Spring Fever

I wouldn't be lying if I told you that you shouldn't bother with a large amount of Joan Crawford's silent pictures. They're not //bad//, they're just unremarkable. Although it's a bit of a welcome shock to see her so young, especially if you're used to the Joan of the 1950s and 1960s. Even without sound, her eagerness and charm that she had in every role in this era shine though, and she's darn fun to watch! The story is better than usual, for a silent comedy (not dissing silent comedy).

William Haines is a poor guy who yearns to rise above his station. One day, when he is supposed to be working, he discovers that he can play golf, and his boss, who is nuts about golf but not exactly very good, urges him to spend his time at a swanky country club. While there, he is seen by the rich, and he beats the best golfer in the club, leading people to believe that he's very good. (He is very good). He also meets and tries to woo a rich socialite (Joan Crawford), with slapstick results. Seems like every comedy in the silent era had a large amount of slapstick, but I don't mind. Some of the intertitles are also quite funny (every time Haines flirts with Crawford, for example).

Haines and Crawford have good chemistry- they were friends in real life, and even though Haines was homosexual, he and Crawford make a believable couple. The sets are nice, and Crawford has a couple of pretty gowns that she wears. The story may be slight, and it's not exactly the funniest comedy any of these actors ever appeared in. This film was made before Joan Crawford became THE Joan Crawford, and so she hadn't been shuffled into any formula yet.

Haines and Crawford made another silent comedy called West Point, but haven't heard good reviews for that one, so might skip it. Sure, it's not amazing, but it's a fun watch.

If you like the two stars, check this one out right away.

Liked this? Try The Unknown (1927) or Our Dancing Daughters (1928) for better Crawford silents. Must find more William Haines flicks, he is an engaging screen presence and I think I like him. 👍

Off the top of my head, "Caddyshack" is the funniest movie where so much of the movie is about golf. "Caddyshack" it ain't, but it's a pretty good movie, although William Haines' movies of the time were pretty much formulaic. Haines' character, Jack Kelly, is a naturally talented golfer. His boss, Mr. Waters (George Fawcett - I wonder if Fawcett's last name was the reason for his character's name) is a golf nut - the movie opens with him making a hole-in-one. In reality, he's not a good golfer - at least it appears that way when he can't come close to the hole on the putting green in his study.

When Jack finally gets to work (after playing golf), his father (Bert Woodruff) tells Jack that Mr. Waters is looking for him and is very angry. Jack find Waters - as Waters stomps through the building, Jack is following him (Jack's making faces, imitating Waters, etc.). Pop Kelly accidentally knocks over a vase and Waters fires him on the spot. Jack hits something (it looked almost like a baseball) with a cane and knocks out a window. Waters is impressed with Jack's golfing ability (at least his ability to hit something with a cane and get it through a window) and asks Jack to help him with his swing. For helping Mr. Waters, Jack is given a 2-week membership at the exclusive Oakmont Country Club.

It's a Oakmont where Jack first sees Allie Monte (Joan Crawford). Jack reads Allie's signature when he checks in right after her and tries to act like they've met before. Possibly at Mary Brown's party? Jack says yes - Allie says she doesn't know a Mary Brown.

Out on the golf course, Jack tries to get as close as he can to Allie, which irritates some of the men at the club. By the time the 2 weeks are up, Jack beats the course record, and, true to the formula of Haines' movies, he becomes even more arrogant than before. His father came to get him - Jack seems mad that Pop ever showed up. Jack decides that he's going to quit his job, stay at Oakmont, and marry for money.

As per the Haines' formula, he gets knocked down a bit, and still comes out on top. There are a few twists and turns before ending on a happy note. Unfortunately, this film is somewhat damaged and that damage can be a bit distracting at points. It appears that this film might have been saved in the nick of time. This version has a 2008 copyright by Turner Entertainment Co. and a new score by Darrell Raby.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film which had far more drama than comedy although there were some funny scenes.

At its core, Spring Fever is a very believable romance. Watching a young Joan Crawford hone her skills was amazing. She steals scene after scene with her expressive eyes.

If you're interested in the silent era, this is a great movie to see.

William Haines (as Jack Kelly) is a shipping clerk, and an avid golfer; he is much more interested in the hobby than the livelihood. Mr. Haines' golfing prowess earns him a two week membership in the ritzy "Oakmont Country Club", where he meets fetching young Joan Crawford (as Allie Monte). Of course, Ms. Crawford assumes the dashing Haines is a well-heeled member of the "golf set". Will she still love him if she finds out he is poor?

Haines' wardrobe is remarkably ill fitting in the opening scenes; and, as a result, he rather badly tears the right sleeve of his jacket. It's quite noticeable after he enters the workplace, following the initial golfing scene. Also, watch for Haines to tap another man's derrière, very quickly, as he passes the man, after entering the shipping company.

Haines and Crawford are a great screen team; especially, their rapport is evident when he shows her how to improve her golf game - which develops into a courtship. But, overall, "Spring Fever" is fairly routine. There are a few witty title cards, and scenes. George K. Arthur (as Eustace Tewksbury) stands out among the fine supporting cast. Considering the situation and cast, the film is a letdown. It might have been improved by more directly involving Haines and Mr. Arthur in some more comic interplay (on the golf course).

**** Spring Fever (10/18/27) Edward Sedgwick ~ William Haines, Joan Crawford, George K. Arthur

Poor Jack Kelly (William Haines) is a lowly stock clerk--but a wonderful golfer. Through circumstances to inane to get into he gets into a posh country club, becomes a top golfer and acts like a rich man. He meets beautiful rich Allie Monte (Joan Crawford) and falls in love. However he can't marry her and will have to eventually return to his poor life. What to do?

To be truthful this picture is a yawner. The situations and characters are boringly predictable and the 2008 "restored" version is in utterly dreadful shape. Lousy music score too. But this is one of the few chances to see Haines and Crawford together. Haines was the top box office draw of the late 1920s. He was tall, VERY handsome and a good actor. Crawford was very young, beautiful and also a good actor. Her and Haines were best friends. Haines career was destroyed due to homophobia--he refused to dump his male lover and was fired. But Crawford and him remained life long friends and you can see here how they really clicked together and worked well. They both play opposite each other easily and their good looks and acting carry them through. The film is seriously one big snooze--but worth catching for Haines and Crawford. I give it a 6.