Manhandled

The actual story and direction merit more of a 7 out of 10 (the plot is more a series of vignettes than a structured plot), but Gloria Swanson's comic performance elevates the whole movie. Her peppy, irreverent characterization is just fantastic. If SADIE THOMPSON is Swanson's best dramatic performance, then MANHANDLED has her at the top of her comic game.

Not much plot here as Gloria, the shop girl, attempts to enter high society, only to discover that high society men want only one thing. Swanson's performance is the only remarkable thing about this ordinary morality tale. She shines - especially in the justifiably renowned subway scene (where she is manhandled in a very different way) and when she impersonates a Russian countess. Gloria learnt more with Mack Sennett than she may have thought - her comic abilities are very strong. My comments here are based on viewing a very poor print, with a terrible music score, from Nostalgia Family Video. It only ran 50 minutes so I suspect it was cut. Are there better prints around?

I just saw this film at the Silent Movie theater in LA. The print was original, from 1924 and in remarkable shape. The music was live organ played by a man who has been accompanying silents for more than 70 years. It was fantastic. Not only does Gloria Swanson really shine, but Alan Dwan makes a hilarious picture out of a paper thin plot. Every character is shown to the fullest, each moment is packed with nuance (usually by Swanson) but also for the other characters. You can't help but feel the director at work there, sculpting each scene until it plays just so, a laugh a minute, but also so human. Terrific. ABE LEVY