Wonderland Burlesque's Let's Go To The Movies: Face Time - Part XI

Wonderland Burlesque's

Let's Go To The Movies: 

Face Time

Part XI

That look, that face...

It's all in the face. It can be read like a book. Or so these films would have us believe. 

The silver screen has been home to so many beautiful (and not-so-beautiful) faces, lighting up the dark, showing us the way, sharing celluloid dreams. It seems only fitting that we take them at their word and look a these films one face at a time.

Yes, these faces may belong to a bygone era, but in the movies?

A face lives forever.

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The Face in the Moonlight

(1915)

During the latter part of the reign of Louis XVIII, in France, Ambrose, an aristocrat, loves Jeanne Mailloche, a peasant girl, but is compelled to marry his cousin, Alice de Fontelles, to preserve their respective estates. Jeanne dies soon after, leaving a son, who is kidnapped and raised by a band of ruffians. Alice's son, receiving every advantage, is raised as an aristocrat. Twenty years later, at the time Napoleon was in exile, the young aristocrat, Victor by name, becomes a captain in the King's army. His half-brother, Rabat, son of Jeanne, has degenerated into a criminal, with a price on his head. Strangely enough, they look exactly alike, though neither knows of the whereabouts of the other. In fact, Rabat is ignorant of Victor's existence. The young Captain is told of Rabat's existence by his father when the latter is on his death bed. Victor is engaged to Lucille, the niece of Munier, who is Victor's father's secretary. Munier becomes associated with the conspirators, who are seeking to place Napoleon on the throne of France. In Munier's endeavor to steal the funds of the conspirators, he becomes associated with Rabat, the criminal. Victor is called to the army, and arranges with Lucile for their final adieu at the diligence office. Being unaware of the existence of Rabat. Lucile believes her lover guilty of the murder which she sees Rabat commit at the meeting place appointed by Victor. Rabat's face in the moonlight almost causes Lucile to abandon all faith in Victor. Victor is arrested for the murder, but before his execution, Lucile learns the truth concerning Rabat and forces her uncle, who has acknowledged his connection with the murder committed by Rabat, to intercede. This stays Victor's execution as a murderer, but Napoleon has returned to power. Victor is arrested as a political prisoner, and ordered to be shot. Victor's release as the murderer has caused the arrest of Rabat for that offense. He is to be beheaded. Both Rabat and Victor's executions are scheduled for the same day. Lucile, knowing of her uncle's part in the actual murder, forces him to intercede with Napoleon, thus saving the life of Victor. Later, Victor meets Rabat, his half-brother, for the first time, and inspires him with the necessary confidence to face his death. Munier escapes from the country and with Napoleon's pardon for his political offenses, Victor and Lucile are happily married.

This American silent historical drama was directed by Albert Capellani and stars Robert Warwick, Stella Archer, and H. Cooper Cliffe.

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The Face At Your Window

(1920)

Hiram Maxwell and Nicholas Harding, both factory owners, exhibit two different philosophies of management: Maxwell is sympathetic to his employees while Harding remains blind to the needs of his workers. Maxwell's son Frank is engaged to Harding's daughter Ethel but fancies Ruth Kravo, a Russian immigrant who also works at the factory. While leaving the factory one night, Frank is stabbed in the back, and Ruth is arrested although her jealous labor agitator, admirer Ivan Koyloff is the more likely suspect. Released on lack of evidence, Ruth becomes a secret agent, spying on her fellow Russians. One day a stranger, Comrade Kelvin, comes to town and secretly organizes the workers, preparing them to strike. The employers, fearing trouble, meet and decide to cooperate with the men. Harding reneges on his promises, however, and the next morning issues an order for longer hours and no wage increase. This precipitates a revolt among the workers, and the American Legion is called to establish peace. Frank calms the mob with a patriotic speech, and one of the labor leaders steps forth and offers his hand, while Frank extends his other hand to Ruth. Oh, and the KKK. 

This American silent melodrama was directed by Richard Stanton and stars Gina Relly, Earl Metcalfe, Edward Roseman. Boris Rosenthal, Walter McEwen and Diana Allen.

This film is lost. According to the American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, there are no known holdings located in archives.

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Face In The Sky

(1933)

Sign painters Joe and Lucky travel around New England looking for jobs. After Joe uses Madge as a model for one of their billboards, she hides in their wagon. The painters are about to be charged with kidnapping until she promises to marry Joe. In New York he attempts to paint a huge billboard that has stopped others before him.

This American pre-Code comedy was directed by Harry Lachman and stars Spencer Tracy, Marian Nixon, and Stuart Erwin.

 

Shown on a double-bill with Divorce a la Mode (1932) in some theaters during its original release.

Marian Nixon

Marian Nixon was an American film actress who appeared in more than 70 films, beginning in 1923. She easily made the transition to talkies and appeared opposite Al Jolson, James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, and Ralph Bellamy. In 1934, Nixon attempted to change her wholesome image with a role in the comedy We’re Rich Again. The film was not a success and, after appearing in eight more films, Nixon retired from acting in 1936, at the age of 32. She married four times and had three children.

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The Face At The Window

(1939)

In 1880, the criminal called 'The Face' is responsible for a murderous rampage in France. When the Brisson Bank is robbed in Paris and the employee Michelle is murdered, the wealthy Chevalier Lucio del Gardo is the only chance to save the bank. Chevalier proposes to the owner M. de Brisson to deposit a large amount of gold, but in return he would like to marry his daughter Cecile. However, Cecile is in love with the efficient clerk Lucien Cortier who belongs to the lower classes and refuses the engagement. In order to get rid off the rival, Chevalier uses evidences to incriminate Lucien, manipulating the incompetent Parisian chief of police.

An adaptation of the 1897 stage melodrama by F. Brooke Warren, this British horror film was directed by George King and stars Tod Slaughter, Marjorie Taylor, and John Warwick.

This story was previously filmed three times: The Face at the Window (1919), The Face at the Window (1920), and The Face at the Window (1932).

Film Weekly called the film "a vintage thriller, put over in the right, rich spirit of years ago".

Shown on a double-bill with Torso Murder Mystery (1939) starring Bruce Cabot.

You can watch this film in its entirety for free on YouTube.

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Face To The Wind

(1950)

AKA: Plus de vacances pour le Bon Dieu

Montmartre in the summertime. A group of street urchins idles outside while the other kids of the neighborhood are away on holiday. To keep the gang busy, Pivolo, their leader, has an idea : they are going to kidnap Aunt Faguet's dog - just for the fun of it. A few days pass after the crime is accomplished and one of them suddenly realizes that a reward is being offered by the aunt to anyone who would bring her her pet back. Mademoiselle Hélène, the kind-hearted social worker, does it for them and gives them the reward money, which is instantly exchanged for lollipops, nougat and merry-go-round and cinema tickets. So, why not continue? That's what they do, abducting several dogs, until they realize they are becoming too rich! They can't buy themselves luxurious gifts or else their parents are bound to suspect something. Instead, they decide to do good by helping poor people around them. One day, Pierrot, a member of the gang, gets run down by a cyclist and becomes blind. Only a costly operation can heal him. Well, the solution is obvious : increase their illegal activities. But the police are beginning to get suspicious.

This children's comedy/drama was directed by Robert Vernay and stars Pierre Larquey, Roland Armontel, and Laurence Aubray.

Although meant for a young public, this film was banned for viewers under 16 by the Ministry of Information. A referendum was organized to ask the viewers' advice. 85% voted against the prohibition.

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And that's all for now, folks!

Tune in next time...

Same place, same channel.

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The Face At The Window - Trailer

(1939)