This is a faithful adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel. The picture reflects the true nature of Dorian Gray while he remains young. The art job in this movie is pretty cool. He's shown as a good looking guy at first and then becomes a beast. Angela Lansbury plays his love interest, the girl he did wrong. I wish Oscar Wilde wrote more novels. The Picture of Dorian Gray still is a classic.
Richard Barthelmess plays a convict who goes to prison. While there his musical talent is discovered. When he gets out though and becomes a singer people still call him a convict. Betty Compson plays the girl who is interested in him. This is half talkie/half silent. It's an ok movie.
This DVD contains two ok silent films. The Show Off is about a man who puts his family to ruin but ends up saving the day at the end. It costars Louise Brooks as a nice girl. (This wasn't her usual role.) Louise shines in this movie and that's the reason to watch it. The Plastic Age has Clara Bow in it. Two guys in college are after her. She's a bit of a tease. The ending is cute. Clara Bow would later make It a much better movie called It. Clara definitely was one of the most charismatic silent stars. They're worth a watch.
George Sanders is in a relationship with Ella Raines. However his sister Geraldine Fitzgerald who is in bad health (she could be faking it as well) has too much control over his life. When Ella dumps him he is determined to get back at his sister. It's a good noir. Ella Raines is one of my favorite noir stars. Rather it was in Phantom Lady or this she shined on the screen. She should be more known.
Pat O'Brien plays a strict cop. Humphrey Bogart has a bad muffler and an interview on the same day. Pat O'Brien's character knows he won't get to his job and decides to punish him anyway. Pat is moved to an elementary school and then begins to see the wrong he did to Humphrey. Ann Sheridan plays a school teacher. The same cast Sheridan, O' Brien, and Bogart would also do the prison movie San Quentin.
