The Love of Sunya (1927)

A young woman at life's crossroads is granted mystic visions of how her decisions will affect her future life.

Director:

Albert Parker

Writers:

Max Marcin (from the play by), Charles Guernon (from the play by)

Stars:

Gloria Swanson, John Boles, Pauline Garon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gloria Swanson	...	Sunya Ashling
John Boles	...	Paul Judson
Pauline Garon	...	Anna Hagan
Ian Keith	...	Louis Anthony
Andrés de Segurola	...	Paolo De Salvo (as Andres de Segurola)
Anders Randolf	...	Robert Goring
Hugh Miller	...	The Outcast
Robert Schable	...	Henri Picard
Ivan Lebedeff	...	Ted Morgan (as Ivan B. Lebedeff)
John Miltern	...	Asa Ashling
Raymond Hackett	...	Kenneth Ashling
Florence Fair	...	Rita Ashling (as Flobelle Fairbanks)

Storyline

In ancient Egypt, an evil priest drove a pure maiden to suicide. In today's reincarnation, to free himself the priest must find and help the maiden...now a young American singing student, Sunya Ashling, who is torn between pursuing a career in European opera, going to South America with fiancée Paul, or saving her father from financial ruin by marrying wealthy Robert Goring. The ancient priest, reincarnated as a gypsy vagabond, grants her visions of her future life if she should follow each of the three roads. Does each have a fatal drawback?

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Plot Keywords:

reincarnation | occult | remake | based on play | 

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Taglines:

A Drama of Invincible Destiny

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original cinematographer Robert Martin (I) was replaced by George Barnes (I), who finished the film uncredited.

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Quotes

Paul Judson: Not a fortune teller, but one who has been seeking to help you. In this crystal, you will see all that your heart yearns to know
Sunya Ashling: You mean I can look into the future and see what is wisest for me to do?
Paul Judson: Take heed, what matters most is the effect your decision will have upon your soul. Through the crystal, you will see what the years hold in store for you
Sunya Ashling: Should I accept de Salvo's offer?
Paul Judson: Look - and desire with a pure heart

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Alternate Versions

Re-released in 1977 under Paul Killiam's Film Classic serie in a restored version, tinted, with a new piano score by 'William Perry' and a credit list at the end.

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Connections

Featured in The Love Goddesses (1965)

User Reviews

Dark and moody

Gloria Swanson and the rest of the cast make this film tolerable, but the plot doesn't give one any surprises, nor do we find ourselves caring about the characters with any great depth of feeling. The Egyptian mysticism wasn't necessary to the film and actually made the film more superficial than it could have been without it. Perhaps Gloria was taking her cues from her past relationship and films with Cecil B. DeMille, but still we could easily have seen the results of Sunya's choices without the aid of a crystal ball.

Best thing about "The Love Of Sunya", for me, was seeing John Boles in a silent film. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for him, and he was so young here. Not to mention he was great in the love scenes; very easy on the eyes. :)

The print I saw was on VHS and very dark; I don't know if the DVD version print is any better, since it seems to be unavailable. The piano score was uninspiring. See the film if you have an interest in Gloria Swanson or John Boles, but other than that the film itself is rather forgettable.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

11 March 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Love of Sunya

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$502,086

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gloria Swanson Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1