Search - True Heart Susie & Hoodoo Ann on DVD

Excellent Review in 28 August 2007 New York Times

tacks31 | San Francisco, CA | 08/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD release has en extensive review in this morning's New York Times. This print is derived from near pristine originals in the British Film Institute. It is played at the correct speed, tinted according to D.W. Griffith's notations. I have a question for the previous reviewer S. Sathre (zentropa. europa). Do you also see little green men, have visions of grandeur and hear voices when no one else is around?"

A Bobby Harron Double Feature.

Chip Kaufmann | Asheville, N.C. United States | 08/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While the focus of this DVD is on actresses Lillian Gish and Mae Marsh, it is Robert (Bobby) Harron who is of prime interest to me after watching these two films. Harron is best known for his role in Griffith's INTOLERANCE as the young man who is falsely imprisoned in the Modern Story (also with Mae Marsh). He also appears briefly but memorably in BIRTH OF A NATION as Lillian Gish's younger brother. Having recently rewatched that along with these movies I have come away with a much greater appreciation of his talent which makes his tragic death in 1920 at the age of 27 even more so. Harron whether conciously or not was a master of body language. Watch his character in SUSIE as he goes from awkward schoolboy to small town minister. The awkwardness remains but he subtly changes throughout which fits the role perfectly. Then check out his turn in HOODOO ANN where he's still shy but not awkward at all.

Actresses Gish and Marsh are given the opportunity to really inhabit their characters which they do with an ease and naturalness that belies their years of experience. They make it seem fresh even though they have played these types of roles many times. There are many great scenes throughout SUSIE which also features the ill-fated Clarine Seymour who would also die in 1920 at the age of only 21 and we get an early glimpse of Carol Dempster who would dominate Griffith's films (and his private life) in the 1920's. Several scenes in HOODOO including the burning of the orphanage and Harron and Marsh at the movies are quite memorable. The prints while not restored are in very good shape (especially SUSIE) although it's something of a puzzle that I have yet to see a fully restored D.W. Griffith film.

My one minor quibble is Rodney Sauer's score for TRUE HEART SUSIE. It's well performed but is just a little too quaint and old-fashioned in some scenes which undercuts some of the story. The score for HOODOO ANN enhances the film quite nicely. So let this DVD be your introduction to the wonderfully gifted but tragically short-lived actor Bobby Harron. Once you've seen him here it'll make you hungry for more. Aside from INTOLERANCE check out the Griffith BIOGRAPH SHORTS and HEARTS OF THE WORLD for an opportunity to see what he could do. Thanks to David Shepard and Film Preservation Associates for making this available."

True Heart Susie: Lillian Gish silent movie

namwan kalong | michigan | 09/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a movie consistent with the old morals and ethics of that early time frame. It is a morality play teaching about looking for character in a spouse, and the results of not choosing character over looks. I liked Lillian Gish as an actress much better than Mary Pickford, in that she was more subtle in her expression and acting and consequently more realistic."

Nice minor Griffith work

Burritoman "USA" | Pennsylvania | 04/25/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've never understood why "True Heart Susie" has been held in such high esteem by some silent movie fans. It's a very good film, no doubt about it, but director D.W. Griffith made much better pictures, many in fact. Even from this period - "The Greatest Question", for example (and that's not even considering "Broken Blossoms"). This film tells a sweet story and Gish is at her near-best, but it seems like Griffith isn't terribly interested. At any rate, this is a terrific quality print and certainly worthwhile. "Hoodoo Ann", the other film on offer here, wasn't directed by Griffith, which is probably a good thing, as it's not much of a movie. Entertaining, yes, but not one you'll want to watch over again.
Image has done great work in delivering excellent quality prints of silent classics, and they have done right by us here too. Hopefully though they'll release the great Griffith films which aren't available on dvd yet (including "Isn't Life Wonderful", "Judith Of Bethulia", "Drums Of Love", "Sorrows Of Satan", "Lady Of The Pavements", etc.)"