This forgotten little family / children's film is about bigger adult issues. This sweet film is about acceptance of those who are different. It uses so much symbolism and so many metaphors it seems is seems like the whole cast is on a soap box. But it's worth it. During the heart of the Great Depression with a pending war in Europe these issues needed to be raised by those who would be fighting for them just ten years later. Two rival gangs of school boys are at war over the same vacant lot as the only place left for them to play. The writer and director focus on the world as the boys see it and so the audience is brought inside the walls of the fort and the earnest issues of homeland, friendship, loyalty and tolerance. An almost too sweet story unfolds and we get to know these youngsters and are touched by their views. I recommend this film and thank Cinesation, the annual Silent & Early Film Festival held in Michigan each fall for playing it on the big screen!
18 Reviews
War Playing
wes-connors6 May 2011
In a busy military hospital, one German soldier bemoans participating in a deadly World War, shouting out, "Patriotism is a loathsome lie!" Then, the story dissolves to a Hungarian schoolteacher telling his young students, "There is nothing finer than Patriotism, nothing nobler than War in defense of the country!" Keeping a few of the boys after school, for passing notes, reveals they are part of a gang. They are "The Paul Street Boys", and they are being threatened by older teenage gang "The Red Shirts" who want to take control of a vacant lot. The lot is the only one left in the neighborhood where the gang can meet and play. "The Paul Street Boys" like to play war games.
Most of the two dozen members of the gang are officers. Only small but determined George Breakston (as Erno Nemecsek), remains a "Private". Young blonde Breakston is the smallest because he won't wear heels. He's also clumsy and admits to being afraid - but "Nemecsek" possesses an enviable amount of determination. Despite being made a scapegoat in the group, Breakston admires "The Paul Street Boys" courageous leader Jimmy Butler (as Boka), who is reelected over a scheming Jackie Searl (as Gereb). Young Searl gets only two votes, from himself and the confident winner.
The boys are playing marbles when "The Red Shirts" cocky leader Frankie Darro (as Feri Ats) arrives on screen. Mr. Darro is obviously going to be hard to beat. Darro has already made inroads; working for the enemy, Searl lets Darro sneak into the "Paul Street Boys" lot and steal their flag. That evening, Breakston volunteers for a dangerous mission - to accompany leader Butler and banana lover Donald Haines (as Csonakos) to "The Red Shirts" camp, and bring back their flag. You'll have to see for yourself how successful they are, but you can be sure the gangs go to War...
An interesting side effect of Breakston's capture is the respect Darro has for his enemy's heroics. Breakston would find himself a more valued member of Darro's gang, but never wavers in his support for Butler. These relationships are highly intriguing. You can probably read a lot of different things in the allegorical story (my favorite "reading" is of "Nemecsek" as Jewish, but there are other interpretations). This film is clearly from a superior source, even without the introduction, "From Ferenc Molnar's immortal book." As it turns out, this is a classic novel from Hungry. For upshot Columbia Pictures, director Frank Borzage, photographer Joseph August, and editor Viola Lawrence excel.
Each of the performers are outstanding, with an amazing lead by Breakston. He may tend toward the sentimental, but plays it as directed. The producers and/or Mr. Borzage seem to have added an "All Quiet on the Western Front" type opening, which partially works; really, the story was strong enough as is. Also regrettable is the decision to intentionally speed up the film in selected parts. Incredibly, this received an homage in the opening of the excellent 1969 re-make, which was nominated for an "Academy Award" in the foreign language category.
******** No Greater Glory (3/14/34) Frank Borzage ~ George Breakston, Jimmy Butler, Frankie Darro, Jackie Searl
Most of the two dozen members of the gang are officers. Only small but determined George Breakston (as Erno Nemecsek), remains a "Private". Young blonde Breakston is the smallest because he won't wear heels. He's also clumsy and admits to being afraid - but "Nemecsek" possesses an enviable amount of determination. Despite being made a scapegoat in the group, Breakston admires "The Paul Street Boys" courageous leader Jimmy Butler (as Boka), who is reelected over a scheming Jackie Searl (as Gereb). Young Searl gets only two votes, from himself and the confident winner.
The boys are playing marbles when "The Red Shirts" cocky leader Frankie Darro (as Feri Ats) arrives on screen. Mr. Darro is obviously going to be hard to beat. Darro has already made inroads; working for the enemy, Searl lets Darro sneak into the "Paul Street Boys" lot and steal their flag. That evening, Breakston volunteers for a dangerous mission - to accompany leader Butler and banana lover Donald Haines (as Csonakos) to "The Red Shirts" camp, and bring back their flag. You'll have to see for yourself how successful they are, but you can be sure the gangs go to War...
