"The Mating Call" is another one of those Howard Hughes produced silents that may never see a legitimate DVD release due to the complicated mess of the late billionaire's estate. Thankfully TCM is still around to share this treasure with their many dedicated viewers. And what an adventure this movie takes its audience on.
Part romance, part thriller, "The Mating Call" tells the story of a farmer who just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately he can't shake the advances of his ex-wife and her jealous husband, who happens to be in charge of the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan. To add to the complicated plot, the farmer marries an immigrant straight off of Ellis Island in hopes of keeping his unwanted guests at bay.
Intrigued? You should be, for when it comes to wild stories and their many twists, nothing tops the silent era for its daring originality. And "The Mating Call" is no exception.
Thomas Meighan stars as the likable hero. Meighan was an interesting actor, for he didn't share the dashing good looks of his contemporary leading men, nor did he have the charisma that make so many actors popular. However, it was his lack of both of those star-making traits that made him perfect for the role of the awkward farmer caught in a circle of lust and murder.
With his average looks and laid back portrayal, he made for the perfect acting partner with the two actresses that share the movie with him. Renee Adoree is her usual charming self as the immigrant willing to do anything to stay in this country. Oddly enough, her always powerful screen presence did not overshadow Meighan's subtle approach. Instead it brought out a shy tenderness in his portrayal, adding another layer to the complicated relationships that make up the story.
And speaking of layers, the top acting prize in this film goes to Evelyn Brent as the pushed aside ex-wife. It's a role that could have easily been one dimensional, but Brent manages to make her character not only unpredictable, but fresh, bizarre, and totally original. Every scene she is in, it's hard to keep your eyes off her. It's amazing watching this actress be in total control of a character that is so impulsively out of control. Of all the reasons to seek out this film, the performance of Evelyn Brent makes the top of the list.
"The Mating Call" is much more than a series of good performances, though. This film also serves as a reminder of how free and original many of the silent movies were. And as sad as it is that over seventy per cent of the content of the silent era is most likely lost forever, we can be grateful that this movie and so many other equally good efforts have been preserved and still pass the test of time.
Part romance, part thriller, "The Mating Call" tells the story of a farmer who just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately he can't shake the advances of his ex-wife and her jealous husband, who happens to be in charge of the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan. To add to the complicated plot, the farmer marries an immigrant straight off of Ellis Island in hopes of keeping his unwanted guests at bay.
Intrigued? You should be, for when it comes to wild stories and their many twists, nothing tops the silent era for its daring originality. And "The Mating Call" is no exception.
Thomas Meighan stars as the likable hero. Meighan was an interesting actor, for he didn't share the dashing good looks of his contemporary leading men, nor did he have the charisma that make so many actors popular. However, it was his lack of both of those star-making traits that made him perfect for the role of the awkward farmer caught in a circle of lust and murder.
With his average looks and laid back portrayal, he made for the perfect acting partner with the two actresses that share the movie with him. Renee Adoree is her usual charming self as the immigrant willing to do anything to stay in this country. Oddly enough, her always powerful screen presence did not overshadow Meighan's subtle approach. Instead it brought out a shy tenderness in his portrayal, adding another layer to the complicated relationships that make up the story.
And speaking of layers, the top acting prize in this film goes to Evelyn Brent as the pushed aside ex-wife. It's a role that could have easily been one dimensional, but Brent manages to make her character not only unpredictable, but fresh, bizarre, and totally original. Every scene she is in, it's hard to keep your eyes off her. It's amazing watching this actress be in total control of a character that is so impulsively out of control. Of all the reasons to seek out this film, the performance of Evelyn Brent makes the top of the list.
"The Mating Call" is much more than a series of good performances, though. This film also serves as a reminder of how free and original many of the silent movies were. And as sad as it is that over seventy per cent of the content of the silent era is most likely lost forever, we can be grateful that this movie and so many other equally good efforts have been preserved and still pass the test of time.
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