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Merry-Go-Round (1923)
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Mary Philbin shines in Von Stroheim melodrama, 16 August 2001
Author: Arne Andersen (aandersen@landmarkcollege.org) from Putney, VT
Although Rupert Julian is given directorial credit for this, it was Von Stroheim's film - Julian was pulled in to finish it after Thalberg fired him. It is Von Stroheim all the way - thematically and texturally. Several themes are begun here and developed in later Von Stroheim vehicles. The nobleman roue slated for a marriage of state who falls in love with a commoner - later used as the crux for THE WEDDING MARCH. The abject cruelty of the man who dominates the fragile common girl's life (echoed in both GREED and in THE WEDDING MARCH).
Count Franz fools around although he is engaged to marry a Countess. He dallies with the impressionable carousel organ grinder at a local fair. The fair is run by a brute of a sadist, who dominates her life and that of her father, a puppeteer - refusing to allow them to stop work to attend to their dying mother/wife, destroying the doll given her by the Count, stepping on her foot and ordering her to smile while grinding the organ (GREED again), and finally pushing a plant from a height onto her father to kill him (he fails). Finally an observant and vengeful orangutan puts an end to the sadist's life.
The second part of the film finds the disillusioned girl nursing her father to health, having confronted the Count (with his new wife) as a liar and cheat. The war intervenes, conveniently killing her father and his wife and at war's end, laying open the path to their reunion, albeit at the tearful renunciation of marriage with the loyal hunchback who has loved her from afar.
The film is quite solidly made and both grabs and sustains interest though many of the plot twists (especially the orangutan) are hardly plausible or believable. This should be sought out by all those interested in Von Stroheim's work. Unlike the earlier films (BLIND HUSBANDS, FOOLISH WIVES) which are experimental and uncertain, this emerges as Von Stroheim's first clear vision of where he wants to go and what he wants to do in film.
Mary Philbin's fine performance and the photoplay are deserving of award consideration. Under the main title and at various transition points we see Mephistopheles standing at the center of a carousel and laughing at the antics of the human race - well done.
Great emotions in von Stroheim's partial direction, 29 March 2008
Author: Petri Pelkonen (petri_pelkonen@hotmail.com) from Finland
Erich von Stroheim started directing the movie Merry-Go-Round (1923) but got the sack by the producer Irving Thalberg and it was finished by Rupert Julian.Norman Kerry plays Viennese Count Franz Maximilian von Hohenegg.He's supposed to marry Countess Gisella von Steinbruck (Dorothy Wallace).That's one thing he doesn't want to do after he meets the beautiful, but poor Agnes Urban (Mary Philbin) at the amusement park.Merry-Go-Round is a good silent film.Norman Kerry is great in the lead and Mary Philbin is just charming.Cesare Gravina does a terrific performance as her father Sylvester.George Siegmann plays the villain of the movie, Schani Huber.He's the leader of the amusement park and a real sadistic person.In one dramatic scene he uses the whip on Agnes.This movie is could I say a forgotten gem.
another forgotten silent treasure, 31 January 2004
Author: non_sportcardandy from california
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Such a simple title but the movie is as billed...."A UNIVERSAL SUPER JEWEL PRODUCTION".The copy just viewed was not real clear but in no way prevented the movie from letting it's fine quality show through.In silent movies I find it so interesting that the persons on screen are able to communicate with the audience without being heard.Much of this communication is done through facial expressions and physical movement.In this movie some of the more important scenes are played out with a minimal amount of gesturing,such is the quality of the performers to convey their feelings.For those who need more there is a monster of a character that gives a new meaning to the word cruel,he could be a professor at the university of torture.He passes each day by gleefully tormenting anyone who comes within thirty feet of him.There are also some world war l military scenes for those wanting to see victims in mass.The main quality of the film is from Mary Philbin,be it love,pain,sadness,remorse,etc.her face is able to express it well.The "phantom of the opera"may be more well known but this movie allowed her to show much more of her acting ability.Since there were not that many films starring Mary Philbin in them that is a good reason by itself to see this one.SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER:Our main actress has to sadly pick a husband from two deserving men.In another silent movie there was a similar situation and the leading lady chose the man Mary Philbin did not pick.In both instances sympathy is felt for the fella not picked.Not easy to call it an happy ending.
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