Very scratchy and faded print at beginning interesting early intro screen from Universal Studios sad Jack Pickford--alcohol and syphilis Louise Dresser how could a child take away her voice? When the film first began, I was disappointed because the print was very faded and scratchy. Don't worry--it gets much better very quickly. The film finds an older lady living alone--a bitter drunk who has nothing particularly good within her. Years earlier, she lost her voice and had to leave the stage (where she had been a star) and, oddly, she blames her son (Jack Pickford) and sits about drinking and acting surly. She's nicknamed the Goose Woman because she keeps geese on her property.
When a murder occurs near her home, reporters see her drunk and mention her quite negatively in the newspapers. She's angry--the truth hurts. However, instead of changing her ways, she decides to get positive press by pretending to be a witness to the crime. Amazingly, her descriptions end up implicating her estranged son! Is there any good left within this nasty old lady or is the son destined for prison? This is a fair film with nothing particularly outstanding about it--other than the performance of the old woman (Louise Dresser). She is appropriately expressive and subtle--something to admire when you find it in a silent film. Worth seeing just for her nice performance.
By the way, Jack Pickford was the brother of Mary Pickford. Sadly, by the time talking pictures came along, alcoholism and syphilis had taken their toll and his career was all but dead. And, even worse, he died before he even reached 40.
When a murder occurs near her home, reporters see her drunk and mention her quite negatively in the newspapers. She's angry--the truth hurts. However, instead of changing her ways, she decides to get positive press by pretending to be a witness to the crime. Amazingly, her descriptions end up implicating her estranged son! Is there any good left within this nasty old lady or is the son destined for prison? This is a fair film with nothing particularly outstanding about it--other than the performance of the old woman (Louise Dresser). She is appropriately expressive and subtle--something to admire when you find it in a silent film. Worth seeing just for her nice performance.
By the way, Jack Pickford was the brother of Mary Pickford. Sadly, by the time talking pictures came along, alcoholism and syphilis had taken their toll and his career was all but dead. And, even worse, he died before he even reached 40.