★ 7 / 10
Richard Barthelmess ("Oliver") returns, seriously wounded, from WWI
CinemaSerf
Richard Barthelmess ("Oliver") returns, seriously wounded, from WWI and after a time with his rather, shall we say overwhelming, family and after watching his…
Richard Barthelmess ("Oliver") returns, seriously wounded, from WWI and after a time with his rather, shall we say overwhelming, family and after watching his childhood sweetheart marry a more able-bodied gentleman, he retreats to a small cottage on their estate where he just wants to be left in peace. His neighbour is a plain and simple woman "Laura" (Mary McCoy), who chats occasionally, hoping to gee him from his melancholy. Initially he is unresponsive, for the most part, until he is threatened by his rather overpowering sister "Ethel" (Florence Short) who decides that she is going to move in with him... Horrified (as any of us would have been, frankly!) but the thought of this prospect, he suggests to "Laura" that they marry and that she move in with him. At this stage in the film, there are some wonderfully honest conversations between them (and well illustrated by the tone of the inter-titles) basically explaining that this is well and truly a platonic, marriage of convenience - and poor old "Laura" is fully aware of the diversionary tactic nature of their nuptials. What soon becomes clear is that their cottage is, indeed, enchanted - it was always the one used by honeymooning couples and their spirits (quite cleverly represented by some ghostly apparitions) still frequent the place bestowing hope and good fortune, they hope, on their successors in the property. Will their good wishes work with these two? What do you think...? Barthelmess and McAvoy have quite a chemistry between them here - she demonstrates the gentle and caring, compassionate woman with considerable skill and he, likewise, has a certain charm with his performance as the desperate, lonely, soldier. There's also a strong, if sparing, contribution from Holmes Herbert as the blind "Maj. Hillgrove" who has a unique way of identifying which books are on the shelves of his extensive library and the other cast add to the richness too. The story is simple, almost cruel at times, but well delivered. Technically, it is a bit static - the direction lacks intensity and any sense of intimacy. Their gradual feelings of attraction are known to us, but not really demonstrated, and the second part of the feature loses the sharpness of the start. It's still enjoyable enough to watch, though.
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★ 6 / 10
wes-connors
Wounded serving in "The Great War" (World War I), formerly handsome Richard Barthelmess (as Oliver Bashforth) hobbles around the house with a cane. His…
Wounded serving in "The Great War" (World War I), formerly handsome Richard Barthelmess (as Oliver Bashforth) hobbles around the house with a cane. His misshapen body has caused him to forbid mirrors, lest he be reminded of his changed appearance. Despite this statement, a mirror prominently appears on the screen, showing Mr. Barthelmess his sad reflection. Depressed after seeing his wartime sweetheart fall in love with an able-bodied man, Barthelmess decides to move out of his parents' estate, to a small cottage. Still, he is pestered by mannish sister Florence Short (as Ethel), who continually feels she must "look after" Barthelmess.To ward off Ms. Short, who he fears is about to move in with him, Barthelmess proposes to homely May McAvoy (as Laura Pennington), a woman he's acquainted with through blind friend Holmes Herbert (as Major Hillgrove). Even blind, Mr. Holmes knows Ms. McAvoy is ugly because, "We sense what other people see." But, McAvoy is kind, and agrees to become companion to Barthelmess, through marriage. The pitiful newlyweds take care of each other, but hide from most people - with the exception of blind friend Holmes. Together, they find "The Enchanted Cottage" they live in was home to 300 years of honeymooning lovers.Like the spirits of couples roaming around the cottage, Barthelmess and McAvoy fall in love. Then, something magical changes their disfiguring appearances. McAvoy abruptly loses her overbite and crooked nose (shown in dramatic profile dissolve). Barthelmess exclaims, "How blind I've been - you are beautiful!" Then he stands up straight as she exclaims, "You are wonderful to me!" The newly attractive pair are deliriously happy, of course. They share the miracle of their appearance with blind friend Holmes. After considering Holmes' counsel, Barthelmess and McAvoy decode to reveal their newly-found beauty to his family
This leads to the film's most dramatic scene, which you really should see for yourself. The Arthur Wing Pinero story, re-made with Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire in 1945, is indeed enchanting. This version benefits from the appearance of two great stars who successfully left their respective "nests" - Barthelmess from Griffith, McAvoy from DeMille - and found good roles. Here, McAvoy is most successful, due to the nose and teeth work looking extraordinarily realistic (possibly helped by a fuzzy print, but still). Barthelmess fares less well, apparently stricken with the paralytic disorder Lon Chaney suffered in "Flesh and Blood" (1922).Directed by John S. Robertson, "The Enchanted Cottage" was the ninth best film of the year, per "Motion Picture" magazine.****** The Enchanted Cottage (3/24/24) John S. Robertson ~ Richard Barthelmess, May McAvoy, Holmes Herbert, Florence Short
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★ 8 / 10
"Who cares what other people think they see?"
MissSimonetta
I haven't seen the more famous remake, but the original silent movie is a delight.Richard Barthelmess was quite the prolific actor during the 1910s and 1920s.…
I haven't seen the more famous remake, but the original silent movie is a delight.Richard Barthelmess was quite the prolific actor during the 1910s and 1920s. He's often remembered as kind, heroic characters, but here he plays a thoughtless, bitter WWI veteran whose injuries have left him disabled. He is transformed (inside and out) by love from and for a lonely young woman whose plain looks belie her compassion. May Macavoy plays the woman and is tender in her role.Both make a pair of moving screen lovers. The film is a little slow and sometimes a bit heavy on sentimentality, but charming and sweet regardless. I even teared up towards the end!
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6.9/10
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