For 1925, this is a decent film, though certainly not outstanding in any way. Seen over eighty years later, it seems rather corny and the only reason anyone might want to see this is to see Bela Lugosi in an early pre-Dracula role.
Lugosi plays a rather amoral producer. He has a soft spot for a fading prima donna in his operas but he also ultimately knows he needs to replace her. Despite her decline, this singer is a rather nasty person--insulting Lugosi's dead wife needlessly. When this occurs, Lugosi's son is present and the kid becomes enraged that Lugosi lets her get away with this. THe son demands she apologize but Lugosi does nothing--at which point the 20-something son slugs his dad and walks out of his life.
Now that Junior has walked out, he's no longer living in luxury and needs to get a job. He becomes a band leader and later discovers a talented singer. Lugosi hears this pretty young lady sing and realizes she'd be great as his new leading lady--at which point there's another confrontation with his son. A bit later, Lugosi tries to use his casting couch on the new singer--and what follows is a pretty ridiculous ending where everything is miraculously resolved! You have to see the film to understand exactly what I mean--but it truly defies common sense and makes this movie end on a silly note.
Nothing is particularly outstanding about this film. The style is a bit dated even for 1925 but there's enough action to keep your attention. Worth watching mostly if you are a huge Lugosi fan.
Lugosi plays a rather amoral producer. He has a soft spot for a fading prima donna in his operas but he also ultimately knows he needs to replace her. Despite her decline, this singer is a rather nasty person--insulting Lugosi's dead wife needlessly. When this occurs, Lugosi's son is present and the kid becomes enraged that Lugosi lets her get away with this. THe son demands she apologize but Lugosi does nothing--at which point the 20-something son slugs his dad and walks out of his life.
Now that Junior has walked out, he's no longer living in luxury and needs to get a job. He becomes a band leader and later discovers a talented singer. Lugosi hears this pretty young lady sing and realizes she'd be great as his new leading lady--at which point there's another confrontation with his son. A bit later, Lugosi tries to use his casting couch on the new singer--and what follows is a pretty ridiculous ending where everything is miraculously resolved! You have to see the film to understand exactly what I mean--but it truly defies common sense and makes this movie end on a silly note.
Nothing is particularly outstanding about this film. The style is a bit dated even for 1925 but there's enough action to keep your attention. Worth watching mostly if you are a huge Lugosi fan.