While we can hope that more silent films starring Gloria Swanson will be found and restored, one can at least be happy that “Zaza”, “Manhandled” and “Star Struck” are available on Blu-ray. And for silent film fans, these three films are definitely worth owning!
© 1924 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Manhandled
DATE OF FILM RELEASE: 1924
DURATION: 63 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p (1:33:1 Aspect Ratio), DTS HD-Master Audio, B&W, English Intertitles
COMPANY: Kino Lorber
RATED: Not Rated
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2018
Based on the story by Sidney R. Kent, Arthur Stringer
Directed by Allan Dwan
Screenplay by Frank Tuttle
Adaptation by Sylvia LaVarre
Produced by Allan Dwan
Cinematography by Harold Rosson
Edited by Julian Johnson
Starring:
Gloria Swanson as Tessie McGuire
Tom Moore as Jim Hogan
Lilyan Tashman as Pinkie Moran
Ian Keith as Robert Brandt
Arthur Housman as Chip Thorndyke
Paul McAllister as Paul Garretson
Frank Morgan as Arno Riccardi
Manhandled is an uproarious comedy from silent screen legend Gloria Swanson. Her most successful collaboration with director Allan Dwan (Stage Struck, Zaza), it tells the story of Tessie McGuire (Swanson), a down-on-her-luck salesgirl who climbs the social ladder by pretending to be a Russian countess. Tessie is a working class gal whose boyfriend Jimmy (Tom Moore) stands her up on a date, so she goes to a sculptor’s party instead, where her skill with mimicry makes her a hit. She is hired by a fashionable dressmaking establishment to use her acting skills on their customers. By impersonating a Russian noblewoman she has men at her beck and call. That is, until some authentic Russians arrive, and her scheme is truly put to the test. Manhandled is presented in the most complete version available.
In 1925, director Allan Dwan was one of the more popular directors for Paramount Pictures, known for directing films starring Mary Pickford and also Douglas Fairbanks for his 1922 film “Robin Hood”.
And would transition to sound films starring Shirley Temple and also would directing the highly acclaimed John Wayne 1949 box office hit, “Sands of Iwo Jima”.
But during the silent film era and in the 1920’s, he is known for directing films starring one of the most wanted, one of the most successful actresses and fashion icon, Gloria Swanson in eight feature films and one short film.
In fact, she is considered the screen’s first clothes horse (i.e. fashionista) and she was photographed and featured in numerous publications during that time.
And the working relationship between Dwan and Swanson was solid at the time and they would work together in the 1924 Paramount Pictures film “Manhandled”, which would also star Tom Moore, Lilyan Tashman, Ian Keith, Arthur Housman, Paul McAllister and Frank Morgan.
The film is based off the story by Sidney R. Kent and Arthur Stringer and a featuring a screenplay by Frank Tuttle.
And now “Manhandled”was released with its new 2K remaster on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The film begins with Gloria Swanson as Tessie McGuire. She works hard for her money but often has a bad day with a car splashing dirty water on her outfit and riding the transportation with lecherous men doesn’t help for the start of her day.
She just wants to be with her man, Jim Hogan (portrayed by Tom Moore) but Tom Moore is busy working on an invention and will be busy the next two weeks hoping to sell the invention, make money and take care of his girlfriend.
And for Tessie, it’s not easy as she really wants to go out somewhere with Jim but she understands, he is busy. She just doesn’t like being neglected.
One day while telling things the way it is at her job, she and her co-worker are invited by their boss to attend a party. She pretends to be a Russian duchess and she is instantly hired by an expensive department store to attract new customers.
And while her boyfriend is gone to sell the invention, she starts to make money but she also gets manhandled by men who want to be with her.
VIDEO:
“Manhandled” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:33:1 aspect ratio) and is black and white. The quality of the film on Blu-ray is fantastic with no sign of any significant film damage of warping. Considering the age of this film, one can expect to see the usual scratches and specks from each frame but considering how good this film looks for a silent film (and considering that a huge percentage of silent films are in bad shape or considered lost due to significant damage or nitrate fires), this is the best version to watch of “Manhandled”.
Mastered in 2K from 16mm film elements preserved by the Lobster Films, Paris and Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive (IULMIA). Footage from the various cuts were combined to make the most complete version possible as no 35mm film elements are known to survive. The film doesn’t suffer any major damage and overall, the film looks great in HD.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Manhandled” is presented with English intertitles and features a piano score composed and performed by Makio Matsumura featured in DTS-HD Master Audio.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Manhandled” comes with the following special feature:
- Audio Commentary – Featuring an audio commentary by film historian Gaylyn Studlar.
EXTRAS:
Featuring a booklet essay by film historian Peter Labuza.
“Manhandled” is another solid collaboration between Gloria Swanson and director Allan Dwan.
If anything, the film is benefited thanks to the performance of Gloria Swanson.
An expert at using physical comedy and also knowing how to work the camera, the film is another example of why she was one of America’s most dominating actresses on the big screen and why she was a fashion icon.
While not the best Gloria Swanson film, the film relies on Swanson’s performance as a blunt employee, a caring yet neglected girlfriend and also showing an individual side of her making her own money and all seems to go well when she is hired by a fashionable dressmaking establishment to use her acting skills to win customers.
By pretending to be a Russian Duchess, everything goes well until real Russians arrive and can Tessie McGuire continue with the scheme?
For the most part, with two remastered films released simultaneously on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, both are good films, with “Stage Struck” being a much better film storywise. And of the Allan Dwan films available on Blu-ray, one will definitely want to check out the 1923 film “Zaza” which is available on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
“Manhandled” is great in a way that you can see life at a department store during that era and also be in awe of how magnificent of an actress Gloria Swanson was and why she was one of actresses high in demand. This performance is quite evident, if anything a mere vehicle for her to shine.
But one can only hope someday the other Allan Dwan/Gloria Swanson films such as “A Society Scandal”, “The Coast of Folly”, “Wages of Virtue” and “Her Love Story”will be found.  Gloria Swanson is a magnificent actresses, but it’s a shame that so many of her silent films are considered lost.
While we can hope that more silent films starring Gloria Swanson will be found and restored, one can at least be happy that “Zaza”, “Manhandled” and “Star Struck” are available on Blu-ray. And for silent film fans, these three films are definitely worth owning!
