Don Juan **** (1926, John Barrymore, Mary Astor, Warner Oland, Estelle Taylor, Myrna Loy, Phyllis Haver) – Classic Movie Review 5062

‘The Scientific Marvel VITAPHONE Presentation FAMED OPERATIC AND MUSICAL ARTISTS…and JOHN BARRYMORE in DON JUAN. ‘

Director Alan Crosland’s 1926 classic stars John Barrymore, whose thrilling silent swashbuckler was the first film to be released with a completely synchronised soundtrack of music and sound effects (originally on records), which caused a shock wave and brought on the talkies.

Silent superstar and renowned screen romancer Barrymore, then at the height of his fame, cuts a splendid dash as Lord Byron’s Don Juan in colourful encounters with Warner Oland as Cesare Borgia, Estelle Taylor as Lucretia Borgia, Myrna Loy as scheming lady-in-waiting Mai and lovely Mary Astor as Adriana, the maid for whose sake Don Juan reforms.

Barrymore gives 191 kisses during the film!

Also in the cast are Phyllis Haver, Willard Louis, Montagu Love, Hedda Hopper, Jane Winton, John Roche, Josef Swickard, Nigel de Brulier, Helene Costello, Philippe de Lacy, Emily Fitzroy, Gibson Gowland, Gustav von Seyffertitz and Helen Lee Worthing.

The original score was by William Axt and David Mendoza. It is written by Bess Meredyth, Walter Anthony and Maude Fulton, shot in black and white by Byron Haskin, produced by Jack Warner, designed by Ben Carré, and released by Warner Bros.

A Warner Bros Archive Collection DVD is available and it also shows on TCM in the 112 minute Turner library print.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5062

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