"Silver Dollar", a very early E.G. Robinson vehicle, is not a great movie by any means, but it is more interesting to watch if you know that it is essentially the true story of Colorado miner and politician Horace Tabor, although his character is named Yates Martin here. In fact, the accuracy with which Tabor's basic life story is told is quite surprising for a Hollywood flik. Perhaps the only failure on this point is that in the film, Martin receives his Postmastership of Denver while on his death bed, while in real life Tabor served a full year as postmaster before dieing (a small concession to the need to find a dramatic finish).
For most of the film, Yates Martin, as played by Robinson, is bufoonish and mildly irritating; not because Robinson's acting is bad - that is impossible - but rather because of Martin lack's common sense and tact in his dealings with others. He is vain and a braggart, and ridiculously optimistic, as miners are often characterized to be (even in poverty he claims, "stick with me and we'll be buried in silver caskets). The only difference is, with enormous luck, Martin succeeds beyond his dreams, falling into unimaginable wealth despite his poor business judgment.
The payoff, however, is at the end, when Martin goes bust. Here is where Robinson truly shines. Usually when younger actors are made up to appear old, the result is unconvincing and unsatisfying. But Robinson's portrayal of the old, broke, and slowly declining Martin is magnificent and convincing. As Martin slides into mild dementia, Robinson's acting skills really come to the fore. It is well worth the wait of an hour through an otherwise unremarkable movie.
"Silver Dollar" is helped greatly by a particularly strong cast of supporting players. Russel Simpson has a good role as a party boss, and Aline MacMahon, as Robinson's wife, gives a great preview of a coming career specializing in weary and cynical women. A special treat is silent star Walter Long, in a brief appearance as the miner who sells Martin a supposedly worthless mine for $50,000. Long played the foil in several Laurel and Hardy movies, and may best be remembered for playing Gus, the terrifying "renegade Negro", in Birth of a Nation.
Is there such a thing as time wasted watching Edward G. Robinson? Definitely not. And how often will you ever see a movie that gives a speaking role to President Chester A. Arthur?
For most of the film, Yates Martin, as played by Robinson, is bufoonish and mildly irritating; not because Robinson's acting is bad - that is impossible - but rather because of Martin lack's common sense and tact in his dealings with others. He is vain and a braggart, and ridiculously optimistic, as miners are often characterized to be (even in poverty he claims, "stick with me and we'll be buried in silver caskets). The only difference is, with enormous luck, Martin succeeds beyond his dreams, falling into unimaginable wealth despite his poor business judgment.
The payoff, however, is at the end, when Martin goes bust. Here is where Robinson truly shines. Usually when younger actors are made up to appear old, the result is unconvincing and unsatisfying. But Robinson's portrayal of the old, broke, and slowly declining Martin is magnificent and convincing. As Martin slides into mild dementia, Robinson's acting skills really come to the fore. It is well worth the wait of an hour through an otherwise unremarkable movie.
"Silver Dollar" is helped greatly by a particularly strong cast of supporting players. Russel Simpson has a good role as a party boss, and Aline MacMahon, as Robinson's wife, gives a great preview of a coming career specializing in weary and cynical women. A special treat is silent star Walter Long, in a brief appearance as the miner who sells Martin a supposedly worthless mine for $50,000. Long played the foil in several Laurel and Hardy movies, and may best be remembered for playing Gus, the terrifying "renegade Negro", in Birth of a Nation.
Is there such a thing as time wasted watching Edward G. Robinson? Definitely not. And how often will you ever see a movie that gives a speaking role to President Chester A. Arthur?