An interesting side effect of Breakston's capture is the respect Darro has for his enemy's heroics. Breakston would find himself a more valued member of Darro's gang, but never wavers in his support for Butler. These relationships are highly intriguing. You can probably read a lot of different things in the allegorical story (my favorite "reading" is of "Nemecsek" as Jewish, but there are other interpretations). This film is clearly from a superior source, even without the introduction, "From Ferenc Molnar's immortal book." As it turns out, this is a classic novel from Hungry. For upshot Columbia Pictures, director Frank Borzage, photographer Joseph August, and editor Viola Lawrence excel.
Each of the performers are outstanding, with an amazing lead by Breakston. He may tend toward the sentimental, but plays it as directed. The producers and/or Mr. Borzage seem to have added an "All Quiet on the Western Front" type opening, which partially works; really, the story was strong enough as is. Also regrettable is the decision to intentionally speed up the film in selected parts. Incredibly, this received an homage in the opening of the excellent 1969 re-make, which was nominated for an "Academy Award" in the foreign language category.
******** No Greater Glory (3/14/34) Frank Borzage ~ George Breakston, Jimmy Butler, Frankie Darro, Jackie Searl
German Kids Rumble
bkoganbing12 January 2009
No Greater Glory is Frank Borzage's adaption of a biographical novel by Ferenc Molnar. It's set in the postwar depression that Germany had after World War I. As it opens we first see a veteran talking about the futility of war and then it cuts to a German school where the boys, there are no women in this film other than the lead character's mother, are being spoonfed the same militaristic propaganda that sent Lew Ayres and his friends off to the trenches.
These kids learn well and Lord of the Flies like they split into communities, rival communities that we call gangs. The gang we first meet is the Paul Street Boys and their leader Jimmy Butler. Another group of slightly older kids are trying to push these kids out of the vacant lot that the Paul Street kids play in. This means war and these kids have developed their own rules about it.
One kid, small and scrawny George Breakston wants so much to belong to the gang, but the others tease him and tell him he's too little. He spends the rest of the film trying to prove himself worthy.
No Greater Glory is a really heartbreaking film about kids with misplaced values, the kind who would later become good recruiting fodder for the Nazis. Breakston's performance will elicit tears from the stone lions at the New York Public Library. Frankie Darro and Butler as the rival gang leaders do well by their roles.
I'd love to know how Frank Borzage got Harry Cohn at Columbia Pictures to OK this project. It's a B film, no big stars involved at all, still it's not the most commercial of projects. Yet if you do see it, you will discover a classic.
These kids learn well and Lord of the Flies like they split into communities, rival communities that we call gangs. The gang we first meet is the Paul Street Boys and their leader Jimmy Butler. Another group of slightly older kids are trying to push these kids out of the vacant lot that the Paul Street kids play in. This means war and these kids have developed their own rules about it.
One kid, small and scrawny George Breakston wants so much to belong to the gang, but the others tease him and tell him he's too little. He spends the rest of the film trying to prove himself worthy.
No Greater Glory is a really heartbreaking film about kids with misplaced values, the kind who would later become good recruiting fodder for the Nazis. Breakston's performance will elicit tears from the stone lions at the New York Public Library. Frankie Darro and Butler as the rival gang leaders do well by their roles.
I'd love to know how Frank Borzage got Harry Cohn at Columbia Pictures to OK this project. It's a B film, no big stars involved at all, still it's not the most commercial of projects. Yet if you do see it, you will discover a classic.
A Truly Moving Film
cstotlar30 September 2007
Frank Borzage's films puzzle me in many respects. I can't figure out how he manages to move us but he does. I've seen all the often-quoted films - "Three Comrades", "Mortal Storm", "Man's Castle", "Seventh Heaven" - on more than one occasion and yet each time I am truly moved.
I first caught "No Greater Glory" at the Cinematheque in Paris with a friend when we were studying film. The audience was actually moved to tears! We're talking here about a French audience, a foreign language film not particularly well dubbed on film, an era never experienced by the young audience present at the time and performances by child actors unknown for the most part. Yes, the context in the film was European as were the names and places but the situation was Depression-era America, let there be no doubt about that, as were the actors and production staff. I'm still amazed why and how it worked its magic.
The young actors are never "cute", the lines in the film are more adult than child-like, the performances quite adequate but with no pulling-out-all-the-stops Academy Award-winning emoting. In short, it doesn't "feel" like a manipulative movie in any traditional sense of the word, yet we are manipulated by Borzage's hatred of war in general and his remarkable compassion and sincerity in translating his feelings onto the screen. This film is an absolute must!
Curtis Stotlar
I first caught "No Greater Glory" at the Cinematheque in Paris with a friend when we were studying film. The audience was actually moved to tears! We're talking here about a French audience, a foreign language film not particularly well dubbed on film, an era never experienced by the young audience present at the time and performances by child actors unknown for the most part. Yes, the context in the film was European as were the names and places but the situation was Depression-era America, let there be no doubt about that, as were the actors and production staff. I'm still amazed why and how it worked its magic.
