A Blonde for a Night

Like no few of its brethren of the era, there can be little dispute that this is rather direct in its narrative, scene writing, and direction, to the point of being ham-handed to one extent or another. By this point in the 1920s, as talkies slowly began to take over, films started very gradually to trend toward more modern notions of acting and film-making, accentuating greater nuance. This isn't necessarily one of them, and the principles derived from stage performance (not least vaudeville) of exaggerated body language and facial expression still mostly rule the day. This certainly isn't to say that 'A blonde for a night' - a classic story of disagreement between newlyweds, men tripping over themselves for a woman, and a woman outwitting her fellows - isn't worthwhile, only that viewers who have difficulty abiding older films (and specifically, those without sound) might not find anything here to change their mind. Then again, with these traits in mind, the forthrightness quite lends to the comedy, and when all is said and done I think this is a swell little picture that's still a delight, and well deserving of remembrance.

It would seem that the writing and even the direction in this instance was the result of a meeting of many minds, but such far-flung foundations don't at all come across in the finished product. There are definitely familiar strains in the plot that we've seen again and again over the years, yet they are penned with cleverness and cheeky mirth that paints over any commonness. Why, though it never achieves the same heights of zaniness or brilliance, at its best one may discern a flair for the ridiculous that calls to mind the most well-beloved comedies of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd. This is thanks in part just to sharp wit in the scene writing and intertitles that amplifies every moment and story beat into a miniature tornado, yet it's also a terrific credit to the small cast that so joyously embraces the minor madcap energy of the proceedings. By all means this goes for top-billed stars Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford (not that one, the other one), but those in smaller supporting roles - Franklin Pangborn, T. Roy Barnes, Lucien Littlefield - are just as delightful in building the narrative and the humor. My commendations to them all, for it's fun simply to watch them at work.

Kudos as well to the crew operating behind the scenes, for the fundamental craftsmanship of 'A blonde for a night' is a real treat. The sets and costume design are utterly fantastic, stopping shy of the grandeur we saw in more epic dramas and adventures of the day but by the same token, surely more ornate than what many similar titles could claim. Such details absolutely enrich the viewing experience, and in this case are part and parcel to the course of events that in no small degree is about appearance and characters' perceptions. And I dare say joint directors E. Mason Hopper and F. McGrew Willis should also be recognized for firm command of the production - bringing out all the best exuberance of the cast, yet maintaining a tight grip on the reins of each scene so that no silly detail is skipped over. Why, especially given the limited setting, one might easily imagine how this feature could be adapted as a stage play, which perhaps only emphasizes the kinship it shares with the theater.

For whatever issues one may find with the silent era, by which I mean those factors that limit the audience so many decades later, the fact remains that a preponderance of the early heritage of cinema meets or exceeds the quality we've come to expect from the medium in all the years thereafter. Some of the best movies ever made have no need of verbal dialogue or otherwise sound, and even failing that, the culture must be preserved. 'A blonde for a night' might not be a quintessential must-see, but it nonetheless boasts a fierce intelligence and vitality in its lighthearted romp of a tale that helps it to stand out in the upper middle among its peers. I know I've definitely seen too many pictures far more recent than this one that were humdrum snore-fests; the fact that it continues to be so enjoyable nearly 100 years on speaks so well to the skill of all involved. One may be doesn't need to go out of their way to see this, but if you like silent comedies, this is very much worth checking out if you have the opportunity!