Here it is! Warner has opened up its archives and now you can request any of their classics and they will (hopefully) burn one for you. Souls For Sale is an obvious attempt by director Hughes to present Hollywood as a community of hardworking, hard working souls, after the disastrous Arbuckle scandal of 1921. Eleanor Boardman (looking incredible) is Remember Steddman,(SPOILERS COMING) who gets a break when Mae Busch suffers a broken leg. There is much to treasure in this film. Even Richard Dix gives his all as the love struck director. But I mustn't tell you too much. I find this to be a very moving film, particularly Ms Boardman's fine acting (esp. in her screen test). Numerous cameos by Zazu Pitts, Barbara Bedford et al. only enhance the authenticity. Lew Cody, in a well-drawn portrait of evil, is not totally bad, and he is in fact quite funny at times. Barbara La Marr and Aileen Pringle also lend their considerable talents. And I must mention the excellent crowd scenes, esp. in the fire near the end. All in all the characters are a realistic balance of plusses and minusses, giving fine ensemble performances, making this a film to be viewed and viewed again.
Review of Souls for Sale
