Customer Reviews

CHICAGO The Original 1927 Film Restored

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flicker Alley is giving the home video premiere to the 1927 silent film "CHICAGO" on July 7th. This is the film that was based on the 1926 play of the same name and THAT was on a book (by Maurine Watkins). And this film formed the basis for the Broadway show, and later the Oscar winning film by the same name. (and there was also the non-musical film "Roxy Hart").

The 1927 film was considered lost but a near-pristine copy was found in Director Cecil B. DeMille's private collection and the folks at UCLA did some restoration and transfer. Apparently it has been shown at festivals but never released on home video.

To say that the print is gorgeous is an understatement! The blacks are sharp black and the whites are sharp too. (And this is on the same TV where the new "A Star is Born" restoration wasn't so sharp.) Phyllis Haver is Roxy and she is great! Sexy, cute and lethal with a gun. The pre-code sexuality is highly entertaining and the new score is perfect - with great sound effects too! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

The film is being released in a 2-DVD package (with great graphics and a 26 page book of notes and photos). The first disc has the film as well as photo gallery. Plus a short documentary about the woman upon who the Hart character was based. The second disc has a brief column documentary from the 1980s titled "Flapper Girl" in which filmmaker Lauren Lazin interviews five women who were "flappers" in the 20s. and a compilation from the March of Time series titled "The Golden Twenties", which is fun to watch. The print of the former is somewhat worn - but still watchable - while the March of Time one is, again, in beautiful condition.

All these bonuses - and is some CD-ROM material on one disc as well - are, of course, icing on the cake. The real reason to see this is for the feature film! You'll watch it a second time just to catch Haver in action!

Jeff Masino and David Shepard (the Flicker alley owners) have done great reissues in the past. This is another gem and they should be thanked for putting together this superb package.


Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

"Those who forget History are condemned to repeat it" is the famous quote and perhaps that explains the current movie climate where remakes predominate. As we continue to evolve into a culture of short term gratification and long term memory loss, it's important to rediscover forgotten parts of our cinematic history especially when it's presented in such a way as this. David Shepard and Flicker Alley are to be congratulated yet again for their fine work in bringing to us another film previously thought to be lost.

For those of you not familiar with the award winning Broadway musical or 2002 film version, CHICAGO is based on a 1926 play which tells the story of the trial of Roxie Hart, an adulterous wife who shot her lover after he tried to ditch her. The play isn't about the verdict but how the trial is used to promote almost everyone involved except the long suffering husband. Although played for all its melodramatic possibilities with elements of humor, it sadly shows us that little has changed in 80 years when it comes to sensationalistic journalism.

The film rights were quickly snapped up by Cecil B. De Mille who had his own movie company at this time. It's essentially his movie all the way but he allowed Frank Urson (an assistant director) to take credit because of De Mille's involvement with THE KING OF KINGS which was already in theaters. Phyllis Haver gives a wonderfully manic and comic performance as Roxie Hart while Victor Varconi excels as the betrayed husband, Amos Hart and yes that's gravelly voiced Eugene Pallette minus his voice and later girth as the murdered lover. The print looks as if it were processed yesterday and Rodney Sauer's score is up to his usual fine standards. With the usual Flicker Alley extras, CHICAGO is a must for silent film fans and is an ideal introduction to those who are not.

In recent years, audiences have thronged to both the stage musicals and motion pictures entitled Chicago, with stars like Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger in the 2002 Oscar-winning film, and Ginger Rogers in the 1942 movie version entitled Roxie Hart. All of these successful productions are based on the original stage play and subsequent first motion picture from 1927, which writer Maurine Dallas Watkins based on a real-life murder trial which she covered as a journalist for the Chicago Tribute in 1924.

After 172 successful Broadway shows in 1926, the first film adaptation was made by the DeMille Production Company, and like most silent films attached to the name of Cecil B DeMille, it contains all the elements of a top-quality Hollywood production. As such, however, a few changes from the original stage play were made to suit film audiences, resulting in a serious drama with light touches of humour. An outstanding performance by Phyllis Haver in the lead role as Roxie Hart also greatly contributes to the effectiveness of the film.

As a non-musical film adaptation, attention is directed at the main characters and the story of the infamous murder and trial. The beautiful, blonde Roxie Hart, whose adoring husband is devoted to her, hides a dark double life which is exposed when she shoots her lover and kills him. Claiming self-defense because she feared the thief and stranger who broke into her home would rape her, an all-male jury acquitted her of murder charges, but it is the way in which she manipulates her surroundings to her own benefit that is expertly conveyed in this film.

