Way Down East ** (1935, Rochelle Hudson, Henry Fonda, Slim Summerville) – Classic Movie Review 10,380

Director Henry King’s 1935 Way Down East is a mostly dull and soppy Fox Studio sound version remake of D W Griffith’s famous 1920 silent melodrama Way Down East about a done-wrong-by young woman called Anna Moore (Rochelle Hudson) saved from suicide and shame by the nice Maine farmer David Bartlett (Henry Fonda).

Other than the perceived need for a modern sound version remake, Way Down East is a pretty pointless re-interpretation that fails to compare with the original or stand up much on its own merits, though naturally the young Fonda is worth a look, with his sincere performance, and so are character stars Slim Summerville, Edward Trevor, Margaret Hamilton, Andy Devine, Spring Byington, and Russell Simpson.

The screenplay by Howard Estabrook and William Hurlbut, based on a play by Lottie Blair Parker, is very weak and the antique material is hopelessly outmoded, though it does build to an exciting finish.

Way Down East is all too frayed and rather tatty-looking now overall, although is is decently made by craftsman Henry King, and there is some good work on the cinematography by Ernest Palmer and production designs by William S Darling.

Also in the cast are Astrid Allwyn, Sara Haden, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, Al Lydell, Harry C Bradley, Phil La Toska, Clem Bevans, Ann Doran, Nora Cecil, George B French, Kay Hammond, Vera Lewis, Florence Gill, Lucille Ward, Brenda Fowler, Claire Whitney, Louis King, and William Borzage.

Way Down East is directed by Henry King, runs 80 minutes, is made by Fox Film Corporation, is released by Fox Film Corporation (1935) (US), is written by Howard Estabrook and William Hurlbut, based on a play by Lottie Blair Parker, is shot in black and white by Ernest Palmer, is produced by Winfield R Sheehan, is scored by Oscar Bradley (musical director) and is designed by William S Darling.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,380

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