I was able to catch about 26 or so minutes of this movie on you-tube, and what I saw was actually pretty remarkable. The plot has clear intimations of rape and unwed pregnancy, as well as women with loose morals and predatory men. What I saw was so clearly directed by a fine director that I have to believe that at least portions of it must have been directed by Von Stroheim. The settings were very atmospheric, with some great carnival scenes early on. I don't know why whoever posted the movie only made about half of it available, but what's there flowed like a complete movie and I was thrilled to see it. I wish someone would post the entire movie somewhere, or release it on DVD. I have to believe that movie lovers would snap up every copy available, due to the legend surrounding it. I do know that Hello Sister was screened as part of a Von Stroheim retrospective earlier this year in New York, so hopefully we'll see it come DVD someday. Until then, by all means see what you can over at you-tube. It's well worth your time. Finally, in one scene Zasu Pitts refers to herself as homely, which to me is hogwash. She was in fact quite beautiful.
Review of Hello, Sister!