The young actors are never "cute", the lines in the film are more adult than child-like, the performances quite adequate but with no pulling-out-all-the-stops Academy Award-winning emoting. In short, it doesn't "feel" like a manipulative movie in any traditional sense of the word, yet we are manipulated by Borzage's hatred of war in general and his remarkable compassion and sincerity in translating his feelings onto the screen. This film is an absolute must!
Curtis Stotlar
Atypical but important Borzage classic
lqualls-dchin29 May 2005
What makes NO GREAT GLORY atypical for Borzage is that there is no central romantic couple, but this film, a stirring and vivid anti-war drama from the perspective of children (based on Molnar's THE BOYS OF PAUL STREET, which has been filmed on several other occasions), remains one of Borzage's most powerful, and shows the great range of his talent. Using a large cast of children, he is able to get some of the finest performances from many of the child actors, most of whom were Hollywood veterans by this point: George Breakston, Frankie Darro, etc. Yet here, with Borzage's patient guidance, they give fresh and touching performances. Borzage is always able to find great humanity in his performers, and the sorrowful story becomes truly tragic, because Borzage truly engages your emotions and your mind. This is another movie that is not available, and should be made available (and should be shown as often as possible).
Somewhat effective anti-war film making parallel to boy gangs...
Doylenf12 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
It's hard to understand what made a director like Frank Borzage attach himself to this project. There's no female lead, no love interest at all, just a gang of boys in Germany determined to hold onto a piece of property and waging war against each other to hold onto a vacant lot.
It's supposed to symbolize what's wrong with men playing at war games much the way these boys are affected by WWI's deadly consequences.
The boys are natural actors for the most part with FRANKIE DARRO standing out in an unusual role for him. The only female in the cast is LOIS Wilson as the mother of the weakest boy who succumbs to illness after ill treatment by the rival gang--but who desperately wants to be a part of the good guys gang. Played by GEORGE P.BREAKSTON, he too does a convincing job.
Given the spare use of sets for most of the scenes, it looks more like a B-film than an A-film from Columbia. Certainly it's a low-budget entry and made no big impression on film history since it's rarely ever seen these days and remains largely unknown among Frank Borzage's works.
I found it rather manipulative in the way it played with emotional scenes and not all of the character motivations seemed genuine.
It's supposed to symbolize what's wrong with men playing at war games much the way these boys are affected by WWI's deadly consequences.
The boys are natural actors for the most part with FRANKIE DARRO standing out in an unusual role for him. The only female in the cast is LOIS Wilson as the mother of the weakest boy who succumbs to illness after ill treatment by the rival gang--but who desperately wants to be a part of the good guys gang. Played by GEORGE P.BREAKSTON, he too does a convincing job.
Given the spare use of sets for most of the scenes, it looks more like a B-film than an A-film from Columbia. Certainly it's a low-budget entry and made no big impression on film history since it's rarely ever seen these days and remains largely unknown among Frank Borzage's works.
I found it rather manipulative in the way it played with emotional scenes and not all of the character motivations seemed genuine.
Astonishing, beautiful
morrisonhimself15 January 2009
Is this an allegory? Is it intended to show the futility of war? Is it just a story of a moment of boys' life? Supposedly it is somewhat autobiographical, a story by Ferenc Molnar.
Whatever its intent, and I suppose a viewer is allowed to see what he wants, it is a moving and beautifully done film.
There is one very sad irony: Jimmy Butler, who gives a magnificent performance, and who shows so much talent you just know he is going to be a big star, was later a casualty of the real war, World War II.
He shows astonishing presence, especially for one so young -- he was 13 when "No Greater Glory" was released -- and gave a performance not surpassed by many adults.
Frankie Darro, sometimes billed as "Darrow," was nearly always simply great (You must see him in "Wild Boys of the Road," where he performs surely the first "break dance" on film.), and he is a stand-out here.
Ralph Morgan and Lois Wilson are wonderful as parents of the boy played by George Breakston, just heartbreaking as they wish their little son recovery from his illness.
Really, even when an occasional player is less than great, this movie and the portrayals are enthralling.
Turner Classic Movies is to be commended for letting us see this.
Whatever its intent, and I suppose a viewer is allowed to see what he wants, it is a moving and beautifully done film.
There is one very sad irony: Jimmy Butler, who gives a magnificent performance, and who shows so much talent you just know he is going to be a big star, was later a casualty of the real war, World War II.
He shows astonishing presence, especially for one so young -- he was 13 when "No Greater Glory" was released -- and gave a performance not surpassed by many adults.
Frankie Darro, sometimes billed as "Darrow," was nearly always simply great (You must see him in "Wild Boys of the Road," where he performs surely the first "break dance" on film.), and he is a stand-out here.
Ralph Morgan and Lois Wilson are wonderful as parents of the boy played by George Breakston, just heartbreaking as they wish their little son recovery from his illness.
Really, even when an occasional player is less than great, this movie and the portrayals are enthralling.
