35 | they/them | capricorn
📽️ The Spy in Black, 1939
⭐ 3.5/5
Nov 27, Youtube
We love to see a charming, honor-driven character like Captain Hardt. Curious choice for a late 30s film to have a German U-boat captain as the protagonist (*cough* and carrying the movie *cough*). Because he's not the villain... right? Unlikely and unbelievable that Valerie Hobson would go for the British officer in the end. I have more to say but I'll leave it with this: 🧈
📽️ All Through the Night, 1942
⭐ 3/5
Nov 27, Vudu
This movie is so unashamedly silly. The dialogue alone is so stupid, but self aware in its stupidity. Some of the visual comedy is actually pretty great. Peter Lorre looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. Mrs. Danvers is there. Connie being totally deadpan serious with just a hint of camp really sells it, too. (P.S. DID THEY BLOW UP THAT DOG??)
📽️ Rome Express, 1932
⭐ 3/5
Nov 26, Youtube
My expectations were pretty low based on some things I'd read online, but it's a cute if a little baffling train thriller with an ok cast. Connie is so extra as Zurta. I have so many questions. He makes all the little British actors look positively shrimpy. But my god I was so stressed about how everyone was manhandling that painting the whole time.
📽️ Jew Süss, 1934
⭐ 3.5/5
Nov 26, Youtube
Shame the rest of the cast is so meh, because Connie's range is really on display here. Parts are deeply upsetting and chilling. Feels like a fable at times. And some of the choices in the scenes with the mom and daughter were, uh, interesting. But of course I'm a sucker for 18th century opulence, and Connie really knows how to work the lace and satin. A perfect film? No. An important film? Absolutely yes.
📽 Anders als die Andern, 1919
⭐️ 4/5
Nov 15, Archive.org
It breaks my heart that so much of this film was lost and destroyed, and also that the story is unfortunately still relevant 100+ years later. Despite already knowing so much about the movie from various books, podcasts, & documentaries, I'm surprised I had the emotional reaction I did towards the end. It touches a nerve, even now. Maybe especially now.
📽️ Dark Journey, 1937
⭐ 3/5
Nov 12, Youtube
Please believe me when I say I really tried to pay attention to the spy stuff. But it was extremely difficult as I nearly swallowed my tongue because of how devastatingly attractive Connie is in this film. I know, I was going to try to keep the thirst posts to a minimum but can you blame me? TL;DR The story is fine, the script is middling. Viv Leigh is doing her thing and she got that man so good for her.
Finally started OGOA a few days ago. I'm only just out of season one, but I'm really loving the writing, the soundscapes, the world building.
Well, I didn't have this on my 2024 bingo card.
I'm sure I'll have more thoughts in the coming months, but I guess I have to plan a trip to New York now.
📽 The Black Cat, 1934
I do watch other movies I swear, & lately for whatever reason they've almost all been from the 1st half of the 20th century.
I love this bizarre, buck wild, evil art deco movie. Maybe it has nothing to do with Poe's "Black Cat", has too many loose ends, & the soundtrack is too bombastic... But it feels like a dark, Surrealist dream and Béla Lugosi's performance is pretty wonderful if you ask me.
#classicfilms #universalhorror #theblackcat #boriskarloff #belalugosi
📽️ The Last Performance, 1929
⭐ 4/5
Nov 4, Youtube
Somehow we go from adding a 4th to Erik's polycule to MURDER?? Whoever styled Connie for this movie deserves a big smooch; the heavy makeup, the tails, the white streaks in his hair, the dressing gown -- I'm living for it. But in all seriousness, CV is such an A++ technician as a performer. Truly perfect w/o being inauthentic. Hate that so much footage (& voice over!) was lost.
"A Question of Lust", Depeche Mode
This one's been stuck in my head since hearing it live last week. ♥️
📽 The Passing of the Third Floor Back, 1935
⭐️ 4/5
Nov 1, Archive.org
Kind & Gentle Character Leaves Lasting Influence On a Bunch Of Difficult People always gets me. Sort of ahead of its time, actually. Connie's measured gestures & restraint are so great. I love the way he really considers & sees everyone in a way they're clearly not seeing each other. Also glad there's not a lot of over-explanation like there usually is in similar movies.
📽️ The Student of Prague (Der Student von Prag), 1926
⭐ 4.5/5
Oct 29, Archive.org
Poor Balduin. He just wanted some money and a hot, rich girlfriend. Instead he got his evil double chasing him around like Michael Myers. Love the creepy mirror effects, the updated score, & the final act. And Connie's giving eyes, he's giving face, he's giving shapes, what more could you ask for? Wish I had seen this years ago.
📽️ The Thief of Bagdad, 1940
⭐ 2/5
Oct 24, Max
Ehhh, I don't know. A lot of people really love this movie. I did not. Apparently there were at least 3 directors so that may account for some of the messiness. And I mean, white actors in brown face are always a tough sell. The 3rd act was partially saved by Rex Ingram and Sabu having some extended screen time. But Connie, although glorious in Technicolor, was largely wasted on this one imo.
📽️ A Woman's Face, 1941
⭐ 4.5/5
Oct 18, Vudu & TCM
Extremely underrated and pretty spicy for a Hays Code era film. Actually had to watch this one twice, it's so good. Visually beautiful and narratively interesting, despite the rushed ending. Joan Crawford's performance is maybe the best I've seen from her. And then there's nasty, nasty Conrad Veidt. He very nearly steals the movie from her. Shocked he didn't get second billing.
#veidttober #conradveidt #awomansface #georgecukor #joancrawford
📽️ The Hands of Orlac (Orlacs Hände), 1924
⭐ 4/5
Oct 17, Archive.org
Visually the most pre-David Lynch Lynchian thing I've ever seen, esp the shots lingering on cavernous rooms before an actor enters. Psychological body horror + crime thriller is a win every time. Makes you wonder if they had this script and were like, "Boy, who do we know who's a Hand Actor? Like the handsiest Hand Actor who ever had a pair of hands?"
#veidttober #conradveidt #thehandsoforlac #silentfilms #robertwiene
