The Red Mill (1927)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Director:

Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle

Writers:

Frances Marion (adaptation)
Victor Herbert (musical comedy) ...

Release Date:

29 January 1927 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

A silent version of the Victor Herbert-Henry Blossom operetta |

Plot Keywords:

Jump Into Well | Melodrama | Wedding | Winter | Kiss

Cast

Marion Davies	...	Tina
Owen Moore	...	Dennis
Louise Fazenda	...	Gretchen
George Siegmann	...	Willem (as George Siegman)
Karl Dane	...	Captain Jacop Van Goop
Russ Powell	...	Burgomaster (as J. Russell Powell)
Snitz Edwards	...	Caesar
William Orlamond	...	Governor
Ignatz	...	Himself - a Mouse

Runtime:

USA:74 min (2006 alternate version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Company:

Cosmopolitan Productions

Trivia:

Barred from working under his own name by Will Hays after the 1922 scandal, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle deliberately selected a pseudonym, Will B. Goodrich, that spelled out "Wlll Be Good."

Movie Connections:

Version of "The DuPont Show of the Month: The Red Mill (#1.8)" (1958)

Another Great Performance by Marion Davies

Excellent film. Almost a fairy tale in its story of the downtrodden Tina (Marion Davies) and the her cruel boss (George Siegmann) who tries to keep her from her love (Owen Moore).

Davies is, as always a comic delight as the drudge who works from dawn til dusk. She has a pet mouse that lives in the hole of her wood shoe. She dares to enter a skating race because Moore will kiss the winner. She wins (thanks to a big dog) but falls into a huge hole in the ice. She has several more adventures that include a haunted mill called the Red Mill before the happy ending.

Great cinematography and set decoration help make this a fascinating late silent film and a terrific showcase for the marvelous Marion Davies. Moore is also good as "the Irisher." Siegmann was among the best villains in silent films. Excellent comedy support from Snitz Edwards (a favorite of Buster Keaton's) as well as Louise Fazenda and Karl Dane.

A big hit for MGM in 1927 and recently dusted off by TCM and given a new score by Michael Picton. A real treat for Davies fans. And by the way, she plays most of the film without makeup (notice her freckles) but she is just STUNNING in the Irish princess fantasy.

And yes Davies talked William Randolph Hearst (who produced) into hiring Roscoe Arbuckle to direct (as William Goodrich). Davies was one of the most generous and big-hearted women in Hollywood and never forgot a friend.

A real treat!