Best remembered as Norma Desmond, the deranged former silent star
of 1950s Sunset Boulevard, Gloria Swanson was, indeed, one of
"the greatest stars of them all" back in the days before the
cinema had sound. These ten remarkable films showcase Gloria
Swansons beauty and versatility decades before she was "ready
for her closeup."
From her early days in funny but flimsy Mack Sennett two-reelers
through her more substantial roles under the tutelage of Cecil B.
DeMille and on into the sound era of romantic comedies, here is
Gloria Swanson at the height of her powers and popularity,
alongside such fellow legends as Wallace y, Lionel Barrymore,
and even Charlie Chin. No fan of classic cinema should miss
out!
Disc One
His New Job (1915) This is actually a Charlie Chin short
about life on a movie set, co-written by gossip queen Louella
Parsons (!), costarring Chins rival Ben Turpin, and as a
stenographer 18-year-old Gloria Swanson! A fascinating vintage
curiosity. 32 mins.
The Danger Girl (1916) Cross-dressing in 1916? You bet. Gloria
stars as a love girl who dresses up as a man in order to
seduce a rival femme away from her beau (Bobby Vernon, her Mack
Sennett costar). 20 mins.
Teddy at the Throttle (1917) Classic comedy with Gloria as a
naïve girl who winds up tied to the railroad tracks by the
villainous Wallace y her real-life husband at the time (and
nearly as villainous). "Teddy" is Keystone Teddy, the Wonder Dog.
25 mins.
The Sultans Wife (1917) Gloria and her boyfriend sail to
India where an evil Rajah wants to make her part of his harem.
Once again, Teddy the Wonder Dog saves the day! 20 mins.
Disc Two
Male and Female (1919) Turning from comedy to a Cecil B.
DeMille drama, Gloria is a spoiled rich girl who learns about the
qualities that really matter when shes shipwrecked with her
resourceful butler (Thomas Meighan of The Miracle Man). 115 mins.
Hollywood Remembers Gloria Swanson A fascinating look at the
life and career of Gloria Swanson, from her early Mack Sennett
days through Sunset Boulevard and beyond, featuring classic
clips. 25 mins.
Disc Three
Dont Change Your Husband (1919) A DeMille comedy with Gloria
as a frustrated housewife who divorces her slob of a husband
(Elliott Dexter of Flaming Youth) and marries another (Lew Cody
of Dishonored), only to find shes gone from the frying pan into
the fire. 60 mins.
Why Change Your Wife? (1920) Another comedy from Cecil B.
DeMille in which Gloria in a variation of the previous film
is the wife who is divorced by her frustrated husband (Meighan
again) after he meets the lovely Bebe Daniels (42nd Street). 91
mins.
Disc Four
The Affairs of Anatol (1921) This time, both husband and wife
are two-timing each other in this DeMille comedy that features
the ill-ed Wallace Reid (who had little more than a year to
live) and, once again, Bebe Daniels. 117 mins.
Disc Five
Sadie Thompson (incomplete) (1928) Arguably Glorias finest
performance of the silent era; Somerset Maughams classic tale of
a loose woman (Swanson) who sails to Pago Pago to start a new
life, only to fall under the influence of an unforgiving and
overzealous preacher (Lionel Barrymore of Its a Wonderful Life).
Sadly, the final reel is currently lost to the ages. 82 mins.
Indiscreet (1931) Leo McCarey (The Awful Truth, Going My Way)
directed this witty romp, with Gloria as a young woman who is
tempted to stray from the man she loves (Ben Lyon of Hells
Angels)by an unsavory old flame. 81 mins.
Newsreel & Interviews A fascinating assortment of Swanson
rarities, including vintage newsreels and interviews. 8 mins?
Total: 675 mins. = 11-1/3 hrs.