SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Antonius Block Religious hypocrisy is the main theme of 'Sadie Thompson', based on a short story by W. Somerset Maugham. Sharing the same hotel in Pago Pago, a religious reformer (Lionel Barrymore) takes a dim view of a 'loose' woman (Gloria Swanson), and after failing to get her to change her ways, lobbies the local governor to get her shipped back to San Francisco. I liked this version a bit better than the 1932 version with Walter Huston and Joan Crawford because Barrymore is so brilliant, so harshly upright but at the same time, hinting at a demonic side as he glowers away. Despite the movie being silent, director Raoul Walsh (who also plays Swanson's love interest) delivers a couple of compelling scenes with Barrymore trying to exert his will, Swanson resisting, and the rain coming down, unrelenting. Swanson also lets loose with her anger, and in one funny moment it's obvious she's cursed a blue streak, as the ladies around her cover their ears and scamper off. 1928 was the first year for the Oscars and Swanson would be nominated for her performance. I admire her for it, but admire her more for producing the movie despite pressure because of its content, and considered a slightly higher rating.The film itself is not in that great a shape, and while the last couple of minutes are mostly gone forever, we're fortunate that Dennis Doros restored it as best possible mostly with carefully selected stills. Watching this one has you clearly thinking you're getting a window into the past, but at the same time, aren't these themes of religious overreach still so prevalent today? Thank you Gloria Swanson.

cricket crockett . . . is tweaked slightly to a wolf in shepherd's duds for SADIE THOMPSON. An hour and a half of discordant, foreboding music belies the almost-everyone-lives-happily-ever-after ending eventually in store here. Water seeks its own level, and cute chicks such as Clara Bow's "Betty Lou" character in IT a year before SADIE THOMPSON almost always marry rich, handsome dudes without too much trouble (unless their Nude Selfies are hacked down from the Cloud before the wedding bells ring). Those less physically gifted females such as Bette Davis, Drew Barrymore, and Gloria Swanson as SADIE THOMPSON here still can achieve plausibility on screen (or off-screen, if not actresses) as mercenary schemers willing to make a quick buck the old-fashioned way rather than waiting forever on a "Mrs. Degree" falling into their laps. SADIE THOMPSON illustrates how "Good Moral Character" might sound nice to some, but be a luxury that the "Plain Jane" cannot afford. Don't forget that JANE EYRE could not land Mr. Rochester until he was legally blind. SADIE THOMPSON proves that if a proverbial "Whited Sepulcher" is harassing you with a holier-than-thou act, letting it brush up against you is the quickest way to get on with Real Life.

rdjeffers Monday March 15, 7pm, The Paramount, Seattle"I guess I'm sorry for everybody in the world - Life is a quaint present from somebody."A struggle between tolerance and zealotry takes place in a south-seas backwater when a religious fanatic, bent on her conversion confronts a woman attempting to hide her identity. Sadie Thompson (Gloria Swanson) languishes in a seedy hotel with the local detachment of bored marines as her only entertainment. The tropical rains fall and Sadie's fellow steamship passengers pass the time, while Alfred Davidson (Lionel Barrymore) determines to alter the social climate.At the twilight of Hollywood's silent era and the zenith of Swanson's stardom, she chose Somerset Maugham's immensely popular short-story as her ultimate vehicle. Directed by and co-starring Raoul Walsh, filmed by legendary cinematographer George Barnes, with art direction by the great William Cameron Menzies, Sadie Thompson is an overlooked masterpiece. Barrymore's malevolent sneering was never better. Aside from being lost in the wake of Hollywood's greatest year, the greatest tragedy of this film is the missing final reel.

David Atfield What a performance - Swanson bursts out of the screen, as Somerset Maugham's prostitute heroine trapped on a tropical island with a crusading parson and a sexy sergeant. And Lionel Barrymore as the parson and the director Raoul Walsh as the sergeant are her match. This is silent acting at its best.Yes the piece is a little stagey and the action too confined for a silent picture, but when the photography is as brilliant as it is here - who cares? It deservedly won the first ever Oscar for cinematography.This is a passionate and beautiful production. What a tragedy that the last few minutes have been lost. They have been reconstructed using titles and stills - but how I would have loved to have seen the scene when Barrymore rapes Swanson. It must have been breathtaking. Don't miss this film.