Turner Classic Movies is to be commended for letting us see this.
Unrealistic Antiwar Film - No Greater Glory
arthur_tafero11 March 2022
This film is a fantasy; real kids don't behave like this. We had our own gangs and minded our own business on our own streets. If you got caught outside of your street, then you were pretty much on your own. Movies about turf wars seem very real, until you get old enough to be in the military, and realize that turf wars are a waste of time; just like wars are a waste of time. There are only very few instances where wars are justified; and the family should always come first. Your friends will change after several years, but your family will always be there for you. Sometimes, you get lucky and make lifelong friends; usually just only one or two, but not whole gangs like portrayed in this film. No, life is much more mundane than it is portrayed in this or any other movie. It makes for good viewing and is overly dramatic, but ultimately, it is not very realistic. Families are what is realistic. They come before wars, before countries, and before friends.
Little men,what now?
dbdumonteil18 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Frank Borzage made so many great movies it is very difficult to find which one is the best.In the thirties,I do believe Borzage was the greatest director in America(and he might be the greatest in the twenties too).
Just compare the endings of "a farewell to the arms" " no greater glory" and "mortal storm" .A person has lost his/her love/child and holds him/her in his/her arms.The mother in "no greater glory" epitomizes all the weary mothers of the earth,all those who lost their son in a war (or a war game here) and still do not know what for.
After a short prologue which shows the horrors of war,Borzage films pupils who are brainwashing into believing that there's no greater glory when you die for your homeland .Like in EM Remarque's novel ,"Im Westen Nicht Neues" ,or Milestone's eponymous movie,the teacher is one of the first to blame.
When your teacher tells you it is the greatest glory,any child's dream is to be part of a glorious army.And not only a private,with your name in small letters...The greatest thing that can happen to you is to wear an officer's cap and to see your name in capital letters.
Borzage's directing is absolutely stunning.One should note that ,apart from two mothers (one of whom briefly appears),there are no girls ,no love plot,nothing romantic. The military iron discipline is so realistic (and so is the final battle) that they seem to be real soldiers (In the nineteenth century in France,during the First Empire or later during the third Republic,boys were taught manual of arms at a very early age).But Borzage's touch shows when he tells us that they remain children after all:they are afraid of a night owl or of a frog
Admirable scenes:the boy,in his bed ,trying to whistle;his beaming face ,when he is given the cap and made a captain;his delirium when he seems his commander leading his men to war..
"No greater glory" : War is not made for children;it's not made for grown-ups either.One of the greatest pacifist movies ever.
Just compare the endings of "a farewell to the arms" " no greater glory" and "mortal storm" .A person has lost his/her love/child and holds him/her in his/her arms.The mother in "no greater glory" epitomizes all the weary mothers of the earth,all those who lost their son in a war (or a war game here) and still do not know what for.
After a short prologue which shows the horrors of war,Borzage films pupils who are brainwashing into believing that there's no greater glory when you die for your homeland .Like in EM Remarque's novel ,"Im Westen Nicht Neues" ,or Milestone's eponymous movie,the teacher is one of the first to blame.
When your teacher tells you it is the greatest glory,any child's dream is to be part of a glorious army.And not only a private,with your name in small letters...The greatest thing that can happen to you is to wear an officer's cap and to see your name in capital letters.
Borzage's directing is absolutely stunning.One should note that ,apart from two mothers (one of whom briefly appears),there are no girls ,no love plot,nothing romantic. The military iron discipline is so realistic (and so is the final battle) that they seem to be real soldiers (In the nineteenth century in France,during the First Empire or later during the third Republic,boys were taught manual of arms at a very early age).But Borzage's touch shows when he tells us that they remain children after all:they are afraid of a night owl or of a frog
Admirable scenes:the boy,in his bed ,trying to whistle;his beaming face ,when he is given the cap and made a captain;his delirium when he seems his commander leading his men to war..
"No greater glory" : War is not made for children;it's not made for grown-ups either.One of the greatest pacifist movies ever.
I guess I am a voice of dissent
planktonrules14 January 2010
This is a bizarre and very heavy-handed film. Instead of showing adults at war, this film does war on a small scale--with children playing war. This isn't just kids playing war, but they have ranks, follow orders and act much like adults would in war. And, almost the entire film consists of kids acting--with only a few adults here and there. This strange idea seemed to impress most of the reviewers but I couldn't get into it--mostly because it all seemed rather fake and I also thought that children playing war and acting as if it's all lots of fun just seemed a bit grotesque. Although I know it was meant as an allegory about war and heroism and the futility of war--it seemed like it could also be taken as a pro-war film as well! As for the kids, all but Frankie Darro were unknowns and the acting, for kids, was pretty good. But it was also sappy from start to finish--and also made war seem pretty cool--like a recruitment film for the next war.
