Today's movies go at 78 rpm. Movies from the mid-1930s through the 1950s go at 45 rpm. Movies from the beginning of talkies to the early-to-mid 1930s sometimes seem to go at 33&1/3 rpms. That's the way I sometimes think of cinema over the years. So if you're going to enjoy this film, you have to slow your pace down quite a bit, forget about much background music, and just savor that wonderful voice and the mannerisms of Ronald Colman.
There are two primary reasons for watching this film. First, if you're a Ronald Colman fan; and I am. This was Colman's fourth talking picture. He's a pleasure to watch and listen to. A truly unique actor.
The other primary reason for watching this film is Loretta Young, the main love interest. She had made quite a few films before this one, but many of them have been lost forever.
The plot involves Colman as an upper-class happy failure who has been living in Africa, but returns home to England and a father that is angry over his son's lifestyle...and yet loves his son and supports him. Colman first goes to visit his old love -- Myrna Loy, an actress. Loy and her friend (Young) to the the Derby with Colman, and Colman and Young begin falling in love. Young breaks her engagement to a Russian Grand Duke because she loves Colman. Colman eventually proposes, but disappoints Young when he sees Loy one more time...to say goodbye. Colman and Young separate. Will love conquer all, or will Colman move on to New Zealand? Back in these days, America's film industry often seemed obsessed with the lives of the wealthy. I find it a boring obsession. Here, however, it's a fairly interesting story, despite the sometimes very slow pace...and the over-talkativeness.
I have many of Colman's talkies in my collection, but I won't be adding this one. However, I am glad to have seen it. I'm just waiting for the "Light That Failed" to come out on DVD!
There are two primary reasons for watching this film. First, if you're a Ronald Colman fan; and I am. This was Colman's fourth talking picture. He's a pleasure to watch and listen to. A truly unique actor.
The other primary reason for watching this film is Loretta Young, the main love interest. She had made quite a few films before this one, but many of them have been lost forever.
The plot involves Colman as an upper-class happy failure who has been living in Africa, but returns home to England and a father that is angry over his son's lifestyle...and yet loves his son and supports him. Colman first goes to visit his old love -- Myrna Loy, an actress. Loy and her friend (Young) to the the Derby with Colman, and Colman and Young begin falling in love. Young breaks her engagement to a Russian Grand Duke because she loves Colman. Colman eventually proposes, but disappoints Young when he sees Loy one more time...to say goodbye. Colman and Young separate. Will love conquer all, or will Colman move on to New Zealand? Back in these days, America's film industry often seemed obsessed with the lives of the wealthy. I find it a boring obsession. Here, however, it's a fairly interesting story, despite the sometimes very slow pace...and the over-talkativeness.
I have many of Colman's talkies in my collection, but I won't be adding this one. However, I am glad to have seen it. I'm just waiting for the "Light That Failed" to come out on DVD!