16mm FEATURE FILM THE MIGHTY 29 PRE-CODE CLASSIC MOVIE Start Price USD 295.00 Current Price USD 295.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 End Time Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Location Long Beach, California See more about '16mm FEATURE FILM THE MIGHTY 29 PRE-CODE CLASSIC MOVIE' Description This is an EXCELLENT condition, vintage ORIGINAL 16mm, B&W sound movie print of the entertaining pre-code 1929 talkie feature length motion picture classic titled... "THE MIGHTY" Director: John Cromwell In this war-drama set during WW I, a gangster joins the army and is promoted to major. He then returns from war torn Europe to tell a family that their beloved son had died in his arms during a battle. The major then falls in love with the late soldier's sister and decides to accept a position in town as the new police commissioner. CAST: George Bancroft - Blake Greeson Esther Ralston - Louise Patterson Warner Oland - "Shiv" Sterky Raymond Hatton - Dogey Franks Dorothy Revier - MaymeNEW YORK TIMES Review By MORDAUNT HALL. Published: December 30, 1929 George Bancroft's current talking film, "The Mighty,'" may be a highly improbable adventure, but it is a far more welcome affair than his previous production, "Thunderbolt," in which he laughed his way from the death cell to the electric chair. In this new picture Mr. Bancroft is a trifle more human and the story never reaches the depths of absurdity of "Thunderbolt." In "The Mighty" Mr. Bancroft figures as a valiant gangster named Blake Greeson, who after being forced into the draft for war, wins decorations and a captaincy. On the fighting front he berates a young Lieutenant for showing the white feather and virtually argues that gunmen make good soldiers. His deep voice adds to the characterization, but it looks throughout this yarn as though Mr. Bancroft was catering to his public. John Cromwell, who directed this film, denotes time lapses by dark pauses on the screen, which is all very well, but occasionally one would like to see something of what goes on during some of these "black-outs." The narrative becomes too episodical and therefore the drama is none too keen. Mr. Cromwell also permits events to take place without giving time enough for suspense. He also caused wonder as to why one person encounters difficulty in getting through a police line, while another apparently without any more reason than the other, reaches the spot with astounding ease. Blake Greeson, burglar and gangster, but a hero in France, returns to a town where he is welcomed by the citizenry and a brass band. They ask him to be their police chief and he consents. It seems then that the community must be one of Main Street variety, but soon the place turns out to be a metropolis, whether Chicago, Los Angeles or even New York, it is not certain. At any rate the town seems to grow in the mind of the director, and all honest persons, except Louise Patterson, are unaware of Blake Greeson's black past. A lot of fuss is made about Blake as police chief not wishing to be a traitor to his old pals. William Slavens McNutt and Grover Jones have, however, contributed some excellent dialogue and in which there are good argumentative points on Blake's feelings. Miss Patterson, who has heard about Blake's gunman and his heroic exploits from her brother, the young Lieutenant whom Blake took under his wing and who died in a shellhole, has the temerity to refer to George Washington as she urges Police Chief Greeson to fight for what's right. Blake's old gang, whether he as police chief winks at it or not, decide to rob a bank or two while the police parade is holding forth. Blake is told about it and he gives chase to the gangsters after they have escaped with the loot. Blake may be bloody and exhausted and his head may be literally bowed, but he is still there in the end, quite eager to receive Miss Patterson's congratulations. It is in line at the close of the proceedings that Miss Patterson will become Mrs. Blake Greeson, wife of an ex-gunman and war hero. When in the beginning Blake is tapped on the shoulder by a sergeant and told that he is under arrest for being a slacker, Blake like a Fairbanks musketeer, hurls the soldiers about, until one imagines that it will take at least twenty of them to apprehend the big man. The director, however, compromises on having the tussle and then depicting Blake being led away by the khaki-clad men. Mr. Bancroft is a trifle too heroic in this production. He speaks his lines as if he were talking to the audience rather than to the characters. This portrayer of villainy, who gave his best portrayal in James Cruze's film. "The Pony Express," takes himself very seriously now. Even his laugh is a serious matter. Esther Ralston does fairly well as the attractive heroine. Warner Oland is, as usual competent as a gang leader and Raymond Hatton rather overacts the part of a well-cocained crook. Dorothy Revier has the theatric part of a gangster's girl, who wears loud clothes, but who hardly even attracts the attention of the person she's addressing. This RARE B&W DUPONT ORIGINAL print is mounted on two 1600 foot reels... ready to project! There is no vinegar smell or warping! The image shown is not from the actual print.The buyer pays the cost of S&H. With 10,300+ Positive Ebay Feedbacks, You may bid with confidence. We accept Money Orders, Checks, and PayPal. Most films ship via USPS Media mail within the USA. This service can sometimes take up to 20 business days for delivery. We will send via Priority mail for an extra charge at your request. If you want insurance, you must pay for it as we are not responsible for any loss or damage without it. We mail WORLDWIDE and can ship this feature film off reels and on plastic cores for only $40 to most countries... $26 to Canada or Mexico! Please check out my cool ebaY store...click here for MORE movies ONLY listed thereand great film supplies! You can combine shipping on multiple purchases and save! Place a Bid!