The Night of Love

As they say, they don't make 'em like this anymore. All the more reason is enjoy this visually sumptuous production. You've presumably read the story outline from the previous reviews so I'll skip a repeat of a plot description here.

While the story is over-the-top and doesn't hold any real surprises, this handsomely produced Samuel Goldwyn silent is a treat for the eye, with wonderful costumes and sets and, at times, luminous photography, with some breath taking close ups of its two stars (a dashing curly haired Ronald Colman as a gypsy bent on revenge and the lovely Vilma Banky as a French princess that he takes prisoner).

Released in January, 1927, this film was shot the previous year, with director George Fitzmaurice in wonderful control. This was just after he had just finished filming the similarly entertaining (though somewhat more tongue-in-cheek) Son of the Sheik, a film with the same leading lady, as well as in-your-face villain (a smirking Montagu Love).

Miss Banky, whose thick Hungarian accent would be the death of her film career with the arrival of the talkies, has genuine chemistry with Colman, just as she had had with Valentino. (This would be one of five films in which Banky and Colman would be co-starred).

There's an orgy of sorts (well, at least a lot of dancing girls in skimpy attire running around) in villain Love's castle, as well as an exciting attempt to rescue a damsel held in a castle dungeon. And, for once, it's the quick thinking of the leading lady that saves the day and brings the film to its final happy resolution.

The print that I saw had a lovely golden tint, adding even more to the visual glories of this, unfortunately, exceedingly difficult film to find.