Peter Pan, as directed in 1924 by Herbert Brenon, had an odd bit of casting, as Peter was played by the diminutive Betty Bronson, and gave its lead her first starring role.
Come to think of it, Peter was played by two other actresses, for television broadcast, three and nine decades later.
As fate would have it, the Paramount production has survived in 35mm, and is being offered by Kino Classics as part of their ever-growing silent program.
Shot by the great James Wong Howe, the imagery survives in a quality form, and is a welcome addition to the library of those who admire soundless cinema.
The extras include an interview with Esther Ralston, who played Mrs. Darling.
I’ve oft wondered how Wendy, as played by Mary Brian, didn’t sense that something was a bit “off” with Peter. The two actresses were the same age, both born in 1906.
Nonetheless, a wonderful, un-Disney version of the J.M. Barrie play.
Tinkerbell was played by Virginia Brown Faire (Fair), a 20 year-old actress. Was that her name before she took on the role?
Image – 4
Audio – n/a
Pass / Fail – Pass
Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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