Eve's Leaves (1926) User Reviews

Sparkling and hilarious

[David-240 · 10/10 · 26 May 1999]

This is one of the most charming and delightful films of the silent era. Leatrice Joy is nothing short of brilliant as a young girl raised as a boy who comes to discover she is a girl when she falls in love in China. Joy's comedic abilities are very much under-rated in film history - her testing her pulse rate whenever a man approaches (to see if she's in love with him) is unforgettable.

Also impressive is William Boyd as her love interest. The direction is also strong, but it's Joy's movie all the way. If you get a chance to see it make sure you do!

Joy and Hoppy -- what a combination!

[JohnHowardReid · 10/10 · 17 December 2013]

What a superb movie! Lots of movement, lots of color, huge sets, thousands of extras! Winning leads and a great story! Mind you, it's no great social tract, it's just pure fantasy – but produced on the grandest of grand scales by none other than Cecil B. DeMille! And what a marvel it is in its original full-length tinted version! Those of us who are only acquainted with Bill Boyd as Hoppy will be amazed not only at the actor's versatility but at the skillful way he puts himself before the camera, often stealing the limelight from Leatrice Joy herself. As for Leatrice, she is fantastic! Mind you, director Paul Sloane, well aware of her appeal and innate charisma, does indulge her with close-up after close-up! But none of us are complaining. And even though she disguises herself as a youth for most of the movie, she still registers as one of the most beautiful femmes this side of heaven. Admittedly, aside from Walter Long, the support players do not receive much of an innings. Even people like Sojin, Arthur Hoyt and Richard Carle are allowed to assert themselves only once or twice, but aside from their relatives, I can't see anyone complaining. Available on a delightful Grapevine DVD.