I'm grateful this film was found, despite being lost for a very long time. While my ten star rating may be a bit high for a basic crime drama, I honestly really enjoyed it. There's a lot to give credit for here. Tod Browning's unique directing style is definitely present, and utilized tremendously. I particularly enjoyed the constant illusion to the gutter rose that was the theme of the film. The various side characters, in typical Browning fashion are very memorable, from the overbearing landlady to the hulking bartender. But of course, the real draw is the first film teaming up my favorite silent film actor and my favorite silent film actress. Lon Chaney and Priscilla Dean both carry this movie from start to finish, and their many scenes together are very entertaining to watch. Lon is of course the villainous gangster, and plays the part with absolute sinister glee. Not many people could match up to him in this state, but Dean gives him a run for his money, as the pickpocket who wants desperately to turn her life around, but has been living in the wrong crowd for too long. Honestly, the only real gripe I have was the leading man, who is just lame, and becomes unlikable when he begins judging Dean for her past. It's a necessary plot point of course to throw her back into Chaey's clutches, but I feel it could have been handled way better, especially considering the good Dean had clearly done up to that point in the process of reversing her life. Despite this, the film remains enjoyable, and at just under an hour is a very easy film to watch. Any Chaney fan should check it out, and heck, check out more Priscilla Dean movies if you can. It's sad how little she is remembered today.
Review of The Wicked Darling
