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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Alright, so 'Courage' from 1930. If you’re really into old-school melodrama, the kind where everyone's got big problems and even bigger feelings, then you might actually find something here. It’s a *very* period piece, obviously. But if you’re looking for modern pacing or subtle performances, well, this is probably not for you. Prepare for a different kind of movie, one that definitely isn’t for folks who get bored easily with slower, more theatrical storytelling. 😬
Belle Bennett plays Mary Colbrook, the widowed mother of seven kids, trying to keep her family afloat. She’s got this determined, almost *stubborn* look for most of the film. You can really tell she means business, even when her actual business decisions seem to be, let's say, less than ideal. 😅
Her oldest daughter, Muriel, played by Charlotte Henry, gets herself into a real mess. She's engaged to Lynn Willard, who just kinda *exists* in the background, mostly. Then there’s Rudlin, the banker. The plot tells us he has a 'bad reputation,' but honestly, on screen, he just seems like a regular guy who happens to have some money. It's almost funny how the movie insists he’s shady, but he’s just… polite?
Muriel, in a fit of dramatic self-sacrifice, decides she'll give herself to Rudlin to clear the family's debt. It's played with such earnestness, like a true stage performance. You gotta wonder if anyone watching in 1930 thought that was a *sensible* plan. 🤔
Then Mary’s sister-in-law, Caroline, shows up. Blanche Friderici plays her with this wonderfully cold, scheming vibe. She starts whispering in the children's ears, turning most of them against their mother. This felt a little fast, honestly. One minute they're a family, the next, most are giving mom the full silent treatment.
Except for young Bill, played by Leon Janney. He stays loyal, a little beacon of light. And then, out of nowhere, he just *inherits a fortune* from a neighboring spinster, Miss Crosby. What a convenient turn of events! Or, maybe just a very direct way to move the plot along. You know, old movies. 🤷♀️
The acting style is very much 'of the era,' big gestures and clear, almost projected dialogue. It’s like watching a play where everyone is slightly overacting for the cheap seats. Which, for an early talkie, totally makes sense. The sound recording technology was still finding its feet, so you had to really *perform* for the mic.
There are these small moments. Like when Mary arrives with money from Rudlin, and everyone just kinda takes it without asking *too* many questions about where it came from. Or how Muriel’s fiancé, Lynn, seems utterly oblivious to the depth of the family's despair until it's practically slapping him in the face.
The whole arc with Mary discovering 'noble qualities' in Rudlin happens pretty quick. It's a nice sentiment, but it feels less like organic character development and more like the script just needed a resolution. And a happy ending for Mary, because hey, she deserved it after all that. ❤️
So, is it good? It’s *interesting*. As a historical piece, it gives you a real feel for early Hollywood melodrama. It's got heart, even if it’s a little clunky by today’s standards. You won’t be on the edge of your seat, but you might raise an eyebrow a few times at some of the choices the characters make. It’s certainly got more 'stuff' happening than, say, A Pool of Peaches, which is mostly just a title. 😉
It’s a curious watch for those who appreciate the quirks of cinema's past. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece, but do expect a widow who just won't quit, even when everything around her is falling apart. And a kid who suddenly becomes rich. Because why not?
IMDb 6.6
1925
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