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"Miss Mend" (1926)~watched~
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Old Movie Fan
Dec 9, 2009, 10:23:46 AM12/9/09
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Expecting to see a Russian styled film, I was surprised to see what
could have easily been mistaken for a light comedy/suspense film out of
Hollywood. The four hour ten minute long program was actually three
seperate films, parts 1, 2, and 3, with a run time between 1:14 and
1:28.
Robert Osborn's comment at the conclusion; that the Russian critic's
had panned it as being to much like 'typical Hollywood fluff', was a
good description of what I saw. But it was much more, even if comedy is
my least favorite type of film to watch.
The first thing I noticed was that all of the characters had common
English names. That, plus only English language print was seen in the
sets during the first part of the story (which apparently begins in
England).
There's nothing 'Russian' about the acting or directing, but it soon
became obvious that these actors must either be extremely athletic, or
there's some very clever photography. I've only seen Douglas Fairbanks
leap over walls or drop to the ground as the trio of male characters do
again and again.
Miss Mend, a talented and very photogenic star (often seen changing
her clothes while her friends promise not to look), played her part very
well.
There's so much in this that parodies American film, including
Hollywood's treatment of Black characters, bar room fights and the
cliffhanger endings. Some of the scenes have been staged on what
appears to be a huge estate with enormous rooms and manicured garden.
could have easily been mistaken for a light comedy/suspense film out of
Hollywood. The four hour ten minute long program was actually three
seperate films, parts 1, 2, and 3, with a run time between 1:14 and
1:28.
Robert Osborn's comment at the conclusion; that the Russian critic's
had panned it as being to much like 'typical Hollywood fluff', was a
good description of what I saw. But it was much more, even if comedy is
my least favorite type of film to watch.
The first thing I noticed was that all of the characters had common
English names. That, plus only English language print was seen in the
sets during the first part of the story (which apparently begins in
England).
There's nothing 'Russian' about the acting or directing, but it soon
became obvious that these actors must either be extremely athletic, or
there's some very clever photography. I've only seen Douglas Fairbanks
leap over walls or drop to the ground as the trio of male characters do
again and again.
Miss Mend, a talented and very photogenic star (often seen changing
her clothes while her friends promise not to look), played her part very
well.
There's so much in this that parodies American film, including
Hollywood's treatment of Black characters, bar room fights and the
cliffhanger endings. Some of the scenes have been staged on what
appears to be a huge estate with enormous rooms and manicured garden.
If you've enjoyed "Les Vampires," the ten part series from France, you
just might enjoy watching this too. But just like with "Vampires,"
don't try and watch it all at once.
Rich Wagner
Steve J
Dec 10, 2009, 12:13:31 PM12/10/09
to
On Dec 9, 10:23 am, BigMovie...@webtv.net (Old Movie Fan) wrote:
.
> The first thing I noticed was that all of the characters had common
> English names.
.
> The first thing I noticed was that all of the characters had common
> English names.
Indeed. Even the novel M*e*ss Mend upon which the film was very
loosely based (trust me, I've read it) was credited to someone called
"Jim Dollar", a pseudonym for Marietta Shaginyan.
There's a very nice booklet that comes with the Flicker Alley DVD
which goes into greater detail.
I've only made it thru 2 of the 3 chapters of the DVD so far but, yes,
I agree it definitely shouldn't be watched all at once. All in all,
very worthwhile.
Steve.
Rich Wagner
Dec 10, 2009, 7:38:37 PM12/10/09
to
In the opening last Sunday night, Robert Osborne explained how 'Jim
Dollar' was used by the author because while woman writers were accepted
generally, women authors of trashy pulp fiction were not.
There's a little bit of everything in this series, from incredible
visuals to some really foolish scenes; but every bit of it is supported
by proper music and a crisp image. In one early scene, Vivian's bare
leg is exposed as the police drag her away, adding to the titillation
(this is after all, 1926).
Miss Mend had three (actually four), admirers, and one even wins her
in the end.
Dollar' was used by the author because while woman writers were accepted
generally, women authors of trashy pulp fiction were not.
There's a little bit of everything in this series, from incredible
visuals to some really foolish scenes; but every bit of it is supported
by proper music and a crisp image. In one early scene, Vivian's bare
leg is exposed as the police drag her away, adding to the titillation
(this is after all, 1926).
Miss Mend had three (actually four), admirers, and one even wins her
in the end.
Rich Wagner
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