DbcultAccessing Vault...
Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
So, Women Go on Forever? Look, if you’re into those wild, forgotten melodramas from way back when movies weren't afraid to just go for it, then yeah, this one’s absolutely worth digging up. It’s a trip. But if you need polished dialogue, subtle acting, or a plot that makes perfect sense, you'll probably just scratch your head. This isn't for the faint of heart, or anyone expecting a quiet evening. It's a lot.
The movie kicks off feeling kinda cozy, you know? Just a boarding house run by Daisy, played by Clara Kimball Young, who’s got this weary but kind vibe. Then Jake, Paul Page, shows up. He’s smooth, charming, and Daisy falls for him quick. Everything feels... normal for about five minutes. Then it just 💥 explodes.
One minute, we’re watching Betty (Marian Nixon), a shopgirl, and her taxi-driver sweetheart Eddie (Maurice Murphy), all sweet and hopeful. The next, Eddie’s getting framed for murder by a gangster named Morgan Wallace, whose character doesn’t even get a proper name in the credits, just "Gangster." He’s a real piece of work. Eddie goes to jail, and Betty, bless her heart, thinks he just left her. The whole misunderstanding thing here is just classic old movie drama, right? You almost want to yell at the screen.
But that’s just the start. Jake, who seemed so decent, suddenly turns into this absolute creep. He makes a move on Betty, which, of course, makes Daisy furious. Their argument escalates, and Jake actually tries to strangle Daisy. 😱 It’s one of those moments that really pulls you up short. Like, wait, what?
Then, out of nowhere, Daisy’s young, blind son, Junior, grabs a gun and shoots Jake. A blind kid. It’s so jarring, so sudden, and yet the movie just barrels past it like it’s another Tuesday. I had to pause for a second, honestly.
Then we get Pete, another gangster, played by Maurice Black. He’s got this sleazy charm, if you can call it that. He gets Betty drunk, tries to take advantage. And when Daisy tries to intervene, he pulls the "I know who killed Jake" card. The stakes just keep getting higher, and you’re just left wondering how Daisy’s even still standing. She’s the true MVP, trying to hold her little world together as it crumbles around her.
Eddie finally gets out of jail, and the poor guy walks in to find Betty in that situation. His face, man. You feel for him. He’s been through hell, and then this. It’s like the universe is just piling on. You almost wonder if they’ll ever actually catch a break.
The ending is a whirlwind. Jake’s brother shows up, looking for revenge. Daisy, with her quick thinking – or maybe just desperation – points him at Pete. And then it’s just a chaotic shootout where everyone seems to be getting shot. The sheer body count in the last five minutes is wild. Pete goes down, then Jake’s brother, who also gets a bullet. It’s like the movie just decided to clean house and then poof, everything’s fine, Eddie and Betty can be together. It’s a very neat ending after such an un-neat journey.
What really sticks with you is just how relentless the plot is. It doesn't waste a second. No quiet moments for reflection. It’s like a really intense stage play where everyone's constantly on the verge of a breakdown. The way Daisy’s son, Junior, just kind of exists in the background, then suddenly becomes the pivotal character in a pivotal moment, it’s just… something else. You almost forget he’s blind for a moment, then remember, and it just adds another layer of bizarre.
The acting, too, has this old-school intensity. Clara Kimball Young as Daisy, she carries so much. You see her trying to be strong, then just utterly defeated, then strong again. She’s the anchor in this storm. And Marian Nixon as Betty, you feel her confusion, her vulnerability. She’s definitely the one you root for to just get a break.
This film, it’s a peek into a very different era of storytelling. They weren't afraid of pushing boundaries, even if those boundaries led to some truly bonkers plot points. It's not a masterclass in subtlety, that's for sure. But it is undeniably entertaining if you let yourself go along for the ride. It’s a testament to how much drama you can cram into one little boarding house. And honestly, it’s a good reminder that sometimes, the best movies are the ones that are a little messy, a little too much, but never, ever boring. Check it out if you're curious about cinema that wasn't afraid to get its hands dirty. You won't regret the experience, even if you do a double-take a few times.
IMDb 6.1
1926
Community
Log in to comment.
