#J. Grubb Alexander

[movie-titlecards]

Svengali (1931)

My rating: 4/10

Them dang dirty foreigners with their weird Romanian/Russian/German accents and their looking like a mix of Rasputin and an offensive Jewish stereotype and their evil rapey mind control, amirite? I mean, boy has this one aged poorly.

[deepredradio]

Der Mann, der lacht

Story: England im Jahr 1690: Gerade aus dem Exil heimgekehrt, um seinen kleinen Sohn Gwynplaine zu sehen, wird der Adlige Lord Clancharlie vom grausamen König James II. hingerichtet. Zuvor muss er jedoch erfahren, dass der König den Meisterchirurgen Dr. Hardquannone beauftragt hat, Gwynplaine grausam zu entstellen: Ein künstlich geschaffenes irres Grinsen verurteilt ihn dazu, von nun an auf ewig…

[thewarmestplacetohide]

Dread by the Decade: The Man Who Laughs

👻 You can support me on Ko-fi ❤️

★★★★

Plot: A disfigured man finds himself torn between his love and noble birth.

Review: Though it has elements of gothic and psychological horror, this film is mostly a dark drama. Still, no matter how you classify it, it's gripping.

Source Material: L'Homme qui rit by Victor Hugo Year: 1928 Genre: Historical Drama, Psychological Horror, Gothic Country: United States Language: Silent Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Director: Paul Leni Cinematographer: Gilbert Warrenton Writers: J. Grubb Alexander, Walter Anthony, Mary McLean, Charles E. Whittaker Cast: Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Olga Baclanova

-----

Story: 4.5/5 - A compelling love story and character study that balances tragedy with hope.

Performances: 4.5/5 - Veidt steals the show as Gwynplaine, communicating a shocking amount with just his eyes.

Cinematography: 4/5

Editing: 3.5/5

Music: 2.5/5 - A bit corny and ill-fitting.

Sets: 2.5/5 - While the sets are diverse, they tend to look rather cheap and historically inaccurate.

Costumes & Make-Up: 4.5/5 - Gwynplaine's prosthetic and make-up is astounding, and the costumes range from decent to beautiful.

Trigger Warnings:

Reference to child mutilation

Brief violence

[byneddiedingo]

Marian Marsh, Bramwell Fletcher, and John Barrymore in Svengali (Archie Mayo, 1931) Cast: John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Donald Crisp, Bramwell Fletcher, Carmel Myers, Luis Alberni, Lumsden Hare, Paul Porcasi. Screenplay: J. Grubb Alexander, based on a novel by George L. Du Maurier. Cinematography: Barney McGill. Art direction: Anton Grot. Film editing: William Holmes. Music: David Mendoza. George Du Maurier's 1894 novel was called Trilby, as were many of the stage adaptations and early silent film versions. But if you cast John Barrymore as the sinister hypnotist, you almost have to call your film Svengali. It's one of Barrymore's juiciest movie performances, but it surprisingly didn't earn him an Oscar nomination -- an honor he never received. To add to the irony, the best actor Oscar that year went to his brother Lionel for A Free Soul (Clarence Brown, 1931), and one of the actors who did receive a nomination was Fredric March for playing Tony Cavendish, an obvious caricature of John Barrymore, in The Royal Family of Broadway (George Cukor and Cyril Gardner, 1930). Though Barrymore's Svengali doesn't particularly deserve an award, it's the best thing about the film aside from the sets by Anton Grot that were influenced by German expressionism and did earn Grot a nomination, as did cinematographer Barney McGill's filming of them. Like many early talkies, Svengali is slackly paced, as if director Archie Mayo, who learned his craft in the silent era, was still slowing things down so title cards could be placed at the appropriate intervals. It also has some problems of tone: Svengali is not quite the sinister monster you expect him to be from his reputation as an archetype of masterful control. In the beginning he's the butt of horseplay from some of his fellow Paris bohemians, the painters known as The Laird (Donald Crisp) and Taffy (Lumsden Hare), who decide he doesn't bathe often enough and dump him into a bathtub. We know his potential for evil after he causes Madame Honori (Carmel Myers) to commit suicide, but even her character is played for comedy before her untimely end. In this adaptation, by J. Grubb Alexander, the plot revolves around Svengali's manipulation of Trilby (Marian Marsh), an artist's model whose potential as a singer -- even though she can't quite carry a tune -- he deduces from the shape of her mouth. He uses his hypnotic powers to turn her into a diva, though the one performance we see from her, a bit of the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor, doesn't merit the ovation it receives -- perhaps he hypnotized the audience, too. But control of Trilby comes at a cost: Svengali's health begins to decline, and Trilby's career along with it, until at the end they both die as she performs in a nightclub in Cairo, second-billed to a troupe of belly-dancers. Only the lovestruck young artist known as "Little Billee" (Bramwell Fletcher), who has devoted his life to tracking Trilby in hopes of winning her back, is there to witness her end. Thanks to Barrymore, and some good support from character actors like Luis Alberni, who plays Svengali's assistant with the improbable name Gecko, Svengali is never unwatchable, and it mostly avoids the antisemitic notes that many have observed in the character, who is said to have mysterious origins, perhaps in Poland, in the novel and its adaptations.

