The Light in the Dark

Light of Faith, The (1922)

*** (out of 4)

A rather interesting religious/love story about a young woman who is seriously injured (Hope Hampton) and is being taken care of by a thief (Lon Chaney). One day the woman notices that her ex love, who thinks she's dead, has found the Holy Grail. The woman tells the thief that this grail has the power to heal so he sets out to find her ex and get the item. This is the shortened version of The Light in the Dark, a film that was believed lost until being found three years ago. This shortened version was prepared in 1927 by a religious group and this is the version, which has been seen the most. This version runs 40 minutes shorter and while I'd love to see the full version this one here is quite impressive. Hampton is very good in the lead even though she hasn't much to do and Chaney is terrific and quite believable as the thief with a good soul. The lighting used in this film is some of the greatest I've seen from any silent film and it makes the religious moments very strong. This film is on Kino's DVD of Oliver Twist but hopefully they'll release the full version at some point.

With a title like this you'd have to expect some lighting effects, but the sheer beauty of the lighting and cinematography in this film will amaze you. Sunlight in the heroine's hair, the glow of the holy grail and its reflection on faces, even the light of God - all are realized with great care. It certainly anticipates Clarence Brown's later work, especially with Garbo.

The version of the film that I saw was a 30 minute edit re-titled "The Light of Faith" (and beautifully restored by KINO video). I don't know if a longer version exists, but I'd love to see it. As it is the film works beautifully. It is a simple tale of a rough petty criminal, played with great delicacy by the genius actor Lon Chaney, who is trying to help a young woman who has run away from her wealthy family. She tells him the story of the holy grail - and Brown recreates it for us with great beauty. Chaney then attempts to steal the newly discovered grail to restore the girl's health. It builds to a moving and visually stunning climax.

Don't miss this exquisite film.

The Light of Faith, a three-reel condensed version of this film, is available on Kino video. The George Eastman House recently restored the original full 6-reel feature, which we were treated to at Cinefest in Syracuse, NY in March 2003. Lon Chaney plays a kind-hearted thief who falls for Bessie MacGregor (Hope Hampton, star and producer) who has been taken in by a wealthy society matron after being struck by the matron's automobile. He steals a goblet (the Holy Grail?) reputed to have healing powers in hopes of restoring Bessie's health. The film was praised for its art direction and cinematography at the time of its release.

Not too ornate a story, and not the story some of the reviews are discussing, but there is nice acting, a lovely heroine in Hope Hampton, a moving performance by Lon Chaney, and, above all, some beautiful lighting effects.

The final shot, silhouette of the Chaney character and a policeman, is simple ... and simply brilliant.

Purely by accident, I found "The Light in the Dark," with no music, on Odysee, where several unknown and little known silents are available.

This short is extraordinary and I urge movie historians and movie lovers, and fans of Chaney and/or director Clarence Brown, to give it a look.

And it's a good opportunity to see Hope Hampton, whose films are harder to find.