned Cinderella is actually a lady of culture and breeding, or just another drudge? Indeed perhaps worse? A German Spy! For She speaks the sworn Enemies language fluently!
When she swipes a sign from her former employer, He is also hell bent to catch her with the goods. In a hilarious scene, the clean shaven Moore enters into the shelter disguised as the spitting image of Rasputin The Mad Monk! He asks for a shave! Cinderella is more than moderately intimidated! Before long though, Dan is totally Smitten with his suspect, and quickly forgets his duty, as amazing. and unexpected facts swiftly come to light.
Winsome Cinderella goes from Scullery-maid to a fix whatever ails you Penny store matron. She takes in stray Orphan's like most folks do washing, Each with a unique hair-cut, one looks like a baby Colleen Moore! She has to big a heart for her own good, or pocketbook.
The Poor girl is all about Sacrifice, but she holds on to a fervent hope that her day will indeed come. Or at least Her night anyway. She will finally snare her Prince at the royal ball. One glance at her dainty little feet, is all it will take to win his unsuspecting heart!
The Prince's Ball is an amazing, delightful sequence, and lo suitor's', that don't know the answer to the sacred riddle are executed immediately! The King also places a premium on body temperature, specifically to high. This had me rolling! But the film is not strictly a comedy, and there are some good dramatic touches. Brenon's is still another big name director of the Silent era that is virtually unknown today. Though He made some very fine and acclaimed films.