[davidosu87]

This is another movie I had never heard of until looking through Letterboxd for horror movies from 1931. What I found interesting is that this is the second film from this year starring John Barrymore and Marian Marsh. It had a different take than I came in expecting. Lacking a bit in the story, but I think the darkness of characters is interesting. Have you heard of this one? Thoughts?

[screamscenepodcast]

Merry Christmas! Our horror adjacent episode this month is on Paul Leni's 1928 adaptation of THE MAN WHO LAUGHS!

We look at the relationship this film has with THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, plus some back story on author Victor Hugo.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 52:12; Discussion 1:02:27

[pepoire-blog]

(The Trail of the Octopus, e1: The Devil’s Trademark (1919), dir. Duke Worne)

[stranger-awakening]

Audio Gifts

Hey, everyone!

It’s the end of the year again so I’m gonna gift out my audio masters from this year in case anyone’s interested. There’s 7 audios under the cut!

You’re more than welcome to trade/gift these but if you do just list them as ‘revolution-trade’s master.’ Oh, and don’t ever list them for sale. Thanks!

In The Heights I Australia I January 20, 2019 (Evening) I MP3 I Untracked Cast: Stevie Lopez (Usnavi), Olivia Vazquez (Vanessa), Joe Kalou (Benny), Luisa Scrofoni (Nina), Marty Alix (Sonny), Margi de Ferranti (Abuela Claudia), Monique Montez (Daniel), Libby Asciak (Carla), Alexander Palacio (Kevin), Ana Maria Belo (Camilla), Stephen Tannos (Graffiti Pete), Richard Valdez (Piragua Guy) Notes: Closing night of the shows four day run in Sydney. There were a few sound issues, but this cast is amazing. [link]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory I Australia I January 24, 2019 (Matinee) I MP3 I Untracked [link] Cast: Xion Jarvis (Charlie Bucket), Paul Slade Smith (Willy Wonka), Tony Sheldon (Grandpa Joe), Lucy Maunder (Mrs. Bucket), Jake Fehily (Augustus Gloop), Octavia Barron Martin (Mrs. Gloop), Karina Russell (Veruca Salt), Stephen Anderson (Mr. Salt), Monette McKay (Violet Beauregard), Madison McKoy (Mr. Beauregard), Harrison Riley (Mike TeaVee), Jayde Westaby (Mrs. TeaVee) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory I Sydney, Australia I July 21, 2019 (Matinee) I MP3 I Tracked & Untracked Cast: Paul Slade Smith (Willy Wonka), Xion Jarvis (Charlie Bucket), Tony Sheldon (Grandpa Joe), Octavia Barron Martin (Mrs. Gloop), Jake Fehily (Augustus Gloop), Madison McKoy (Mr. Beauregarde), Jayme-Lee Hankeom (Violet Beauregarde), Stephan Anderson (Mr. Salt), Karina Russell (Veruca Salt), Jayde Westaby (Mrs. Teavee), Harrison Riley (Mike Teavee), Lucy Maunder (Mrs. Bucket), Danielle O’Malley (Grandma Josephine), Johanna Allen (Grandma Georgina), Kanen Breen (Grandpa George), Todd Goddard (Jerry/Ensemble), Madison Green (Cherry/Ensemble) Notes: Closing performance in Sydney. A bit of shuffling as there were people around me eating. During curtain call, all three Charlies were brought out for a final bow. [link] Billy Elliot I Sydney, Australia I October 10, 2019 I MP3 I Tracked & Untracked Cast: Wade Neilson (Billy Elliot), Kelley Abbey (Mrs. Wilkinson), Justin Smith (Dad), Vivien Davies (Grandma), Drew Livingston (Tony), Robert Grubb (George), Dean Vince (Mr. Braithwaite/Ensemble), Danielle Everett (Dead Mum/Ensemble), Aaron Smith (Older Billy/Ensemble), Mason Kidd (Michael), Ella