Year: 1930
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Country: US
Language: English
Many sequences in Madam Satan (1930) were filmed in colour, but due to corporate backlash against musicals which made the extra cost of colour unnecessary, Director Cecil B. DeMille decided that he would release these scenes in black and white. The incredible influx of musicals being made, due to sound being introduced to motion pictures just three years earlier with Jazz Singer, made American theatres too saturated with the genre and thus the film was considered a financial failure.
Angela (Kay Johnson) and Bob Brooks (Reginald Denny) are an upper class couple. Unfortunately, Bob is an unfaithful husband, but Angela has a plan to win back her husband's affections. An elaborate masquerade ball is to be held aboard a magnificent dirigible. Angela will attend and disguise herself as a mysterious devil woman.
The film comes across multiple genres throughout its run-time; at one point a musical, then a bedroom comedy, then a disaster film. Its plot is very reminiscent of an Ernst Lubitsch or Preston Sturges film like The Lady Eve (1941). DeMille's pictures aren't as subtle as Lubitsch's however; a heavy moral hand guides us and, while we are subject to plenty of sin, the lengthy run-time will grow any audience weary.
Despite of DeMille's righteous morality, Madam Satan is a high budget film that gives us plenty in the way of impressive stunts, special effects and costumes. The staging, cinematography and cast is all remarkable. Unfortunately much of the film's energy is given to the second half of the picture, which makes the first hour or so a drag.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to the limitations of sound technology in 1930, the musical half of the picture isn't as memorable as one would hope. Aside from one song (out of many) the music can be considered white noise at best. Madam Satan is worth one viewing, but ultimately it would be understandable if this picture became forgotten.
No comments:
Post a Comment