Dir. John Ford
57 Minutes
USA
1926
Starring: George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, William Russell, Margaret Livingston, Robert Edeson
***/*****
Only exists in a 58 minute version that is missing a reel (which appears to be a naval action sequence, oh well).Â
George (George O'Brien) and Jim (William Russell) set aside their differences while in the navy, but now that the war is over they have resumed their rivalry, namely involving their mutual paramour, Rosie (Janet Gaynor). When returning home, George discovers that his brother has become involved in a local dope ring, and town pastor Father Regan (who was George and Jim's naval superior) unites the two to help knock out the trouble.Â
While it is always a shame when a film technically exists only as a fragment (and it would be quite welcome to see the missing sequence), the lack of a big action spectacle gives the film and its drama an almost quaint and more intimate feel, suitable for both the love triangle element as well as the fraternal tension. The film is ambitious is its meshing of various tones and subplots, though even just under an hour the entire thing comes across as packed. However, there are still some remarkable visual sequences, and Ford's frames are so packed with information and detail that the picture has a consistent life and this post-war town has a real life to it. Gaynor is just on the cusp of some of her best work (amazing to think that 7th Heaven is just around the corner), and O'Brien and Russell are good enough to hit the beats of their arcs (culminating in a boxer match that is someone added to a dramatic drug running action sequence). Ford continues working on themes of masculinity, exploring it though the lens of forced camaraderie during times of political strife. Enjoyable film, but even without the complete footage it is still too much of a mixed bag to be particularly appealing outside of a curio for some of its parts.
Viewed on July 9th, 2020
Part of an ongoing John Ford Project with notes from selected films.