In this Chadwick Pictures comedic melodrama, George Walsh, younger brother of director Raoul, plays "Blaze" Derringer, who has been expelled from college and has consented to his father's offer that he will not return to their Texas ranch estate until he has earned $5000 on his own, to which his father would then add two ciphers. The athletic Walsh performs his own stunts as he gains respect from those about him during a series of adventures, picks up a sidekick played by Tom Wilson (in blackface) while riding a freight car, in flight after unexpectedly scoring a knockout in a prize fight where he was installed as a ringer. During all of this desperate activity, Blaze has rescued the crown princess of the island nation of Bargonia, played by Wanda Hawley, from the hands of the law during a police raid of a cabaret speakeasy, and the two naturally fall in love. Since the princess is voyaging back to Bargonia to become its queen, Blaze must follow her if their love is to be shared, and he and his right-hand man continue with their travails there, linking with the rather odd saxophone playing American consul (Dan Mason) and confronting the villainous prime minister, Count Verensky, played by Frank Leigh, whose lust is balanced for the princess and the crown. This combination of romantic adventure and costume farce than proceeds, as it should, to a conclusion which will be satisfactory to most. The rugged Walsh, who later enjoyed a successful career as a radio and television pitchman, is very effective in this work as his pleasant poker face is suitable for the at times frenetic activity, and he comments humorously with a minimum of expressivity about events occurring about him. Although Hawley's career died along with silent cinema, she was for a time the most popular film actress and the very petite, baby-faced blonde is a good match for the virile Walsh in this well-produced affair. Ralph Spence claims the quick-moving screenplay, and has, as well, a primary responsibility for the often witty titles, while including a cinematically rare reference to Washington's Farewell Address ("Beware of foreign entanglements"). Director Richard Stanton, in this his final film, gives a workmanlike effort and his reputation for success with extras and crowd scenes stands solidly as all are obviously having a grand, but relative, time. Rosa Rio performs the original score on the Wurlitzer, and adds many a witty grace note to bring a smile. The island nation of Bargonia is cast well by a vision of Santa Catalina Island, just off the Southern California coast. The sequences are edited crisply, also by Ralph Spence, providing just the right pacing for this goofily enjoyable and pleasantly patriotic motion picture.
4 Reviews
Very believable...this sort of thing happens all the time.
planktonrules24 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
In some ways, "American Pluck" is entertaining....even if the plot is rather ridiculous. The film begins with a rich man (Blaze Derringer) being expelled from college for being too much of a playboy. However, he definitely lands on his feet and is the sort of story that must happen all the time...just not on this planet!!! The young man and his two buddies hop a freight car after Blaze is expelled. Shortly after arriving at their destination, Blaze is jumped by some tough guys and he manages to beat the snot out of all three of them. It just so happens that at that moment, a fight promoter comes upon the scene and witnesses the brawl. It also just so happens that the Champ is supposed to fight but his opponent has backed out--so he gets this young guy to box the Champ. Naturally, he is able to rather easily beat the Champ! In the process, the Princess sees him and is instantly in love with him and insists he escorts her back home for her coronation. Once in her mythical country, the evil Count abducts her and tries to marry her AND prevent her from being crowned. So it's up to Blaze to track her down, beat up the Count and get her back by 3pm so she'll become the next dictatorial monarch of this god-forsaken land (it's the mid-1920s but they're all running about in uniforms circa 1880 and the place apparently is known for its banana crop--god-forsaken if you ask me). Naturally, the movie ends with the coronation and announcement that Blaze will become the new hubby and Prince of this land.
If you think about it, the plot of this film is a bit like a movie serial, as it is chock full of impossibilities. It's all somewhat entertaining but completely ridiculous--even by the standards of 1925. Silly but rather inconsequential entertainment.
I have a couple final observations. First, the DVD is of a very poor quality even for a silent. The print is very, very fuzzy and the intertitle cards keep changing style. It's like a copy of a copy of a copy. Second, if you are curious about Blaze's friend, Jeff, he was NOT a Black man, but Tom Wilson--a White actor who specialized in playing Blacks by rubbing burnt cork all over his face. He wasn't especially convincing in this role and today such a broad portrayal and the notion of a White guy in black-face is a bit sad...to say the least.
