Ser o no ser

This is the supposedly lost film that John Ford directed that was found in the collection of former cinematographer Jack Murtagh in New Zealand when he died.

It's a wonderful comedy/drama about a group of people who live in an actor-boarding house, most who are out of work, looking for employment in their respective facets of the entertainment business. It stars Earle Foxe, one of filmdom's very early superstars who nobody today has ever heard of (!). It also has Nancy Nash, a lady who made a whole seven movies, Grant Withers appears a couple of years before he had very brief leading man status at Warner Brothers. Also featuring Francis Ford, John Ford's brother, who, at the time, was probably more famous than John because of his prior directing and acting.

No, it's not a John Ford Western, but the lovely humor that turns up is recognizable as Ford's handiwork, and it's fun to watch. Earle Foxe is really good with his non-stop arrogance and hauteur. He has a way of giving a certain look of incredible arrogance that is so funny! Even Grant Withers, an actor who can easily go over-the-top if not directed well, is restrained and quite watchable.

Jane Winton, playing a character who is listed as 'Soubrette', which usually means a female stock character in opera and theatre, derived nevertheless from the Provençal word for 'conceited', is a character in the film who is exactly that! For those who just love to gawk and find up-and-coming actors and actresses in the wings who go uncredited - look closely at the scenes in the London theatre in the audience: one of the audience is Anita Garvin! The restoration was very well done.