Tebbutt (Debbie), Oscar Mulchay (Tall Boy) Notes: Opening night of the 10th Anniversary Australian production. Includes brief comments from the Associate Director, Simon Pollard. Act 1 is full but Act 2 starts at ‘Deep Into The Ground’ as my phone glitched and I missed the first number. [link] Chicago I Sydney, Australia I October 13, 2019 (Evening) I MP3 I Tracked & Untracked [link] Cast: Tom Burlinson (Billy Flynn), Natasha Bassingthwaighte (Roxie Hart), Alinta Chidzey (Velma Kelly), Casey Donovan (Matron ‘Mama’ Morton), Rodney Dobson (Amos Hart), J. Furtado (Mary Sunshine). Ensemble: Todd Dewberry, Mitchell Fistrovic, Andrew Cook, Samantha Dodemaide, Ben Gillespie, Chaska Halliday, Travis Kahn, Hayley Martin, Kristina McNamara, Joe Meldrum, Tom New, Jessica Vellucci, Romina Villafranca, Rachel Ward, Zachary Webster, Mitchell Woodcock, Amy Berrisford. School of Rock I Sydney, Australia I November 13, 2019 (Evening) I MP3 I Tracked & Untracked [link] Cast: Brent Hill (Dewey Flynn), Amy Lehpamer (Rosalie Mullins), John O’Hara (Ned), Nadia Komazec (Patty), Thea Sholl (Freddy), Brendan Rutledge (Zack), Samantha Zhang (Katie), Tobi Clark (Lawrence), Nakita Clarke (Summer), Jacob Drew (Billy), Ezekiel Sciacca (Mason), Julien Daher (James), Jenna Keenan (Shonelle), Lucy de Hosson (Marcy), Anja O’Connor (u/s Tomika)   Billy Elliot I Sydney, Australia I November 20, 2019 (Matinee) I MP3 I Tracked & Untracked Cast: Omar Abiad (Billy), Lisa Sontag (u/s Mrs. Wilkinson), Justin Smith (Dad), Vivien Davis (Grandma), Drew Livingston (Tony), Robert Grubb (George), James Sonnemann (Michael), Gabrielle Dagger (Debbie), Mason Kidd (Tall Boy), Danielle Everett (Dead Mum), Aaron Smith (Older Billy) Notes: The scenes in Act 1 are a little quiet, but they’re clearer in Act 2 because I adjusted my phone. Billy dropped his chair during Swan Lake and you can hear it thump, but Omar recovered quickly. [link] 

Here’s to more theatre in 2020!!

[brokehorrorfan]

The Man Who Laughs will be released on Blu-ray on June 4 via Flicker Alley. The classic 1928 German expressionist silent film has been restored in 4K by NBCUniversal StudioPost.

Paul Leni (The Cat and the Canary) directs from a script by J. Grubb Alexander (Svengali), adapted from Victor Hugo's 1869 novel of the same name. Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt star.

The Man Who Laughs is presented with two audio tracks: a new orchestral score by Berklee School of Music and the film’s original 1928 Movietone soundtrack. It features reversible artwork. Extras are listed below.

Special features:

Paul Leni and The Man Who Laughs - Visual essay by film historian John Soister

Rare image gallery

Booklet featuring a new essays by film historian Kevin Brownlow and composer Sonia Coronado of the Berklee School of Music

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the story centers on the extraordinary adventures of Gwynplaine (Conrad Veidt), whose wide and mirthless grin inspired DC Comics’ legendary Batman villain, the Joker. Veidt's character has become well known to most cinephiles. Orphaned as a child, Gwynplaine is punished by the king for his father’s transgressions by having his face carved into a hideous grin. Disfigured and alone, Gwynplaine rescues a blind girl Dea (Mary Philbin), and both end up starring in a sideshow where they fall in love. Because she cannot see, Dea does not know about her lover’s tormented grin.

