"Mr. George Arliss," the way he billed himself, wears his parts like a tailored suit. He seems so comfortable in all of them. He's one of those performers of whom Norma Desmond spoke in Sunset Boulevard: "They had faces, then." Arliss certainly did. And to that I should add, "style". His stage makeup, with lip rouge, is a bit quaint and off-putting at first, but he draws you so effectively into whatever character he's playing, that before long it's out of mind.
One of the delights of an Arliss movie is the young actors he liked to cast, some of whom became stars. He did it famously for Bette Davis, and here he's giving a beautiful, young Mary Astor a boost, as--because he can--his wife!
This is a clever little comedy, about a man who takes a drastic step to get in touch with his wife and kids, who have become too spoiled and self-indulgent to be a family. It's all in good humor, though, with some great comic bit parts, plus the confection of a very young walk-on Randolph Scott drawling a few lines. We know he's going places! There's even some slick corporate intrigue to spice up the plot.
Arliss and John Barrymore were great stage actors who could modulate their theatricality to fit the intimacy of the camera. while retaining their stage presence. Because he made so few movies, because he gives us a glimpse of the actor's craft from an otherwise lost era, and because of his unique look and style, George Arliss is always a treat.
One of the delights of an Arliss movie is the young actors he liked to cast, some of whom became stars. He did it famously for Bette Davis, and here he's giving a beautiful, young Mary Astor a boost, as--because he can--his wife!
This is a clever little comedy, about a man who takes a drastic step to get in touch with his wife and kids, who have become too spoiled and self-indulgent to be a family. It's all in good humor, though, with some great comic bit parts, plus the confection of a very young walk-on Randolph Scott drawling a few lines. We know he's going places! There's even some slick corporate intrigue to spice up the plot.
Arliss and John Barrymore were great stage actors who could modulate their theatricality to fit the intimacy of the camera. while retaining their stage presence. Because he made so few movies, because he gives us a glimpse of the actor's craft from an otherwise lost era, and because of his unique look and style, George Arliss is always a treat.