1922/2022 Forum Watchfest

[BettyLouSpence]

I've watched When Knighthood Was In Flower. Thoughts below:

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Okay, I'll admit, I'm always a bit hesitant when it comes to costume dramas. I don't know what it is about 20th century portrayals of 16th - 18th century poofy skirts, powdered wigs, and monarchy, but I swear, once combined with a runtime of two hours, it just signals to my brain, "potential slog". Luckily, that wasn't the case here.

Marion is such a good actress. She really made this movie, I think, and she brought so much spunk and pluckiness to her role. She may faint and pine but Mary Tudor is no pushover, and at one point she dons male clothing and busts out of the palace. This is my favorite part of the film, especially when she gets into a swordfight. I also couldn't help but notice that Marion wouldn't look out of place in the 60s with that long hair, minidress-like tunic and knee length boots.

Mary and Brandon really weren't very good at actually, y'know, hiding their affair. The most egregious moment is when Brandon's arrested and he and Mary hold hands and coo each other in distress... in front of the king and the entire court. *facepalm* And I got so much anxiety when they kept stalling before running the first time. Yes yes, you love each other, now just get into the passage!

Ah... tinting. It's like a funland of Skittle-flavored stained glass when there's this many colors. There's also some handcoloring near the end with some torch flames painted yellow, which makes for a cool effect.

New favorite title: "Cover that arm, hussy!"

[donnie]

Responses on Knighthood

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Okay, I'll admit, I'm always a bit hesitant when it comes to costume dramas. I don't know what it is about 20th century portrayals of 16th - 18th century poofy skirts, powdered wigs, and monarchy, but I swear, once combined with a runtime of two hours, it just signals to my brain, "potential slog".

Same here. But yes, this one really was pretty good, and much of that was indeed due to Davies.

I also couldn't help but notice that Marion wouldn't look out of place in the 60s with that long hair, minidress-like tunic and knee length boots.

Yes, she would fit right in as a go-go dancer. That was actually a pretty attractive outfit. And wasn't her hair unusually thick and frizzy in that scene—particularly in those closeups where she is standing on the table as they fight.

New favorite title: "Cover that arm, hussy!"

Yes, I liked that one, too.
Darned hussies. Always uncovering their arms.

By the way, some reviewers seemed to be somewhat freaked out by Lyn Harding's (Henry's) eyes. They were a little unusual looking, but I wasn't particularly bothered by them. I did notice that the fuzziness of the YouTube copy seemed to emphasize their odd appearance. Did his eyes stand out to you?

[BettyLouSpence]

By the way, some reviewers seemed to be somewhat freaked out by Lyn Harding's (Henry's) eyes. They were a little unusual looking, but I wasn't particularly bothered by them. I did notice that the fuzziness of the YouTube copy seemed to emphasize their odd appearance. Did his eyes stand out to you?

That's interesting, I didn't find anything unusual with his eyes. Granted, I watched the Undercrank release; peeping the fuzzy YouTube upload, I can see kinda see what they mean. Still not as freaky as William Austin's (Monty's) eyes in It.

[BettyLouSpence]

I just watched Moran of the Lady Letty:

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Y'know what? I liked this movie. Yes, the story isn't exactly top-notch and it often strains credulity, but hey, it makes for an exciting hour (and I think the film's short run time works in its favor). It starts off slow (and I was admittedly a little lost at the beginning), but it really picks up halfway through once Moran gets picked up. That it breezes through the rest of the plot helps save the film.

Alas, I just wasn't feeling it between Rudy and Dorothy Dalton. The material is already pretty flimsy and the nonexistent chemistry doesn't help. Also, Jo was completely pointless to the story, which is another mark against it. I know she's supposed to be contrasted against plain-Jane Moran and is a symbol of Ramon's old high brow life, but Jo's character is so underutilized that she might as well not be in the story.

Um... okay. Confession time: a modern 1920s girl who knows her way around a ship? With that bob and those knickerbockers? Dorothy can take me sailing anyday.

[donnie]

Responses to Moran:

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Glad you enjoyed this one.

Also, Jo was completely pointless to the story, which is another mark against it. I know she's supposed to be contrasted against plain-Jane Moran and is a symbol of Ramon's old high brow life, but Jo's character is so underutilized that she might as well not be in the story.

Well, she's kind of in the same boat non-boat with Marguerite Courtot: stuck on dry land to make happy faces and sad faces while all the action happens at sea.

Um... okay. Confession time: a modern 1920s girl who knows her way around a ship? With that bob and those knickerbockers? Dorothy can take me sailing anyday.

