Returning to this, because I rewatched it last night: Barthelmess's reaction is one of the single finest things I've seen from him (and I've generally been impressed by him as an actor).
Excellent.
I don't know if you've had a chance to watch the rest of the 1930 version yet, but (having watched the 1938 version today*), there are two scenes in the second half which (while remaining broadly the same in outline) are written and played in significantly different ways.
I have not yet watched the original version—I will at least mention on DW/LJ when I do. You can talk to me about the differing scenes if you like; I am relatively spoiler-indifferent. You can also wait to see what happens when I hit them if you think that will be more fun.
Here is a random promo shot of the 1930 leads looking delightfully out of character (i.e. relaxed and happy)
I've got that photo! I always enjoy seeing Richard Barthelmess smiling; it seems rare in his sound films.
Speaking of, I just found out that TCM is showing The Patent Leather Kid (1927) in February. I've actually got it on my calendar. I've wanted to see it for years not just for Barthelmess, but because it was a favorite movie of my grandfather's: it was in fact the first movie he could remember ever seeing, at the Broadway Theater in Brooklyn. I never got the chance to watch it with my grandfather, but it's been on my list ever since.
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Excellent.
I don't know if you've had a chance to watch the rest of the 1930 version yet, but (having watched the 1938 version today*), there are two scenes in the second half which (while remaining broadly the same in outline) are written and played in significantly different ways.
I have not yet watched the original version—I will at least mention on DW/LJ when I do. You can talk to me about the differing scenes if you like; I am relatively spoiler-indifferent. You can also wait to see what happens when I hit them if you think that will be more fun.
Here is a random promo shot of the 1930 leads looking delightfully out of character (i.e. relaxed and happy)
I've got that photo! I always enjoy seeing Richard Barthelmess smiling; it seems rare in his sound films.
Speaking of, I just found out that TCM is showing The Patent Leather Kid (1927) in February. I've actually got it on my calendar. I've wanted to see it for years not just for Barthelmess, but because it was a favorite movie of my grandfather's: it was in fact the first movie he could remember ever seeing, at the Broadway Theater in Brooklyn. I never got the chance to watch it with my grandfather, but it's been on my list ever since.