I guess I am a voice of dissent, but I didn't like the film--though I did at least respect the acting (for the most part) and give it a 4 simply for technical merit. Also, I nominate George P. Breakston for a special award for Best Performance By a Crazy Kid for his acting at the 61 minute mark. It has to be seen to be believed. Further, I nominate all the parents for the Most Irresponsible Parenting award for encouraging their little ragamuffins to become little warmongers.
I guess I am a voice of dissent, but I didn't like the film--though I did at least respect the acting (for the most part) and give it a 4 simply for technical merit. Also, I nominate George P. Breakston for a special award for Best Performance By a Crazy Kid for his acting at the 61 minute mark. It has to be seen to be believed. Further, I nominate all the parents for the Most Irresponsible Parenting award for encouraging their little ragamuffins to become little warmongers.
Superb anti-war film from a famous novel!
DavidW194730 April 2018
This is a superb anti-war film, filmed in 1933, but not released in Great Britain until late 1934 and directed by Frank Borzage. I've been thinking how I could describe, to those who haven't seen it, how wonderful this film is and I've decided to paste in this 1934 British film magazine review, the sentiments of which I agree with entirely.
"NO GREATER GLORY" (Columbia Pictures, 1933).
From Film Pictorial dated December 15th, 1934.
This week's honours to: GEORGE BREAKSTON.
We have had film children smart and clever, showing skill and ability above their years. But in "No Greater Glory" we get from George Breakston not cleverness or smartness, but sheer acting ability and naturalness. This from a boy of such tender years is an achievement indeed. He is only eleven: he has never acted before. Yet in this plea for greater understanding among men, in a picture that needed so much courage to produce, he lives. He plays the part of a weakling boy with the heart of a lion. Throughout the film he will play havoc with your emotions and at the end you will shed a tear for him. But you will want to see this lad again. And you will.
REVIEW.
It needed courage in abundance to make this film. Whether the director has succeeded in what he set out to achieve will probably be a subject for warm discussion. But there can be no two opinions about the sincerity of this ambitious effort. And in these days, when war talk is so much in the air, the moral he tries to point will inevitably have its effect in many places.
Showing, first of all, the terrors of battle, in 1917, with a private screaming a tirade against war, its horror, its pain, its suffering, and being obviously afraid to die, the scene is then switched to 1934. A professor is lecturing his class on the glory of dying for one's country - and then we see two rival schoolboy gangs, or armies, if you prefer it. There are the two leaders struggling for supremacy, culminating in a pitched battle for a playground. Throughout, the seemingly weak character of the boy, Nemecsek, is thrust to the foreground; frail in body though he is, he tries so hard to be courageous. He would do anything for his leader; anything for the cause he loves. The end is inevitable.
Grim though the production is, it is brilliantly acted by the boys, with George Breakston giving a performance that is supreme. Here is a mere child of eleven, playing his first part, who lives on the screen as few actors have ever lived. His terror, his forced bravado in moments of battle - every scene, in fact, is perfect. Unless you are the type of filmgoer who must be amused every time you go to a cinema, you really should see this film. It points a moral, but it is so vividly and beautifully done, that it should appeal to every person who seeks the "different" in his filmgoing."
THE SONY DVD. This is an excellent transfer of an obviously remastered print of the film. The image and sound quality are amazing, taking into consideration that fact that this 85 years old picture is an early sound film and the sound is as loud and clear as you would wish it to be. Highly Recommended!
"NO GREATER GLORY" (Columbia Pictures, 1933).
From Film Pictorial dated December 15th, 1934.
This week's honours to: GEORGE BREAKSTON.
We have had film children smart and clever, showing skill and ability above their years. But in "No Greater Glory" we get from George Breakston not cleverness or smartness, but sheer acting ability and naturalness. This from a boy of such tender years is an achievement indeed. He is only eleven: he has never acted before. Yet in this plea for greater understanding among men, in a picture that needed so much courage to produce, he lives. He plays the part of a weakling boy with the heart of a lion. Throughout the film he will play havoc with your emotions and at the end you will shed a tear for him. But you will want to see this lad again. And you will.
REVIEW.
It needed courage in abundance to make this film. Whether the director has succeeded in what he set out to achieve will probably be a subject for warm discussion. But there can be no two opinions about the sincerity of this ambitious effort. And in these days, when war talk is so much in the air, the moral he tries to point will inevitably have its effect in many places.
Showing, first of all, the terrors of battle, in 1917, with a private screaming a tirade against war, its horror, its pain, its suffering, and being obviously afraid to die, the scene is then switched to 1934. A professor is lecturing his class on the glory of dying for one's country - and then we see two rival schoolboy gangs, or armies, if you prefer it. There are the two leaders struggling for supremacy, culminating in a pitched battle for a playground. Throughout, the seemingly weak character of the boy, Nemecsek, is thrust to the foreground; frail in body though he is, he tries so hard to be courageous. He would do anything for his leader; anything for the cause he loves. The end is inevitable.