Her bob was very attractive and suited her. Her eyes were also intriguing in the closeups; I wonder what color they were. Blue, I'd guess?

[BettyLouSpence]

I just watched Lorna Doone:

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Interesting film. I think it'll take a second watch for it to really click with me - I find that a second viewing separates a film into bite-size "chunks" in my mind, which helps with story recall. For now, here are my comments.

Being a Tourneur production, there's some seriously lovely cinematography. Many scenes have ethereal lighting and are effectively framed. I'd love to see this with tints.

This is my first time seeing Madge Bellamy in a film. She's pretty enough in still photographs, but they don't do her full justice. Her facial features work well in front of a film camera (and are also especially suited for the 1920s).

The score I watched this with wasn't the best. It was way too subdued and lethargic imo. Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EukzyE7OII8

[donnie]

I just finished Lorna Doone.

Comments:

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This was a good story, well-paced, well-acted, and very well directed.

I found the ending 20 minutes or so problematic and emotionally unsatisfying: after Lorna's death (or supposed death), I didn't really care much about anything from then on, so the dramatic attack on the Doones and revenge on Carver didn't really mean much to me. And then...come to find out! That was a shocker of an ending, huh? I mean I was glad and all, but there seemed inadequate space given to (or preparation for?) Lorna's stunning resurrection. Did it seem kind of "tacked on" to you?

I also did not understand exactly what was going on in 1:23:16 through ~1:24:40. Was Ruth trying to make a decision or something there? What were the detailed closeups of kitchen objects supposed to indicate?

Being a Tourneur production, there's some seriously lovely cinematography. Many scenes have ethereal lighting and are effectively framed. I'd love to see this with tints.

Yes, indeed! An absolutely gorgeous film. And tints would be a glorious crowning effect in some of those scenes.

This is my first time seeing Madge Bellamy in a film. She's pretty enough in still photographs, but they don't do her full justice. Her facial features work well in front of a film camera...

Agreed! This was my first time seeing her as well, and I thought she was very effective and an endearing character.

I also liked the young Lorna—and young John—quite a lot.

...(and are also especially suited for the 1920s)

Oddly, I immediately agreed with that when I read it and then afterwards realized I didn't understand exactly what you meant. (Which makes no sense, but...) So what did you mean? And why did I agree without understanding?

The score I watched this with wasn't the best. It was way too subdued and lethargic imo.

Agreed here, too. Parts of it had some appeal as a modernist, avant-garde score (though often too repetitive), and it did work at times. But overall, it didn't complement this particular film. It especially fell down badly when Lorna appeared alive at the end.

[BettyLouSpence]

Comments re: Lorna Doone:

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I found the ending 20 minutes or so problematic and emotionally unsatisfying: after Lorna's death (or supposed death), I didn't really care much about anything from then on, so the dramatic attack on the Doones and revenge on Carver didn't really mean much to me. And then...come to find out! That was a shocker of an ending, huh? I mean I was glad and all, but there seemed inadequate space given to (or preparation for?) Lorna's stunning resurrection. Did it seem kind of "tacked on" to you?

I haven't read the novel, so I have no idea if Lorna's resurrection is canon to the source material or not. But when it happened I was very confused for a minute. I guess she was in a coma...? It does come off as a bit of a cop out. If you're gonna kill off a character, there better be a good reason for it, and if you're not gonna commit, there better be an even stronger reason for that.

I also did not understand exactly what was going on in 1:23:16 through ~1:24:40. Was Ruth trying to make a decision or something there? What were the detailed closeups of kitchen objects supposed to indicate?

Not too sure either. I guess as a lead up to the bed just behind the wall, getting the audience guessing as to who's in there?

...(and are also especially suited for the 1920s)

Oddly, I immediately agreed with that when I read it and then afterwards realized I didn't understand exactly what you meant. (Which makes no sense, but...) So what did you mean? And why did I agree without understanding?

Her facial features seem to epitomize the more well-known beauty standards of the 20s - thin brows with down-turned tails, wide-set eyes, button nose, small heart shaped lips, and a rounded face.

[donnie]

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But when it happened I was very confused for a minute. I guess she was in a coma...?

I was actually creeped out when she appeared. I thought maybe it was a ghost or something. And the music didn’t help.

Her facial features seem to epitomize the more well-known beauty standards of the 20s - thin brows with down-turned tails, wide-set eyes, button nose, small heart shaped lips, and a rounded face.

Ah! I see.

I wondered if after watching this I would have an inexplicable craving for Lorna Doone cookies. I did not. Well, actually I wouldn't mind tasting one.