Irene (1926)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Available from Grapevine is the delightful 1926 version of the hit Broadway musical, Irene, with the wonderful Colleen Moore in the star role, and an excellent support cast headed by George K. Arthur as Madame Lucy (the scene in which he so skillfully dresses the undressed Moore is a gem of superlative acting, clever timing and directorial finesse - I still haven't worked out how he did it!). Deservedly super-popular comedians Charlie Murray and Kate Price head the support cast. Lloyd Hughes is in there too, though, as usual, he is the least interesting of all the players. Fortunately, he's not in the 91-minute Kodascope version (theatrical prints ran 2 hours) long enough to prove too much of a too bland counter-balance to the lively Colleen. Otherwise, Alfred E. Green did a first-rate job of direction for First National. Happily, Grapevine's 8/10 DVD includes the Technicolor sequence (which, alas, has turned red, but better a flaming Technicolor than a dull black-and-white).

This obscure Colleen Moore vehicle is an agreeable if inconsequential comedy best viewed for historical interest rather than laughs. Seen today, it's an invaluable time capsule to a gentler age, but probably not worth recommending to anyone who isn't already susceptible to the nostalgic attraction of silent films.I was fortunate to see it on the big screen with live musical accompaniment, at the Pacific Film Aechive in Berkeley back in the mid-1980's. The two companion films on the same program included the minor but extremely rare one-reeler 'Something In Her Eye' (1915) and 'A Lucky Strike' (ditto), both featuring a young Oliver Hardy, years before his teaming with Stan Laurel.

Another top silent comedy by superstar Colleen Moore.... In this one she plays the daughter of a poor Irish family (with all the stereotypes) from Philadelphia. After losing her job in a department store and fighting with Ma (Kate Price) she ends up in New York City where she lands a job as a dressmaker's model. She meets a wealthy man (Lloyd Hughes) and you can guess the rest.Moore sparkles as usual playing the spunky lass who fights the odds and makes good. The film is also notable for the openly gay character of Madame Lucy, played by George K. Arthur. Charlie Murray plays the dad, and Bess Flowers and Eva Novak play models.This First National release also boasted a 2-strip Technicolor sequence (the model show) but my copy has what looks like a red tint for this section unless that's all that's left of the color.... no idea.The best scene is perhaps the one where Moore is on a turntable so that Madame Lucy can drape fabric over her and create a dress.... and amazingly he does.... then the turntable goes haywire.... LOL