Grim though the production is, it is brilliantly acted by the boys, with George Breakston giving a performance that is supreme. Here is a mere child of eleven, playing his first part, who lives on the screen as few actors have ever lived. His terror, his forced bravado in moments of battle - every scene, in fact, is perfect. Unless you are the type of filmgoer who must be amused every time you go to a cinema, you really should see this film. It points a moral, but it is so vividly and beautifully done, that it should appeal to every person who seeks the "different" in his filmgoing."
THE SONY DVD. This is an excellent transfer of an obviously remastered print of the film. The image and sound quality are amazing, taking into consideration that fact that this 85 years old picture is an early sound film and the sound is as loud and clear as you would wish it to be. Highly Recommended!
The Bugsy Malone of War Movies
MogwaiMovieReviews22 May 2021
Odd and often mawkish boys' adventure tale with a very vague anti-war message.
At times it feels quite Tom Sawyer-like, but the story doesn't offer any clear-enough parallels to adult warfare to justify the premise or give the audience anything useful to go away with. The little boy who tags along ruining everything early on is first incredibly annoying, then futilely brave, then finally an overwrought martyr. All pleasant enough, but it's not surprising the film is largely forgotten, and it's no great loss if you miss it.
At times it feels quite Tom Sawyer-like, but the story doesn't offer any clear-enough parallels to adult warfare to justify the premise or give the audience anything useful to go away with. The little boy who tags along ruining everything early on is first incredibly annoying, then futilely brave, then finally an overwrought martyr. All pleasant enough, but it's not surprising the film is largely forgotten, and it's no great loss if you miss it.
My Favorite Movie
aanderson-815 February 2004
I am 53 years old. When I was 12 my father told me to stay home from school to see this movie on television. The movie was a tearjerker classic that every boy, girl and adult should see. Unfortunately this was the last time I ever saw it. It is listed with 5 out of 5 stars in the blockbuster movie guide and I concur. There was reportedly a remake of this film, I believe in color, but not the same title. I would love to hear of anyone who knows if either film still exists and especially if it will be shown anywhere. I'm hoping that Ted Turner has it intact in his collection for TCM. If I never see it again I at least hope all of you see it at least once. Thank you
Wonderful American movie based on Hungarian book
zeurotrash21 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
While watching this film, this morning, I first thought that it was a dubbed version of a film that I had seen before. The original was a Hungarian film made in 1929. The book had been written, I believe in 1907. Although it was very powerful and followed the original, I don't believe it had anything to do with anti-war. I feel that it was more about human nature and boys will be boys. The rival gang had more respect for the poor little under dog than his own gang had. The acting in this film was an exceptional example of how intense child actors can be. I highly recommend viewing the original Hungarian version. The child actors were also brilliant and I cried for both versions. The sign in the tailor shop is in Hungarian.
No Greater Example!
tashman27 February 2002
No musical spots, no romantic sub-plots, not even a girl around! Well, there's the great Lois Wilson as the leading kid's mother, and she's always worth watching, but make no mistake - this is about how boys develop their thinking process, their pecking order, and their views of the world. Not a hint of "boys will be boys," but boy, is it ever obvious in this unusually fearless, serious piece of anti-war propaganda. I would love to see this film restored, revived, and road-show-presented to every school in the country. It doesn't matter a dot that there are no girls in the story, either, as the subject is more valid today, perhaps, in light of world terrorism and how boys are being raised in other lands, than it might have been considered in 1934. We've enjoyed Molnar plays and tales - Liliom, The Good Fairy, The Guardsman, et al, but nothing prepared me for this hard-hitting, no holds barred filming of his book, the Paul Street Boys. There are plenty of marvelous character players, including Christian Rub, Samuel S. Hinds, Ralph Morgan, and of course, Miss Wilson, but it is the younger actors who race away with this picture, particularly everyone's favorite brat, Jackie Searle (who will not disappoint you!), and everyone's favorite tough guy, Frankie Darro, here offering a more layered, thoughtful performance than he is usually allowed to give. Though all the boys are terrific, one stands out, young Georgie Breakston (remember that wonderful moment in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT just after everyone sings "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" - the bus hits the mud and everyone goes flying - it was Georgie Breakston who broke the mood with his plaintive "Ma! Ma!" and gets the money from Colbert and Gable!!) effectively carrying the picture on his tiny shoulders. His performance in NO GREATER GLORY makes a lot of more famous child players seem like cardboard cut-outs. Write to your Congressman about this one, but try and find a copy and show it to your children!