[shawnvanbriesen]

‘Stuff I draw’ -Svengali is a 1931 American pre-Code supernatural drama/horror film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film stars John Barrymore and co-stars Marian Marsh. It was directed by Archie Mayo and the screenplay was written by J. Grubb Alexander. It is based on the gothic horror novel Trilby (1894) by George du Maurier. The film was originally released on May 22, 1931. Warner Brothers was so pleased by the box office on this film that the studio hurriedly reteamed Barrymore and Marsh for another horror film The Mad Genius, released on November 7, 1931. #producer #filmmaking #marketing #wistful #production #deepthoughts #ennui #la #instaartist #director #interiordesign #newyork #transformation #painting #me #johnbarrymore #filmmaker #like #setlife #videography #storyboards #graphicdesign #lifestyle #studio #marianmarsh #hollywood #artistlife #losangeles #shawnvanbriesen (at Brentwood, Los Angeles) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZMcWyh2Mx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p7mftph81wgd

[tellusepisode]

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Crime, Drama |

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is a American crime drama film directed by Werner Herzog and starring Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Tom Bower, Jennifer Coolidge, Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner, Val Kilmer, and Brad Dourif.

Though the film’s title and story loosely resembles that of Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film Bad Lieutenant, according to Herzog, it is neither a sequel nor a remake; its only commonality is a corrupt policeman as the central character. Nonetheless, the director of the original Bad Lieutenant film, Abel Ferrara, expressed dismay that the Herzog film was being made. Both Bad Lieutenant films were produced by Edward R. Pressman.

In August 2005, Terence McDonagh is a New Orleans police sergeant. While cleaning out a locker after Hurricane Katrina, he notices that a prisoner may not have been transferred. When he finds the prisoner about to drown, he mocks him before eventually jumping in the water to save him. He is promoted to police lieutenant and given a medal for his work, but has suffered a serious back injury because of the rescue. As a result, he is prescribed Vicodin to manage the pain.

Six months later, McDonagh is now not only addicted to painkillers, but is habitually using several other drugs including cocaine and cannabis. He has convinced a person that works in the police department to bring him drugs sent to the evidence room. His girlfriend Frankie Donnenfeld, a prostitute, also does cocaine and they often share drugs. He has become estranged from his father Pat, a recovering alcoholic, and his alcoholic stepmother, Genevieve. Over the course of the film, he uses his position as an officer to bully people and steal more drugs.

Director: Werner Herzog

Writer: William M. Finkelstein (screenplay)

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Russell M. Haeuser, Jennifer Coolidge, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk

►Cast:

