The Silent Command

Silent Command, The (1923)

*** (out of 4)

A Naval officer (Edmond Lowe) must stop a terrorist (Bela Lugosi) from blowing up the Panama Canal, which would cut the U.S. Navy in half. Directed by J. Gordon Edwards, this is a pretty good little thriller with a terrific start and nice ending, both of which pack some nice suspense. The middle drags a little bit as Lugosi pays a blonde to try and seduce the Naval officer into giving away his secrets. Lowe is very good in his role but it's Lugosi who really steals the picture with his wonderful performance. This is certainly the best I've seen from his silent pictures, which I believe this was the last remaining one for me to see. I think the rest are lost.