Using her attractiveness and sex appeal, Roxie plays the sweet and innocent maiden to the hilt, with coaching from her lawyer to appeal to the sympathy of the jurors. The feminine wiles she over-acts in these cases are humorous indeed, but not when the result in real life is an acquittal solely due to her appearance and behaviour in court. The viewer is well aware of Roxie's true nature, her complete lack of conscience or remorse, and even her pleasure in flaunting herself and manipulating others. Her main victim is Amos Hart, her husband, who stoops to stealing in order to pay for her legal fees, and stands by her throughout the trial despite his eyes having been opened to her true nature.

Typifying superficial people obsessed with their attractiveness, Roxie is self-absorbed, feisty, money-hungry and opportunistic, and craves attention and publicity. Accomplished actress, Phyllis Haver had already appeared in nearly a hundred films, beginning her career ten years earlier as one of Mack Sennett's Bathing Beauties - the pedestal for other successful silent screen stars such as Mabel Normand and Gloria Swanson. In contrast to the vibrant character of Roxie, Hungarian-born actor, Victor Varconi, is equally effective in his portrayal of the pathetic husband who silently observes his wife's charade.

The use and abuse of journalism and sensationalism are also shown effectively in this superbly crafted silent film, visually expressing transparent motives, feelings and a great deal about human nature without much dialogue. A poignant ending without words adds the finishing touch, and it is no surprise that Chicago was presented to a sellout house of 1,400 people at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2006.

CHICAGO (1927), is a tantalizingly entertaining film that offers us an accurate portrayal of the cynical view people had toward the law, trash journalism, and general moral standards during the 1920's. Phyllis Haver (in an engaging performance) stars as Roxie Hart, a sexy jazz baby who kills a former lover in her apartment and manages to beat the rap through crooked publicity and legal finagling.

The film was produced by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille, and although the credited director is Frank Urson, there is substantial proof that DeMille directed much of it himself. DeMille is primarily known today as THE director of large scale epics, but during the teens and 20's his forte was films like CHICAGO - witty, sophisticated and erotically charged urban morality plays that were very popular with audiences.

CHICAGO was based on the actual 1924 case of Mrs. Beulah Annan who shot to death Harry Kalstadt allegedly to "save her honor". During a widely publicized trial worthy of O.J. Simpson, the defense attorney won over the jury and Annan was acquitted. This lurid bit of history served as the basis for a 1926 Broadway hit as well as for the famous 2002 musical also entitled CHICAGO. In 1942 Ginger Rogers starred in another film version called ROXIE HART, which is pretty good itself.

Two fine documentaries serve as DVD extras: THE GOLDEN TWENTIES (1950) and THE FLAPPER STORY (1985).

Flicker Alley is to be praised for giving us a spectacular version of this film, mastered directly from DeMille's own original nitrate print which looks immaculate. For a fun film that epitomizes the "Jazz Age", you don't have to look further than CHICAGO.

CHICAGO is a tantalizingly entertaining film that offers us an accurate portrayal of the cynical view people had toward the law, trash journalism, and general moral standards during the 1920's. Phyllis Haver (in an engaging performance) stars as Roxie Hart, a sexy jazz baby who kills a former lover in her apartment and manages to beat the rap through crooked publicity and legal finagling.

The film was produced by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille, and although the credited director is Frank Urson, there is substantial proof that DeMille directed much of it himself. DeMille is primarily known today as THE director of large scale epics, but during the teens and 20's his forte was films like CHICAGO - witty, sophisticated and erotically charged urban morality plays that were very popular with audiences.

CHICAGO was based on the actual case of Mrs. Beulah Annan who shot to death Harry Kalstadt allegedly to "save her honor". During a widely publicized trial worthy of O.J. Simpson, the defense attorney won over the jury and Annan was acquitted. This lurid bit of history served as the basis for a 1926 Broadway hit as well as for the famous 2002 musical also entitled CHICAGO. In 1942 Ginger Rogers starred in another film version called ROXIE HART, which is also pretty good.

Two fine documentaries serve as DVD extras: THE GOLDEN TWENTIES (1950) and THE FLAPPER STORY (1985).

Flicker Alley is to be praised for giving us a spectacular version of this film, mastered directly from DeMille's own original nitrate print which looks immaculate. For a fun film that epitomizes the "Jazz Age', you don't have to look further than CHICAGO.

