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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Melancholy Dame remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, 'The Melancholy Dame.' Is it worth a look today? Probably not for everyone, let's be real. If you're into early cinema, especially silent films and the pioneering work of Black filmmakers, then absolutely, give it a shot. But if you're expecting modern thrills or even coherent sound, you'll probably just find yourself bored and reaching for the remote. It's a curiosity, mostly. 🧐
This little film, it’s all about that classic green-eyed monster. Webster Hill plays the nightclub owner, and you can practically see the dollar signs in his eyes when he watches his star singer, Roberta Hyson. His wife, played by the amazing Evelyn Preer, she’s not having any of it. You feel her simmering anger right from the start. 😠
Preer’s expressions, man, they really carry a lot here. One shot, she just *stares* at Hyson for what feels like an eternity. It’s not subtle, but it gets the point across. Hyson, as the singer, has this gentle vulnerability. You kinda feel bad for her, even before the scheming starts.
The way Hill, the husband, just… *nods* along, completely oblivious to his wife’s building rage? It’s a classic setup. You almost want to shake him, honestly.
The plotting, when it happens, is pretty straightforward. No grand, convoluted plans here. It’s just a quick, sharp idea, probably hatched over a very strong cup of coffee in a smoky room. You see Preer’s character *tap her fingers* on a bar table, a tiny gesture, but it screams 'I'm cooking something up.'
The intertitles, they’re interesting. Sometimes they just tell you what’s happening, plain and simple. Other times, they try to add a little dramatic flair, almost winking at the audience. It’s charming, in a way. ✨
The whole thing moves at a clip that feels both fast and slow. Fast because it’s a short film, obviously, but slow in how some scenes just *linger* a bit. Like that one close-up on a teacup, for no real reason. It’s just… there. ☕
The nightclub itself, it’s not a bustling metropolis. It feels cozy, almost intimate, which makes the drama feel even more personal, more suffocating. The crowd scenes have this oddly empty feeling, like half the extras wandered off for a snack break. It’s kinda funny.
There's this one extra in the background during a busy moment who keeps looking directly at the camera for a split second. You catch it if you're paying attention. A funny little blooper from way back when.
It makes you wonder about the audiences back then. Did they gasp? Did they cheer for Preer’s character, or boo her? Or were they just enjoying a night out at the picture show, munching on popcorn?
The way the singer, Roberta Hyson, adjusts her little sparkly headband after her performance – a tiny, natural gesture that somehow grounds her in the reality of the scene. It's a small detail, easy to miss.
Is it a masterpiece? Nah. But it’s a solid piece of early filmmaking, for sure. A good snapshot of melodrama from a bygone era. And *man*, Evelyn Preer really gives it her all. That’s the big takeaway. Her performance alone makes it worth digging up, if you’re into that sort of thing. 🎬
IMDb —
1929
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