Lightning reviews are first impressions of movies I’ve yet to research for more detailed articles. Unlike my more polished full reviews there is little to no research here; sparse images and links; a more relaxed writing style. These are movies I’d love to eventually cover with a more fully developed article, but until time permits, here’s the short version:Recorded this one off of TCM and watched it over the weekend … thought Ann Harding gave a beautiful, realistic performance, as always … she’s like Norma Shearer, only I like Ann Harding … quiet emotional intensity trumps the more unrestrained kind in my book … like that the movie didn’t need to have Harding and Edward Van Sloan, who played her father, reunite in some emotionally cathartic movie moment … even better, they never share a scene … also glad to see Helen Vinson playing the part I expected her to be playing … pretty neat to see Creighton Chaney (Lon Jr.) in such an early role, but where’d he go? … while writing about The Patent Leather Kid I thought I’d never seen Molly O’Day before … while that may be true, now I’ve seen her in this, as tough-talking Sadie … while I wouldn’t call her “skinny,” the old magazine articles had me prepared for someone with a major weight problem … not so … she could have easily continued in parts of this type … movie also featured John Boles as leading man and Sara Haden in a small supporting role … directed by Alfred Santell, who also did—The Patent Leather Kid … my IMDb rating: 7/10.
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