My apologies to Mary Martin, but anyone that believes she was the best Peter Pan has never seen the original 1924 version with Betty Bronson. Find this film. It's out there. And I promise you will not only be captured by it's charm, but will become a true believer in Neverland and its inhabitants.
It's hard to fathom with these age-old tales that the original author, J.M. Barrie, was still alive when the first version of Peter Pan was made. Well he was. And he hand-picked a total unknown, Betty Bronson, for the title character. A choice that turned out to be not only wise, but artistically pleasing as well, for Bronson and the rest of this wonderful cast, which includes Ernest Torrance, Esther Ralston, Mary Brian, George Ali and Anna May Wong, prove without a doubt how delightful this fairy tale is.
The film sticks very closely to the original stage version, including some of the actual dialog from the play. But in a story this visual, it's the medium of film that truly has the upper hand in creating the illusions necessary. And it doesn't disappoint. With dozens of swimming Mermaids, a flying pirate ship, and of course, Tinkerbell, Peter Pan dazzles the child out of all of us. Adding to the cinematic visuals is the theatrical performance of George Ali. He specialized in playing animals on stage and in film, and his portrayals of both the family dog and the hand eating alligator is absolutely mesmerizing.
The original silent movie version of Peter Pan scores on so many levels and if you are only familiar with the various sound versions, you are truly missing out on a film going experience that has to be seen to be believed. This is no hype. It's one of the must see silents. You'll have no regrets.
It's hard to fathom with these age-old tales that the original author, J.M. Barrie, was still alive when the first version of Peter Pan was made. Well he was. And he hand-picked a total unknown, Betty Bronson, for the title character. A choice that turned out to be not only wise, but artistically pleasing as well, for Bronson and the rest of this wonderful cast, which includes Ernest Torrance, Esther Ralston, Mary Brian, George Ali and Anna May Wong, prove without a doubt how delightful this fairy tale is.
The film sticks very closely to the original stage version, including some of the actual dialog from the play. But in a story this visual, it's the medium of film that truly has the upper hand in creating the illusions necessary. And it doesn't disappoint. With dozens of swimming Mermaids, a flying pirate ship, and of course, Tinkerbell, Peter Pan dazzles the child out of all of us. Adding to the cinematic visuals is the theatrical performance of George Ali. He specialized in playing animals on stage and in film, and his portrayals of both the family dog and the hand eating alligator is absolutely mesmerizing.
The original silent movie version of Peter Pan scores on so many levels and if you are only familiar with the various sound versions, you are truly missing out on a film going experience that has to be seen to be believed. This is no hype. It's one of the must see silents. You'll have no regrets.
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