Strange Anti-War
Michael_Elliott13 February 2009
No Greater Glory (1934)
*** (out of 4)
A rather strange anti-war film that tells the story of two rival kid gangs who are planning to go to war in order to fight over a vacant playground that both sides want. Jimmy Butler plays Boka, a small child who is the only Private in his gang, because he's so small, yet he's the only one will to risk his neck for the greater good of the gang. I've heard people call this a Our Gang Goes to War film and perhaps that isn't too far off base but in the end this is a film I respected a lot more than enjoyed. I'm sure many, many people are going to watch this film and love it but I wouldn't go that far. I think the message is loud and clear but to me it's way too loud and clear. This is the second film I've seen from Borzage's career during this period, the other being Young America, and there's no doubt he wants to get his views across but I think in both films he goes a little overboard. The most impressive thing about this film are the child performances, which range from very good to downright excellent. I was very impressed with the young Butler not only because of his acting but because of his small structure and his ability to rise up and battle. It was a little sad and ironic when I read that he would die in WW2 fighting for his country. George P. Breakston, Jackie Searl and Frankie Darro also add nice work with future Dick Tracy Ralph Morgan having a small role. Another major plus was the cinematography, which looked extremely well and so focused that you couldn't help but feel as if you were there during all the action. The ending, which goes for emotions, certainly gets them and remains one of the most powerful scenes from this era.
*** (out of 4)
A rather strange anti-war film that tells the story of two rival kid gangs who are planning to go to war in order to fight over a vacant playground that both sides want. Jimmy Butler plays Boka, a small child who is the only Private in his gang, because he's so small, yet he's the only one will to risk his neck for the greater good of the gang. I've heard people call this a Our Gang Goes to War film and perhaps that isn't too far off base but in the end this is a film I respected a lot more than enjoyed. I'm sure many, many people are going to watch this film and love it but I wouldn't go that far. I think the message is loud and clear but to me it's way too loud and clear. This is the second film I've seen from Borzage's career during this period, the other being Young America, and there's no doubt he wants to get his views across but I think in both films he goes a little overboard. The most impressive thing about this film are the child performances, which range from very good to downright excellent. I was very impressed with the young Butler not only because of his acting but because of his small structure and his ability to rise up and battle. It was a little sad and ironic when I read that he would die in WW2 fighting for his country. George P. Breakston, Jackie Searl and Frankie Darro also add nice work with future Dick Tracy Ralph Morgan having a small role. Another major plus was the cinematography, which looked extremely well and so focused that you couldn't help but feel as if you were there during all the action. The ending, which goes for emotions, certainly gets them and remains one of the most powerful scenes from this era.
Recruiting tool?
megaseis21 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
First off, I have never read the book. I had no idea the book nor this movie even existed until today.
I just saw the 2nd half of this movie today, and to me it appears somewhat to be a propaganda item. Before I go on, though, other posters have mentioned that it takes place in Germany. That could very well be, I did miss the first half after all, but the tailor shop window sign appears to be Czech or Polish, or something similar, but it's not German. Perhaps the main characters are immigrants??? Well, moving on...
It is odd that the parents of all the children involved actually support the gang setup and the violence that goes along with that. WTF??? WTF is that all about? One parent goes so far as to remark that he will punish his own son because the son got kicked out of the gang. Is there perhaps a scene in the 1st half that indicates that the parents all consider this harmless play?
The kids appear to have sharp spears as weapons, but I didn't see any kids getting shish-kabobed on those spears. BTW, did anybody stop to think about why and how a bunch of middle-school kids acquired all those spears?
Moving on once more....
The main themes of the the movie: standing up for your rights, battling bravely against all odds, taking on a bigger opponent, refusing any favors or gestures of pity, David against Goliath.... all this to me suggested that the movie was trying to inspire the audience to be ready to defend their homelands.
The last few minutes of the movie, though, have me thinking hard. There was the long, slow procession, bringing the body back. The mother staggers for a moment, and the boys beside her quickly step in and assist her in holding up the body. At this point, it's still a "whip up their spirits"-type movie. Inspirational moment.
Or that could have been an acknowledgement of the futility of war. A better point could have been made if all the kids had just snapped to reality and walked away. The propaganda-ish scene of the somber procession accompanying the fallen warrior belies that. In my opinion.
But at the very end, the cranes and bulldozers are digging up the disputed area to turn it into townhomes, or apartments, or something. That does lead into a "wtf was this all about?" moment. For all their efforts to keep the "land", stronger forces came in and took it over anyway.
I just saw the 2nd half of this movie today, and to me it appears somewhat to be a propaganda item. Before I go on, though, other posters have mentioned that it takes place in Germany. That could very well be, I did miss the first half after all, but the tailor shop window sign appears to be Czech or Polish, or something similar, but it's not German. Perhaps the main characters are immigrants??? Well, moving on...
It is odd that the parents of all the children involved actually support the gang setup and the violence that goes along with that. WTF??? WTF is that all about? One parent goes so far as to remark that he will punish his own son because the son got kicked out of the gang. Is there perhaps a scene in the 1st half that indicates that the parents all consider this harmless play?
The kids appear to have sharp spears as weapons, but I didn't see any kids getting shish-kabobed on those spears. BTW, did anybody stop to think about why and how a bunch of middle-school kids acquired all those spears?
