|
LILIOM (1930) Charles Farrell, Rose Hobart, H. B. Warner, Estelle Taylor, Lee Tracy, Walther Abel. What a wonderful film this is. Farrell plays Liliom, a merry-go-round barker at an old-time European amusement park. He finds himself torn between the affections of his hardnosed (but beautiful) carnival boss; and a sweet, pretty servant girl, played by Hobart. When Hobart becomes pregnant, Farrell falls in with a wily thief played by Tracy. Together, they plan a payroll robbery so that Liliom can move to America with Hobart and start a new life together. But when the robbery goes south, Farrell loses his life and finds himself aboard an incredible train into the afterlife. In charge of the train is the chief magistrate, H. B. Warner, who gives him a second chance at life. Going back to Earth, and in an unforgettable scene, Liliom meets his destiny. This is a beautifully mounted film with amazing performances and character development—especially for an early talkie. The special effects in the last half of the film are a knockout. Wow… Tracy gives the performance of his life as the wily thief. From 35mm.
|
|
