Komödie einer Liebe

I was very surprised when I watched this film that it was by director D. W. Griffith, as in places the direction looked very modern--much more than I had seen in many of his previous films. In particular, at the beginning, there are some very creative sweeping shots and camera tricks. They are also quite apparent towards the end of the film. Plus, even though this is at heart a morality tale, it seemed so much less histrionic and preachy than other Griffith films I've seen. For 1928, the film was well-done and quite watchable.

Jean Hersholt is a rich industrialist and Phyllis Haver decides when she first sees him that she MUST have him--not out of any love at all, but because she is a "gold digger". Despite his being a rather ordinary looking older man and being happily married, Ms. Haver throws her energies into snagging the guy. This actually leads to a cute scene where she is trying to think up how she will introduce herself to him--it doesn't go at all like she planned, but it does indeed work! And, disappointingly, Hersholt is at heart a dope and he falls for her routine without question. In the meantime, his family doesn't suspect until they accidentally catch him with the bimbo when he is supposed to be working late! Where exactly the movie goes next and all the little details I'll leave for you to discover. However, the movie is a breezy and interesting little film worth seeing if you like silent cinema. The Kino Video version features excellent music and an excellent quality print.

PS--Although she's not listed in the credits and the IMDb database does NOT confirm it, it looks as if Joan Blondell is one of the extras in the nightclub scene. If it's not her, it's a dead-ringer!

PPS--According to IMDb, Phyllis Haver retired from movies a short time after making this film, as she married a millionaire and stopped working! Now THAT'S irony!

"The Battle Of The Sexes" (1928) starts out as an airy comedy, but soon wallows into melodrama. Although it is "personally directed" by .D. W Griffith, perhaps the most important pioneer of the cinematic art in the 1910s, it has little to offer in terms of visual innovation. In fact, there is literally only ONE great camera shot: simulating a jump from a high-rise bulding. Other than that, the film is tame in its "risquè" content, and extremely predictable; several sequences run too long. Perhaps the one thing of note is how Griffth makes the daughter of the family (Sally O' Neil) the strong, feisty character while the son is completely unimportant. ** out of 4.

Gold-digging Phyllis Haver (as Marie Skinner) seduces New York real estate tycoon Jean Hersholt (as William Judson), breaking up his happy marriage. After Mr. Hersholt's wife falls into a deep depression, cute and perky daughter Sally O'Neil (as Ruth) takes a gun to shoot Ms. Haver, whom the family has seen out dancing with Hersholt. Then, Ms. O'Neil finds herself prey to handsome jazz hound Don Alvarado (as Babe Winsor), who also serves as Haver's lover.

This curious film was director D.W. Griffith's re-make of his much imitated 1914 hit (presently, a "lost" film). "The Battle of the Sexes" is curious because it's rather well done, and from a period when Mr. Griffith is recalled to have been in sad decline. The film received some good notices, was a box office success, and featured some innovative work from Griffith plus cameramen Karl Struss and Billy Bitzer. Watch for a "fight" scene with Haver hurling objects at Hersholt, then dejected wife Belle Bennett's perilous walk on the couple's rooftop.

Restored in 2000, the film boasts a lively new score, compiled by Rodney Sauer and Susan Hall. The small orchestral soundtrack is excellent, and can be enjoyed on its own; but, it doesn't really match the original. "The Battle of the Sexes" has the look of a film shown with synchronized sound effects (a silent/sound hybrid, favoring the former). The original music and effects are missed. It looks like a couple of scenes went with it - there had to have been an additional encounter between O'Neil and Mr. Alvarado, and a reason why he and Hersholt arrive at Haver's with the same new hat.

If only the waiter who returned with Hersholt's "Reserved" sign could as easily bring back missing film footage...

******** The Battle of the Sexes (10/12/28) D.W. Griffith ~ Jean Hersholt, Phyllis Haver, Sally O'Neil, Don Alvarado

Battle of the Sexes, The (1928)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

D.W. Griffith film about an older, rich man (Jean Hersholt) who leaves his wife and two kids when he meets a young, beautiful blonde (Phyllis Haver). The man thinks this younger woman loves him but she's actually just a gold digger. Having been accused of not being able to connect with modern crowds, Griffith made this light weight film but the change of direction really didn't help his career any. Movie crowds, while small, enjoyed the film but the critics gave this the worst reviews of his career up to this point. I think time has been fairly kind to the film, which has some wonderful stuff but sadly the story is just way too predictable, even by 1928 standards. The direction is tight throughout and the performances are all very good. Hersholt is terrific as the dumb old man, Haver plays the gold digger perfectly but it's Sally O'Neil who steals the show of the man's daughter. The highlight of the film is a wonderful scene taking place on a dance floor. The film has a strange mix of comedy and drama that really don't mix well but it's nice seeing Griffith doing a film in modern settings.

This late jazz age comic morality tale directed by D. W. Griffith is surprisingly good--and its relative sophistication will be a surprise to those who are familiar with Griffith via the standard films such as "The Birth of a Nation," "Intolerance," "Way Down East," or even "Broken Blossoms." This film feels much more modern and far less overtly moralizing than those earlier films, though its 1920s "feel" is a part of its appeal for contemporary viewers.

The new DVD is well scored with period music cues that evoke a consistent, slightly melancholy mood as Jean Hersholt (better known as the villain of "Greed") is thrown into his midlife crisis by gold digger Phyllis Haver. His family is convincingly shown in turmoil--and eventually acts to rescue Hersholt's character from his folly. The film is well structured and altogether charming.