The Circle *** (1925, Eleanor Boardman, Creighton Hale, Malcolm McGregor, Alec B Francis, Eugenie Besserer, George Fawcett, Otto Hoffman, Joan Crawford) – Classic Movie Review 7467

Director Frank Borzage brings W Somerset Maugham’s 1921 stage hit The Circle to the screen with some great moments between Eleanor Boardman as Elizabeth Cheney and Creighton Hale as Arnold Cheney in this beautifully shot 1925 MGM silent movie.

The 21-year-old Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur) appears in a limited role in the prologue as young Lady Catherine. It is her first featured role and is the first film to feature her under her new screen name, picked from the winning entry in a Photoplay magazine contest. She does not yet have her definitive hair and makeup, finally established in Our Dancing Daughters (1928).

The nicely, intricately plotted story concerns marital infidelities between an old noble family and a nouveau riche family. It starts in the 1890s when young Lady Catherine (Joan Crawford) decides to leave her husband and her young son Arnold (Buddy Smith) for her lover Lord Hughie Porteous (George Fawcett).

Then 30 years later, Elizabeth Cheney (Eleanor Boardman) is deciding between her husband, the grown-up Arnold (Creighton Hale), and her lover Teddy Lutton (Malcolm McGregor) just as Arnold’s mother Lady Catherine (Eugenie Besserer) and lover Lord Porteous are coming to visit.

Director Borzage elicits fine silent-movie performances, and ensures a meticulous production, but obviously the silents aren’t golden for the Maugham witticisms.

The main cast are Eleanor Boardman as Elizabeth Cheney, Malcolm McGregor as Edward ‘Teddy’ Lutton, Alec B Francis as Lord Clive Cheney, Eugenie Besserer as Lady Catherine ‘Kitty’ Cheney, George Fawcett as Lord Hugh ‘Hughie’ Porteous, Creighton Hale as Arnold Cheney, Otto Hoffman as Dorker, Eulalie Jensen as Mrs Alice Shenstone, Buddy Smith as Young Arnold, Joan Crawford as Young Lady Catherine, Frank Braidwood as Young Porteous and Derek Glynne as Young Cheney.

The Circle is directed by Frank Borzage, runs 71 minutes, is made and released by MGM, is written by Kenneth B Clarke, based on W Somerset Maugham’s play, is shot in black and white by Chester A Lyons, and is designed by Cedric Gibbons and James Basevi.

MGM filmed Maugham’s play again in 1930 as the early sound film Strictly Unconventional.

The film survives in excellent condition.

You can see it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D62vd0X8FM&feature=youtu.be

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7467

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