Director: HARRY BEAUMONT. Screenplay: Dorothy Farnum. Based the 1916 play by Clyde Fitch. Photography: David Abel. Film editor: Howard Bretherton. Art directors: Esdras Hartley, Lewis Geib. Assistant director: Frank Strayer. Art titles: V. Vance.
Copyright 14 March 1924 by Warner Brothers. New York opening at the Strand: 30 March 1924. 10 reels. 9,900 feet. 128 minutes.
COMMENT: This is actually Willard Louis' film. He plays the Prince of Wales with total finesse, whereas Barrymore is forced to play most of his role in whiteface, which doesn't really suit him, despite director Harry Beaumont's willingness to indulge him with countless shots of his "great profile". It's not until the end of the movie that Barrymore gets a chance to really show off his acting skills, whereas Willard Louis plays his princely caricature as if to the manner born. And it's good to see super-lovely Mary Astor who makes both a charming and believable heroine here. The movie is fortunately available on a superb 10/10 DVD from Warner Archive, as well as a totally unwatchable Televista pressing. A pity all Warner Archive offerings don't always come up to this same impeccable standard.
Across to Singapore (1928), for example, would rate only 6/10 in my book due to extensive nitrate decomposition.
Copyright 14 March 1924 by Warner Brothers. New York opening at the Strand: 30 March 1924. 10 reels. 9,900 feet. 128 minutes.
COMMENT: This is actually Willard Louis' film. He plays the Prince of Wales with total finesse, whereas Barrymore is forced to play most of his role in whiteface, which doesn't really suit him, despite director Harry Beaumont's willingness to indulge him with countless shots of his "great profile". It's not until the end of the movie that Barrymore gets a chance to really show off his acting skills, whereas Willard Louis plays his princely caricature as if to the manner born. And it's good to see super-lovely Mary Astor who makes both a charming and believable heroine here. The movie is fortunately available on a superb 10/10 DVD from Warner Archive, as well as a totally unwatchable Televista pressing. A pity all Warner Archive offerings don't always come up to this same impeccable standard.
Across to Singapore (1928), for example, would rate only 6/10 in my book due to extensive nitrate decomposition.