This is the first one I haven't seen. It's interesting to understand how contemporary audiences appraised films, and how the changing culture of succeeding generations can 'age' a film. I suspect the difference lies in whether the themes are cultural and ephemeral (as in Cimarron) or archetypal (as in Dracula). Thanks for your work!
Actually, what we term today as 'racial stereotyping' was the norm back in 1898, so this film is historically more accurate than if it were remade to cater to today's PC sensibilities/restrictions.
As bombastic early-1930s Westerns with dated, inappropriate ethnic humor go, I prefer John Wayne's The Big Trail. But this one wss a smash hit in its day while that one almost strangled The Duke's career in its crib. I've enjoyed other Richard Dix performances (Ace of Aces, the Whistler series) but he is UNBEARABLE here. The spectacle is probably best seen on a big screen, but I'll probably never have that opportunity. And you know what? I'll survive anyway!
They'd just came out of the silent era and into "talkies" (hence, the acting style), weren't that far from WW1, and just into the Great Depression. What would you expect?
This is the first one I haven't seen. It's interesting to understand how contemporary audiences appraised films, and how the changing culture of succeeding generations can 'age' a film. I suspect the difference lies in whether the themes are cultural and ephemeral (as in Cimarron) or archetypal (as in Dracula). Thanks for your work!
Thank you for the comment:)
Actually, what we term today as 'racial stereotyping' was the norm back in 1898, so this film is historically more accurate than if it were remade to cater to today's PC sensibilities/restrictions.
Great series!
Thank you:) Not a lot of views so far, hope it gets better.
As bombastic early-1930s Westerns with dated, inappropriate ethnic humor go, I prefer John Wayne's The Big Trail. But this one wss a smash hit in its day while that one almost strangled The Duke's career in its crib. I've enjoyed other Richard Dix performances (Ace of Aces, the Whistler series) but he is UNBEARABLE here. The spectacle is probably best seen on a big screen, but I'll probably never have that opportunity. And you know what? I'll survive anyway!
Personal Favourite of 1931: Dracula.
I prefer Frankenstein
DRACULA is my favorite 1931 film as well as my favorite Universal monster film.
They'd just came out of the silent era and into "talkies" (hence, the acting style), weren't that far from WW1, and just into the Great Depression.
What would you expect?