Moving on once more....
The main themes of the the movie: standing up for your rights, battling bravely against all odds, taking on a bigger opponent, refusing any favors or gestures of pity, David against Goliath.... all this to me suggested that the movie was trying to inspire the audience to be ready to defend their homelands.
The last few minutes of the movie, though, have me thinking hard. There was the long, slow procession, bringing the body back. The mother staggers for a moment, and the boys beside her quickly step in and assist her in holding up the body. At this point, it's still a "whip up their spirits"-type movie. Inspirational moment.
Or that could have been an acknowledgement of the futility of war. A better point could have been made if all the kids had just snapped to reality and walked away. The propaganda-ish scene of the somber procession accompanying the fallen warrior belies that. In my opinion.
But at the very end, the cranes and bulldozers are digging up the disputed area to turn it into townhomes, or apartments, or something. That does lead into a "wtf was this all about?" moment. For all their efforts to keep the "land", stronger forces came in and took it over anyway.
Boy soldiers
jarrodmcdonald-111 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Apparently the film was not popular with audiences in its day, though now it is hailed as a classic. Perhaps it was a bit too European in tone and trying too much to make an anti-war statement for some Americans to enjoy. In a way, anti-war films fail because wars still rage on. The sad truth is that all five of the young boys cast in the main roles did go off to war a decade later. Two of them were killed in action.
When you watch the film with this knowledge, that Jimmy Butler and Donald Haines did not live beyond their 23rd birthdays because of war, I suppose the viewing experience becomes even more tragic and poignant. It causes you to appreciate what it means for these innocent spirits to be assembled on screen before us, and how they represent the preciousness of life itself.
From a filmic standpoint, there are some weak spots that could have been improved. First, I think some of the dialogue sounds too mature for young kids to speak, as if it was what an adult writer (Jo Swerling) thought kids should sound like, instead of remembering how it was when he was a kid and actually spoke like one. Another weakness in my opinion is the fact that our hero Nameczek (George Breakston) has to die from pneumonia during the final battle sequence.
It was like they were afraid to have a kid die from the battle itself, which would be a form of real gang violence and murder. So he has to become increasingly sick, from cold and cough to deep congestion, before he collapses from an acute bronchial infection. This undercuts the value of the last main scene where the mother carries him home from battle, which suggests he died because of the war not because he had a chronic and fatal case of the sniffles.
I do think the juvenile performers are very good. A particular favorite is teenaged Frankie Darro as the leader of the older rival gang. And I do get a kick out of Jackie Searl as the Benedict Arnold of the bunch whose father refuses to believe he was ever a traitor.
The story is filled with archetypes and somewhat predictable situations. It is meant to be an allegory but it does come across as preachy. It makes you think of war films with grown men in them behaving like little boy soldiers.
Because many of these youngsters are barely on the cusp of puberty, they do not seem interested in the opposite sex. There is no romantic angle in this film like we have in the more grown-up war flicks that Hollywood produces. There is no Burt Lancaster getting amorous with Deborah Kerr on a beach in Pearl Harbor. It is a lot of fighting over territory and a boy dying.
When you watch the film with this knowledge, that Jimmy Butler and Donald Haines did not live beyond their 23rd birthdays because of war, I suppose the viewing experience becomes even more tragic and poignant. It causes you to appreciate what it means for these innocent spirits to be assembled on screen before us, and how they represent the preciousness of life itself.
From a filmic standpoint, there are some weak spots that could have been improved. First, I think some of the dialogue sounds too mature for young kids to speak, as if it was what an adult writer (Jo Swerling) thought kids should sound like, instead of remembering how it was when he was a kid and actually spoke like one. Another weakness in my opinion is the fact that our hero Nameczek (George Breakston) has to die from pneumonia during the final battle sequence.
It was like they were afraid to have a kid die from the battle itself, which would be a form of real gang violence and murder. So he has to become increasingly sick, from cold and cough to deep congestion, before he collapses from an acute bronchial infection. This undercuts the value of the last main scene where the mother carries him home from battle, which suggests he died because of the war not because he had a chronic and fatal case of the sniffles.
I do think the juvenile performers are very good. A particular favorite is teenaged Frankie Darro as the leader of the older rival gang. And I do get a kick out of Jackie Searl as the Benedict Arnold of the bunch whose father refuses to believe he was ever a traitor.
The story is filled with archetypes and somewhat predictable situations. It is meant to be an allegory but it does come across as preachy. It makes you think of war films with grown men in them behaving like little boy soldiers.
Because many of these youngsters are barely on the cusp of puberty, they do not seem interested in the opposite sex. There is no romantic angle in this film like we have in the more grown-up war flicks that Hollywood produces. There is no Burt Lancaster getting amorous with Deborah Kerr on a beach in Pearl Harbor. It is a lot of fighting over territory and a boy dying.
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