Norma Shearer Lady of The Night

It’s been a long day and I am afraid it’s a long post today. But I just had to tell you about this movie. Monta Bell’s, Lady of the Night (1925)… I gotta admit I am very selective when it comes to silent movies. Just the shear mention of silent movies sends shivers down many backs. But I confess I like quite a few of these movies. The other night I watched what I think will go down on my silent movie annals as one of the greatest I’ve seen to date.

I recommended this film a few days ago. Did any one see it? Two women both played superbly by Norma Shearer are in love with the same man. Molly (Norma Shearer) has grown up on the wrong side of the tracks. She is rough around the edges, but has a heart of gold. Her boyfriend Chunky (George K. Arthur) is madly in love with her. But Molly has set her eyes on Chunky’s friend, David (Malcolm McGregor) who happens to be an inventor. David is looking to have his invention patented and sold. Chunky tries to convince David to sell it to gangsters…he can get $50,000 for it! Gee, that’s good money even today… Molly objects to this and instead she boosts David’s self-confidence, and encourages him to pursue his fortune ethically.

Eventually his inventions lead him to a wealthy businessman’s home. Here he meets the businessman’s daughter Florence (also Norma Shearer). As David spends more time with Florence and the “rich and famous,” they fall in love. In a scene where Molly confronts Florence, done with split screen special effects, (and Joan Crawford as double) you can just feel Molly’s desperation. Although Florence was her rival in a strange way she was very much a part of her. After this meeting Molly realizes she’s lost this one. She adores David, but he loves Florence. David can have a better life with Florence. She gallantly relinquishes her claim on him.

What I liked best about this movie is the great attention to detail. The movie begins in a poor setting in which Molly is born the same day her father is to be arrested. Mother is holding baby and father is handcuffed; the baby’s hands touch the chains of the handcuffs as if comforting her father. In another scene the father is driven off to jail, two children jumped on the back of the car as if it were playtime. It is the scene of an impoverished city neighborhood or street. A couple of city kids going about their playing oblivious to their surrounding. There were other details, and metaphors that were entrancing.

Norma Shearer convincingly played both roles. One is able to see Molly as transparent, poor, unrefined, and cheap looking. Meanwhile Florence is seen as debonair, suave, and polished. You got the feel that neither of these women was bad, one wasn’t better the other. But only one would get David, and it bothered me some that Molly didn’t. Molly is the unsung hero. If you haven’t seen it, rent it or buy it. And no, it’s not just a “chick flick.”