If you think about it, the plot of this film is a bit like a movie serial, as it is chock full of impossibilities. It's all somewhat entertaining but completely ridiculous--even by the standards of 1925. Silly but rather inconsequential entertainment.
I have a couple final observations. First, the DVD is of a very poor quality even for a silent. The print is very, very fuzzy and the intertitle cards keep changing style. It's like a copy of a copy of a copy. Second, if you are curious about Blaze's friend, Jeff, he was NOT a Black man, but Tom Wilson--a White actor who specialized in playing Blacks by rubbing burnt cork all over his face. He wasn't especially convincing in this role and today such a broad portrayal and the notion of a White guy in black-face is a bit sad...to say the least.
Some will like it some will not
fred3f9 March 2010
This is a not a serious film and as such there are many things that you could find wrong about it. It does not rise to the level of Bergman or Welles or Antonioni. But it is a pleasant film.
It is a fantasy and not likely to happen in real life, but many times we go to the movies to escape reality and what happens in real life. At least one reviewer here seems to feel that this is not good enough and that is certainly his/her right to think so. However if your standards are not quite so strict you may find this a charming and pleasant way to relax and forget the cares of life. We all need such things and if you are willing to go along with this movie, it can take you there.
It is a fantasy and not likely to happen in real life, but many times we go to the movies to escape reality and what happens in real life. At least one reviewer here seems to feel that this is not good enough and that is certainly his/her right to think so. However if your standards are not quite so strict you may find this a charming and pleasant way to relax and forget the cares of life. We all need such things and if you are willing to go along with this movie, it can take you there.
Just reasonably watchable on Alpha, but really good fun on Grapevine!
JohnHowardReid10 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
If you're watching the Alpha DVD, this one seems to fall between four or five stools. It's not exciting enough to be a thriller, and no way humorous enough to be rated as a comedy. On the other hand, it's not nearly romantic enough for a love story, nor serious enough for a drama. The movie is no more than adequately staged, even though a great deal of money has been spent on sets, extras and locations. It's difficult to judge on the third or fourth generation copy that survives on the Alpha DVD, but neither the players nor the script display any special or significant virtues. The behind-the-camera staff is likewise neither lack-luster nor especially engaging. The only really bad thing I can say about the movie is that it runs a mite too long. You keep hoping that it will either get better so that it will really engage your attention or become so lacking in luster that you can happily turn it off, but neither of these desirables actually happens on the Alpha disc. From first to last, the film remains neither lousy nor captivating, neither solidly entertaining nor a total waste of time. Coupled with "The Battling Fool", this one is available on an Alpha DVD that is appropriately neither good nor bad, but just reasonably watchable.
But what a difference a good print makes! The film is now available on an excellent copy from Grapevine Video. The story moves fast and is reasonably intriguing, thanks to excellent work by all the players, particularly handsome hero, George Walsh (who seems to be doing almost all of his own stunts); the deliciously lovely heroine, Wanda Hawley; really hissable villain, Frank Lee; loyal comrade, Tom Wilson (notice how careful he is to stay in the background so as not to annoy patrons in the South), and Dan Mason who typifies all the values patrons expect of an American consul. The film's screenplay expertly delivers equal measures of comedy, romance and derring-do. And it's all delightfully directed with both flair and enthusiasm by Richard Stanton (whoever he might be. Never heard of him before!).
But what a difference a good print makes! The film is now available on an excellent copy from Grapevine Video. The story moves fast and is reasonably intriguing, thanks to excellent work by all the players, particularly handsome hero, George Walsh (who seems to be doing almost all of his own stunts); the deliciously lovely heroine, Wanda Hawley; really hissable villain, Frank Lee; loyal comrade, Tom Wilson (notice how careful he is to stay in the background so as not to annoy patrons in the South), and Dan Mason who typifies all the values patrons expect of an American consul. The film's screenplay expertly delivers equal measures of comedy, romance and derring-do. And it's all delightfully directed with both flair and enthusiasm by Richard Stanton (whoever he might be. Never heard of him before!).
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