I haven't seen many Douglas Fairbanks movies - just The Thief of Baghdad, When the Clouds Roll By and The Mystery of the Leaping Fish, the last two also courtesy of the San Francisco Silent Film Fest. The hammy qualities overshadow the daring stunt work for me. However, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to view my first Lupe Valez.
You know I'm not easily won over by movie stars but wow, she has a presence. I'd heard about her from friends and its easy to see why she's talked about. Fiery is the best term, and much like Clara Bow especially the eyebrow expressions. Oh Mr. Fairbanks - why walk into a scene when you can do a back flip? Its all so endearing and so much fun.
The best part was the outtakes shown before the feature. The shots of Mary Pickford as the Virgin were not only shot in two-strip technicolor but with a whirling set of metal spikes behind her head lit brightly to replicate the celestial glow. Numerous shots were tried and miraculously those that didn't quite line up just right (as well as those with the technicians making adjustments) have been preserved.
Viewed at the Castro Theatre as part of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
The booklets published by the festival feature great articles on each film.
This film was written up by local writer and blogger Brian Darr.
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