IF YOU'VE ONLY SEEN THE 2002 FILM(AND OSCAR WINNER) "CHICAGO", THEN YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT THE STORY OF ROXIE HART HAS BEEN FILMED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE. GINGER ROGERS TOOK ON THE ROLE IN THE 1942 VERSION TITLED: "ROXIE HART" WHICH WAS DIRECTED BY THE GREAT WILLIAM A. WELLMAN. BUT LONG BEFORE THESE TWO VERSIONS; CECIL B. DEMILLE AND HIS TEAM FILMED A SILENT VERSION IN 1927 BASED ON THE 1926 BROADWAY PLAY BY MAURINE WATKINS, A CHICAGO JOURNALIST TURNED PLAYWRIGHT. A PERFECT PRINT OF THE 1927 FILM WAS FOUND AMONG DEMILLE'S PRIVATE COLLECTION AND FLICKER ALLEY HAS BROUGHT IT OUT ON DVD IN A 2-DISC COLLECTION. THE PRINT OF THE FILM IS ASTOUNDING CONSIDERING THAT MOST SILENT FILMS HAVE BEEN LOST OR ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. IT'S BEEN RESTORED AT 25 FRAMES A SECOND SO THAT THE MOVEMENTS OF THE ACTORS AND THE ACTION SEQUENCES ARE MORE NATURAL AND NOT SPEEDED UP LIKE MOST SILENT FILMS. THE STORY OF ROXIE(PLAYED BY PHYLLIS HAVER) AND HER DEVOTED IF DUPED HUSBAND AMOS(PLAYING BY VICTOR VARCONI) TAKES AWHILE TO GET STARTED. THE FILM HAS THIRTEEN CHAPTERS AND ROXIE ISN'T EVEN TAKEN TO THE COOK COUNTY JAIL UNTIL CHAPTER SEVEN. THEN IT STARTS TO PICK UP WITH ROXIE ON TRIAL(BY NOW SHE'S A CELEBRITY) AND EVENTUAL VERDICT OF "NOT GUILTY" BY THE ALL-MALE JURY(WHO SEEM MORE INTERESTED IN HER LEGS THAN THE FACT THAT SHE KILLED HER LOVER). DURING THE RESULTING COURTROOM CELEBRATION OF HER ACQUITTAL, THERE IS ANOTHER SHOOTING(IN THE COURTROOM NO LESS!) AND ROXIE BECOMES YESTERDAY'S NEWS. THE FINAL TWO SCENES IN THE FILM ARE VERY TOUCHING AND DIRECTOR FRANK URSON GETS THE MOST OUT OF HIS ACTORS, HAVER AND VARCONI. ROXIE'S WALK INTO THE DARKENED RAINY CHICAGO STREET AFTER BEING THROWN OUT BY HER HUSBAND AMOS IS HEARTBREAKING. IT IS MADE ESPECIALLY POIGNANT WHEN ROXIE VIEWS THE NEWPAPER ON THE SIDEWALK WITH HER NAME ON THE FRONT PAGE BEING STEPPED ON BY PASSERSBY AND FINALLY FLOATING AWAY IN THE GUTTER AND DOWN THE STORM DRAIN. PHYLLIS HAVER CATCHES EVERY EMOTION IN HER FACIAL EXPRESSION AS SHE VIEWS THIS AND WALKS DOWN THE LONELY STREET WITH NOWHERE TO GO. IT'S ALMOST AS SAD AS VIVIAN LEIGH'S FINAL SCENE IN "WATERLOO BRIDGE". MY ONLY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FILM IS THAT IT IS TO LONG(119 MINS) AND SOME SCENES SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN SHORTENED WHICH WOULD HAVE TIGHTENED UP THE STORY. BUT IT'S BEEN 80 YEARS SINCE "CHICAGO" WAS FIRST RELEASED, SO WHAT CAN I SAY. THERE ARE TWO BONUS FILMS ON THE SECOND DISC. WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH THE "ROARING TWENTIES" AND ARE VERY INFORMATIVE. THERE ARE OLD "MARCH OF TIME" NEWSREELS OF THE "TWENTIES" AND THE "FLAPPER" GIRLS AS WELL AS FILM FOOTAGE OF SUCH FILM STARS AS RUDOLPH VALENTINO(THE LATIN LOVER); CLARA BOW(THE "IT" GIRL) AND THEDA BARA("THE VAMP") AMONG OTHERS. SO IF YOU ENJOYED THE 2002 "CHICAGO" I THINK YOU'LL ENJOY THE FILM THAT STARTED IT ALL BACK IN 1927; WHICH IS ALSO CALLED "CHICAGO".