radiotelefonia Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yesterday, I decided to watch this obscure and forgotten Raoul Walsh silent production for the Fox Film Corporation. The video version I have is frankly lousy but since it is the only way to watch this film I'm not complaining. In this film, Walsh tries his hand in the kind of melodrama Tod Browning and, to some extent, Lon Chaney were making at MGM. Here, after a series of melodramatic twist, a quartet of circus performers decided to mask one of them as a monkey that talks, achieving success in Paris. This monkey impersonator gets in a romantic triangle with one of his partners (Don Alvarado) and a performer caled Olivette (a sexy Olive Borden). Although this production would have worked better as a sound film, Raoul Walsh was a much better director than Tod Browning and he fills his film with excitement. Beyond some silly melodrama and some ridiculous situations, the film does not suffer because of those flaws. Walsh was a master of creating moving and touching situations in the middle of vulgar and idiotic situations. It is good that this film is available. Highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissGulch Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 ...this sounds like an early April Fool's joke to me, Jorge! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiotelefonia Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 It is no joke. It is an entertaining film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerskarsten Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Wow, THE MONKEY TALKS is a film I've read about and have wanted to see for a long time! Thanks for posting the advertising material and the screen captures. Would be great to have a chance to see it some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosound Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 If anyone can give assistance in finding an available copy of this film it would be greatly appreciated. I have searched for it for a long time. I know the Eastman house has a copy, but I am unsure as to the Fox movie copyrights. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiotelefonia Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 The film is available online, although Satantango is not in Buenos Aires at the present and did not update his list of silent films: http://www.mundosilente.com.ar However, the film is available in http://www.cine-clasico.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosound Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Thanks very much for the info, I am going to contact mundosilente - I cant get cine-clasico to translate to english. Looking forward to seeing this one!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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