Nicolas Cage…Terence McDonaghEva Mendes…Frankie DonnenfieldVal Kilmer…Stevie PruitXzibit…Big Fate (as Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner)Fairuza Balk…HeidiShawn Hatosy…Armand BenoitJennifer Coolidge…GenevieveTom Bower…Pat McDonaghVondie Curtis-Hall…Captain James BrasserBrad Dourif…Ned SchoenholtzDenzel Whitaker…DarylIrma P. Hall…Binnie RogersShea Whigham…JustinMichael Shannon…MundtJoe Nemmers…Larry MoyJ.D. Evermore…Rick Fitzsimon (as JD Evermore)Tim Bellow…G (Gary Jenkins)Lucius Baston…MidgetLauren Swinney…AntoinetteNick Gomez…Evaristo ChavezWilliam M. Finkelstein…Dave Jacobs (as William Finklestein)Sam Medina…AndyLance E. Nichols…Jeremiah GoodhusbandTony Bentley…HurleyJeremy Aaron Johnson…YascoBernard Johnson…Dub (as Bernard Bunchy Johnson)Matt Borel…BernieGary Grubbs…Chief of PoliceJ. Omar Castro…First Narcotics DetectiveKerry Cahill…Second Narcotics DetectiveNoel Arthur…Renaldo HayesDouglas M. Griffin…SergeantLauren Pennington…WomanDane Rhodes…BettorJedda Jones…Civilian AideDon Yesso…ClientTrey Burvant…DealerRobert Pavlovich…Dr. MilburnMarco St. John…Eugene GratzDavid Joseph Martinez…Juan MichelDanielle Elaine Mcallister…KimKyle Clements…LawrenceDeena Beasley…Maimouna (as Dorinda Deena Beasley)Deneen Tyler…Pharmacist (as Deneen D. Tyler)Roger J. Timber…Security Guard (as Roger Timber)Joshua Joseph Gillum…Host (as Joshua Gillum)Sean Boyd…Lt. StoyerKatie Chonacas…TinaBrandi Gerard…Yvonne (as Brandi Coleman)Michael Zimbrich…WaiterTrenton Perez…BoyStephanie Honoré…GirlKatrell Dixon…Witness #1Stephen C. Lewis…Witness #2 (as Stephen Lewis)Armando Leduc…Jeff (as Armando L. Leduc)Jillian Batherson…Assistant to D.A.Joel Davis…First Announcer (voice)John Wilmot…Second Announcer (voice)Wilfred Alexander…Store Employee #1April Gordon…Store Employee #2Chris Angerdina…Police OfficerMichael Arnona…Police CaptainDewayne Bateman…CSI / ForensicJoseph Cintron…Police OfficerThomas C. Daniel…A ‘John’Sean Shyboy Davis…Cop #1Antonio Echeverria…Street GuyGeraldine Glenn…Family MemberRussell M. Haeuser…A ‘John’Victor Eli Hugo…Police OfficerTopher Jones…Undercover DetectiveTed Jordan…DetectiveRose Lamarche…Accident VictimRaymond Lapino…Patient in WheelcarTony Lawson…Bus PatronCynthia LeBlanc…Banquet GuestElton LeBlanc…Banquet GuestJessica Luebe…Club PatronBrandy Moon…Duffy’s WifeLorin Moore…Promotion ReporterJay Oliver…Casino GamblerKim Ormiston…Enticing ProstituteMisty Ormiston…Enticing ProstituteLyssa Prine…NurseAlex Revan…IversC. Stuart Rome…CSI AgentJaime San Andres…Officer LasseigneScott Schlueter…Undercover DetectiveChaz Smith…Street GuyLogan Douglas Smith…DetectiveTerry Lee Smith…Fallen Police OfficerAntoine Spillers…Bus PassengerCorey Stewart…Bar PatronSarah J. Thompson…Award Ceremony FamilyElizabeth Tranchant…Lieutenant’s WifeRiki Verdin…Masked ParaderDaniel Vincent…Police Ceremony AttendentMichael Wozniak…Undercover Officer

Sources: imdb & wikipedia

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[omniaadel91]

ترشيح اليوم

ترشيح اليوم لفيلم The Man Who Laughs

بيانات الفيلم:

اسم الفيلم: The Man Who Laughs

سنة الإنتاج: 1928

تأليف: عن قصة فيكتو هوجو، معالجة J. Grubb Alexander

إخراج: Paul Leni

بطولة: Conrad Veidt, Mary Philbin, Olga Baclanova

كعادة روايات فيكتور هوجو بنشوف التركيز على المهمشين أو أصحاب القلوب الطيبة والحظ السيء زي أحدب نوتردام والبؤساء وكمان الرجل الذي يضحك وهو ده فيلمنا النهارده،…

[hjfoley]

The Michigan Kid 1928

The Michigan Kid 1928

The Michigan Kid is a gambler in the backwoods of Alaska trying to make enough money to go back to his hometown and impress the girl he loves. His childhood rival for the girl happens to turn up at his casino, in trouble and doesn’t want his girl to find about it. You guessed it, the same girl! – Written by Trevor Hallatt Director: Irvin Willat Writers: J. Grubb Alexander (adaptation), Walter…

[davidosu87]

This title is one that I knew, but wasn't sure what it was about. I made it a Featured Review on Journey with a Cinephile: A Horror Movie Podcast as part of my Odyssey Through the Ones. It is an interesting movie starring John Barrymore as the titular character and this feels a lot like Phantom of the Opera. Has anyone else seen this one? What did you think?