THE WHITE SISTER (Inspiration Pictures, 1923), distributed through Metro Pictures, directed by Henry King, stars Miss Lillian Gish (as credited) in one of her most successful melodramas of the silent film era. Following her many years under the direction of D. W. Griffith, with such milestones as THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915), BROKEN BLOSSOMS (1919), WAY DOWN EAST (1920) and ORPHANS OF THE STORM (1921), Gish continues the tradition of her earlier films, with no disappointment to her fans. Reportedly produced on location in Italy, and taken from the 1909 story by Francis Marion Crawford, under fine direction and well-acted performances, THE WHITE SISTER is not only dominated by Gish, but also grants great attention to a young rising star by the name of Ronald Colman, with whom Gish would reunite again in RAMOLA (1924).
Set in Italy, the story introduces Prince Chiaromonte (Charles Lane), a devout knight of Malta, father of two daughters, Marchesa De Mola (Gale Kane) from his first marriage, and Angela Chiaromonte (Lillian Gish) from his second. Marchesa loves Captain Giovanni Severi (Ronald Colman) of the Italian Army. His sole interest is Angela, whom he wants to marry. Angela's father, however, has plans for Angela to marry Count Del Ferice (Roman Ibanez). After Chiaromonte succumbing from falling off his horse during a hunt, his will is then read that's to have possessions divided between his two daughters. Instead, due to Chiarmonte having married his second wife, but never registered with the civil registry, has both title and estate going to Marchesa, who then evicts Angela from the palace. Angela finds refuge in the home of the kindly Madame Bernard (Juliette La Violette). After Giovanni receives orders to command an expedition in Africa, Angela promises to marry him upon his return. Receiving news that Giovanni has been killed, Angela goes into a state of shock and placed in the hospital of the White Sisters. With the painted portrait of Giovanni left to her by artist, Fillmore Durant (Alfredo Bertone), Angela comes to her senses and slowly recovers. With Giovanni gone, Angela chooses her new life as a hospital nun. Two years later, she takes her final vows while at the same time, Giovanni, having been held prisoner in an Arab camp, makes his daring escape, hoping to be reunited with Angela again.
Other than J. Barney Sherry as Monsignor Saracinesca, the supporting players consist of Italian born actors as Sig Serena (Professor Ugo Serveri, Giovanni's older brother); Corloni Talli (Mother Superior); Giovanni Viccola (General Mazzini) and Giuseppe Pavoni (The Archbishop). Aside from the romantic angle, THE WHITE SISTER also consists natural disasters including the Mount Vesuvius volcano eruption and gigantic flood. Regardless of its extreme length (133 minutes), THE WHITE SISTER never lacks interest thanks to its pleasing soundtrack scoring credited to Garth Neustadter. Gish's sensitive performance and angelic portrayal gives the story a great uplift. Nice added touches include color tinting scenes and intercuts between Angela's final vows and Giovanni's voyage home.
Previously filmed in 1915 (Essanay) starring Viola Allen and Richard Travers (currently lost), THE WHITE SISTER was remade again by MGM (1933) starring Helen Hayes and Clark Gable. With the sound edition revamped, shorter and eliminating the evil sister and natural disasters, proved favorable thanks to its new leading players. Having played at the Museum of Modern Art film department in New York City in the 1970s, THE WHITE SISTER is also available on video cassette, and in two formats on DVD (individually and double feature edition with the 1933 talkie on its flip side). The 1923 edition can be seen on Turner Classic Movies cable channel (TCM premiere: October 14, 2009). (***1/2)
Set in Italy, the story introduces Prince Chiaromonte (Charles Lane), a devout knight of Malta, father of two daughters, Marchesa De Mola (Gale Kane) from his first marriage, and Angela Chiaromonte (Lillian Gish) from his second. Marchesa loves Captain Giovanni Severi (Ronald Colman) of the Italian Army. His sole interest is Angela, whom he wants to marry. Angela's father, however, has plans for Angela to marry Count Del Ferice (Roman Ibanez). After Chiaromonte succumbing from falling off his horse during a hunt, his will is then read that's to have possessions divided between his two daughters. Instead, due to Chiarmonte having married his second wife, but never registered with the civil registry, has both title and estate going to Marchesa, who then evicts Angela from the palace. Angela finds refuge in the home of the kindly Madame Bernard (Juliette La Violette). After Giovanni receives orders to command an expedition in Africa, Angela promises to marry him upon his return. Receiving news that Giovanni has been killed, Angela goes into a state of shock and placed in the hospital of the White Sisters. With the painted portrait of Giovanni left to her by artist, Fillmore Durant (Alfredo Bertone), Angela comes to her senses and slowly recovers. With Giovanni gone, Angela chooses her new life as a hospital nun. Two years later, she takes her final vows while at the same time, Giovanni, having been held prisoner in an Arab camp, makes his daring escape, hoping to be reunited with Angela again.
Other than J. Barney Sherry as Monsignor Saracinesca, the supporting players consist of Italian born actors as Sig Serena (Professor Ugo Serveri, Giovanni's older brother); Corloni Talli (Mother Superior); Giovanni Viccola (General Mazzini) and Giuseppe Pavoni (The Archbishop). Aside from the romantic angle, THE WHITE SISTER also consists natural disasters including the Mount Vesuvius volcano eruption and gigantic flood. Regardless of its extreme length (133 minutes), THE WHITE SISTER never lacks interest thanks to its pleasing soundtrack scoring credited to Garth Neustadter. Gish's sensitive performance and angelic portrayal gives the story a great uplift. Nice added touches include color tinting scenes and intercuts between Angela's final vows and Giovanni's voyage home.
Previously filmed in 1915 (Essanay) starring Viola Allen and Richard Travers (currently lost), THE WHITE SISTER was remade again by MGM (1933) starring Helen Hayes and Clark Gable. With the sound edition revamped, shorter and eliminating the evil sister and natural disasters, proved favorable thanks to its new leading players. Having played at the Museum of Modern Art film department in New York City in the 1970s, THE WHITE SISTER is also available on video cassette, and in two formats on DVD (individually and double feature edition with the 1933 talkie on its flip side). The 1923 edition can be seen on Turner Classic Movies cable channel (TCM premiere: October 14, 2009). (***1/2)