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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The She-Wolf remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so The She-Wolf from 1931. If you're someone who genuinely enjoys digging into those really, truly old movies, and you appreciate a strong, no-nonsense female lead from way back when, you'll probably find this a fascinating watch. For anyone expecting modern pacing or a typical 'feel-good' story, well, you should probably just skip it. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, or those who dislike a good old-fashioned villainess.
The whole thing centers on Harriet Breen, a financier who’s just… _ruthless_. She’s trying to corner the market on railroads, or something like that, and there's a rival guy she needs to outmaneuver. It’s pretty simple stuff on paper, but the execution, particularly with May Robson in the lead, makes it something else entirely.
May Robson, she just _owns_ every single frame she's in. You've seen her in other old films, usually as a sweet grandma, but here? Oh boy. She plays Harriet Breen with such a fierce intensity, it's almost startling. Her eyes, they just gleam with ambition, like she's always five steps ahead of everyone else in the room.
There's this one scene where she's dictating letters, just rattling off commands and demands without a blink. The speed and certainty in her voice, it's pretty impressive. You feel like her secretary is just struggling to keep up, probably terrified of her, too. It’s not just about the words; it’s the _attitude_ behind them.
The film, being pre-Code, really leans into Harriet’s unapologetic nature. She doesn’t care about being liked, not one bit. She manipulates people, including her own niece and a young suitor, to get what she wants. It's refreshing, in a strange way, to see such an unvarnished, almost villainous female character from this era. No apologies, no softening. 🐺
The other characters, bless their hearts, they mostly just revolve around her. They’re either trying to impress her, escape her clutches, or just generally look stunned by her audacity. The young love story subplot involving Frances Dade and Lawrence Gray feels a bit flimsy next to Robson's powerhouse performance. It's almost an afterthought.
Pacing-wise, it’s a quick one, just over an hour. The story moves, not necessarily with modern speed, but it doesn't drag either. There’s a certain clip to the dialogue, especially when Robson is on a roll. You can tell they were trying to keep things snappy.
One moment that sticks with me: Harriet Breen is sitting in her lavish office, almost like a spider in her web. She’s got this big, imposing desk, and everything about her posture just screams 'I'm in charge here.' She barely moves, but her presence fills the entire screen. It's _all_ in the acting, really.
The production design, for 1931, is actually quite good. Those big, grand sets for the offices and mansions, they look pretty convincing. It all adds to the feeling of these high-stakes financial dealings, even if the actual business jargon goes over your head sometimes. 🎩
What I mean is, this isn't just some dusty old artifact. It’s a chance to see a fantastic, genuinely _fierce_ performance from an actress who, at the time, was already in her 70s. She really goes for it, embodying this formidable character with such conviction. You can almost feel the movie trying to keep up with her energy.
So, yeah. If you're a fan of old Hollywood, particularly the pre-Code era, and want to see a woman absolutely dominate the screen without a shred of conventional morality, then The She-Wolf is worth tracking down. It's a testament to May Robson's range and a fun, if slightly unnerving, peek into a bygone cinematic time.
IMDb —
1921
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