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BrentReid
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Enchanted April (1935)
Ann Harding's the star but everyone shines in this highly enjoyable early talkie
Many other reviewers inexplicably focus on how the 1935 adaptation of Enchanted April isn't faithful to the 1922 source novel by Elizabeth von Arnim or is somehow inferior to the longer 1991 version. Sadly for them, they're missing the point. Firstly, this is a work complete in and of itself, and neither enhanced nor diminished by specious comparison to a related work. Secondly, it isn't actually based directly on the novel, but the successful 1925 Broadway play that the novel inspired, hence this being a US as opposed to European-made film. A single viewing makes this fact abundantly clear. What's more, at a mere but adequate 95 minutes, the excellent 1991 version is not – and could not – be faithful to the novel either.
What we do have here is an utterly charming and concise little film that, despite its US studio-bound production, effectively establishes both mood and mise-en-scène, especially by clever use of rear projection, matte paintings and spacious, well-appointed sets. Even within the necessarily limited characterisations and plot development dictated to by its abbreviated running time of 66 minutes, it manages to squeeze in much humour, both subtle and slapstick, wry, witty dialogue and an unexpectedly powerful and poignant ending. Lastly, and perhaps most of all, it leaves you wanting more; what more could one ask of any film? Enchanted April is a masterclass in brevity and economy in its storytelling and filmmaking, and is highly recommended to all fans of early talkies.
As for actually seeing it, aside from infrequent TV airings, as of 2017 is via the only authorised home video release: a 2005 region 2 French DVD on the Editions Montparnasse label, titled Avril enchanté. It features a very clean print from an unconverted NTSC- PAL master, hence its unaltered running time, and optional French subtitles in a small yellow font. Additionally, there is an informative 2½ minute intro – in French, sans sous-titres – by film historian and restorer Serge Bromberg of Lobster Films. Just be careful to avoid the lesser- quality counterfeit Spanish DVD, titled Un Abril Encantado, on the Vértice Cine label.
You're in for a rare treat – enjoy!
Goodness Gracious (1914)
Simply one of the funniest films I've ever seen!
I saw this screened at the 2014 Pordenone Silent Film Festival (Le Giornate del Cinema Muto) and am still grasping for ways to describe it adequately. It plays fast and loose with time, spatial dimension, surrealism and doesn't so much break down the fourth wall as completely smash it apart.
Just when I think I've seen at least a representative selection of everything that was made during the silent era, up pops something to show me that there was no limit to the inventiveness and ingenuity on display at that time. Aside from CGI, within a few short years of cinema's inception they really did invent pretty much everything we now take for granted.
This is one of the occasions when one of F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre's reviews can actually be taken at face value. He describes the film accurately enough and genuinely appears to have actually seen it, but no mere words could do this 28 minutes or so of inspired, madcap lunacy justice. It does bear strong comparison with the British "Pimple" comedy shorts being made by Fred Evans around the same time. Though the Pimple films I've seen so far are amongst my very favourite silent film offerings of all, in many ways this surpasses them in almost every regard.
As of the time of writing, this comedy masterpiece is unavailable, outside of a festival screening or visit to an archive. Hopefully that won't always be the case.
My verdict? Much, much more please!