Sadie Thompson
by Raoul Walsh
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Blanche Friderici, Gloria Swanson, James A. Marcus, Lionel Barrymore, Raoul WalshDirector: Raoul Walsh
Brand: Kino International
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Japanese (Dubbed)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC, Silent
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 96 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-02-20
Audience Rating: Unrated
Model: 1942
Studio: Kino Video
Movie Reviews of Sadie Thompson
Movie Review: Legendary Gloria Swanson In One Of Her Greatest Silent Film Roles
Summary: 5 Stars
For those that only know the legendary Gloria Swanson from her performance in the classic "Sunset Boulevard" in 1950, a viewing of Swanson in her prime in the 1928 silent feature "Sadie Thompson", is essential. This film really goes a long way towards illustrating to viewers unfamiliar with her work the legend that she was during the 1920's when she reigned as one of the silent screen's greatest stars. "Sadie Thompson", came about just as Swanson hit her creative peak and provided her with one of the best acting vehicles in her long career. It was also significant in being her second effort as her own producer at a time when it was rare for a woman to have such control over her own films. Arriving on the screen just as sound was turning the film industry upside down and abruptly ending the careers of many formerly successful foreign stars "Sadie Thompson", is still immensely entertaining today despite the tragedy of the last reel of the film being lost from decomposition during the 1950's. With its final minutes recreated through surviving fragments and still photographs "Sadie Thompson" is a testament to the often underestimated abilities of Gloria Swanson who until this film was restored and released on video and DVD was largely remembered only as the eccentric Norma Desmond from "Sunset Boulevard". While both films are undoubtedly classics "Sadie", reveals Swanson in a character who couldn't be further removed from the reclusive actress she won renewed fame with in Billy Wilder's classic about the down side of Hollywood stardom in the 1950's.
Based on the controversial story titled "Miss Thompson", by W. Somerset Maugham, this was the first of three well known film versions of this story and tells the quite risqué (for the time it was written), story of a San Francisco prostitute Sadie Thompson (Gloria Swanson) who while on her way to take up a new "job" in Apia becomes stranded in Pago Pago when the boat taking her there becomes quarantined with small pox. Forced to seek temporary accommodation in a local seedy hotel Sadie not only becomes an instant hit with the marines stationed on the island and with one Sergeant Tim O'Hara (Raoul Walsh) in particular, but runs afoul of the fanatical missionary Alfred Davidson (Lionel Barrymore) who disapproves of Sadie's lifestyle and sets out to run her off the island. The two strong willed characters continue to lock horns with Davidson going to the governor to get Sadie deported back to the States. Tim soon expresses his love for Sadie and attempts to get her to come to Sydney with him to start a new life however Davidson attempts to blackmail Sadie when she in a weak moment reveals to him why she can't go back to San Francisco. Sadie under the constant threats from Davidson finally gives in to his reforming zeal and begins to repent her former free living lifestyle and she turns Tim away as she prepares to follow Davidson's advice and return to San Francisco to serve her sentence. However time reveals that the fanatical reformer Davidson is not the perfect individual he pretends to be and that under his determination to make Sadie see the error of her ways he secretly has a passion for her. Just when Sadie is at her most vulnerable however Davidson sees the hypocrisy of his own existence as a man of reform and kills himself thus freeing Sadie from ruining her own life. Reunited with the ever loyal Tim the pair then plan that future together in Sydney that they almost threw away because of Davidson's determination to destroy Sadie.
Long regarded as the supreme clothes horse on screen in the 1920's when just as much attention was often paid to how many exotic gowns she wore in each of her productions as for her acting, "Sadie Thompson", provided the type of dramatic challenge that Gloria Swanson craved after finally finishing her long contract with Paramount the previous year. She is luminous in the role of the free spirited prostitute who locks horns with the hypocritical missionary played by Lionel Barrymore. She displays different shades to the character of Sadie, as written by Somerset Maugham; one moment appearing fiery and unconventional, and the next seeking acceptance and the conventional love of a respectable man. It truly is a wonderful performance that shows what Swanson was capable of when given more to work with in her roles and it rightly earned her an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress at the first year of the Oscars. Lionel Barrymore's missionary is certainly a difficult role and despite the potential for going over the top with this character for the most part Barrymore manages to steer an even keel. He and Swanson make a formidable set of antagonists and their verbal sparring even in this silent drama is riverting and at times very comical. The legendary Raoul Walsh playing Sadie's love interest Tim wore many hats in this production which was both adapted and directed by him and at Gloria Swanson's insistence found himself also starring in. While his unconventional looks make him an unlikely love interest for the ever glamourous Swanson his simple manner and sincerity makes the character of the smitten marine ring true. The look of "Sadie Thompson", is first rate in every way with Catalina Island standing in for exotic Pago Pago to great effect courtesy of the atmospheric art direction of William Cameron Menzies especially in the construction of the seedy and perpetually rain soaked hotel where most of the action takes place, and in the Academy Award nominated photography of George Barnes.
One of the miracles of "Sadie Thompson", is that it was ever produced at all in the light of the tight Hays Code censorship that made filming of such a story literally impossible at this time. Although Sadie's profession is never mentioned by name it is obvious as to what her "job", actually is and getting the go ahead to film the story makes very amusing reading in Gloria Swanson's superb autobiography. I'm just grateful that the impossible was achieved as we have Swanson's interpretation of this famous character to enjoy always. Famed for both her film work and her colourful personal life, I often think of Gloria Swanson as the forerunner to Elizabeth Taylor; both actresses being blessed with incredible looks, great acting ability and an always newsworthy personal life. "Sadie Thompson" however proves there is much more to silent film legend Gloria Swanson than the ability to wear beautiful clothes on screen. Here we have a terrific story with plenty of emotion, atmosphere, and characters with depth that should not be missed. A true silent masterpiece.
Summary of Sadie Thompson
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