Lucky star

I had ever come across the name Frank Borzage. Not before last Saturday when I put Lucky Star on my DVD player. Half way through, I wanted to know everything about him and those who star in it, in particular, the sublime Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor.

It is a usual story, but you won't allowed to find out about it till the finale. Instead, you are gripped by the pace of storytelling and the convincing performance by everybody, especially Charles who played the crippled veteran and Janet in the role of a character bordering 'girl' and young woman. Those scenes where Charles ignited the screen were some of the most memorable ones, and his great versatility proved expressing a good range of emotions within a single shot frame. And those legs when he was struggling to get up and walk, they did look lifeless and dead.

Frank Borzage was claimed a master of cinema. Lucky Star proves the case.

The history of cinema is being rewritten all the time. I mean what if Lucky Star remained 'missing' - as it was believed to be before the original silent version was discovered and restored in Netherland in 1992?

I have to admit though that I was not that impressed by Liliom, also staring Charles Farrell, although I do like the actress who played Julie.