If you are a silent film fan, definitely consider Allan Dwan’s “Zaza” and discover one of many films featuring legendary actress, Gloria Swanson. Recommended!
© 1923 Paramount Pictures. 2017 KINO LORBER. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Zaza
DATE OF FILM RELEASE: 1923
DURATION: 84 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p (1:33:1 Aspect Ratio), B&W,
COMPANY: Kino Lorber
RATED: Not Rated
RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2017
Based on the Play by Pierre Berton and Charles Simon
Directed by Allan Dwan
Written by Albert S. Le Vino
Produced by Allan Dwan
Executive Producer: Adolph Zukor
Music Performed by Jeff Rapsis
Cinematography by Harold Rosson
Starring:
Gloria Swanson as Zaza
H. B. Warner as Bernard Dufresne
Ferdinand Gottschalk as Duke de Brissac
Lucille La Verne as Aunt Rosa
Mary Thurman as Florianne
Yvonne Hughes as Nathalie, Zaza’s Maid
Riley Hatch as Rigault
L. Rogers Lytton as Stage Manager
Gloria Swanson is all flounce and swagger as Zaza, a street gamine turned music hall star, strutting her stuff, tossing off quips and taunts with her irrepressible backside, which is sometimes adorned with a pert bow for emphasis. Over the course of the film, directed by Allan Dwan (Robin Hood), she engages in two knock-down drag-out cat fights, frisks through playful love scenes, writhes in a hospital bed, nurses a broken heart, and evolves into a soberly dignified woman. Her physicality dominates the film, which does not suffer from being essentially a well-crafted frame for her performance. Swanson s ebullience in Zaza was unfeigned; she called it the fastest, easiest, most enjoyable picture I ever made. Imogen Sara Smith
Back in 1899, the French play “Zaza” had entertained audiences. So, popular that the play was produced on Broadway and the first film adaptation was released by Paramount in 1915.
While there were a few more adaptations of “Zaza” created, in 1923, a silent romantic drama directed and produced by Allan Dwan (“Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”, “Sands of Iwo Jima”, “Robin Hood”) and executive produced by Adolph Zukor was released.
Starring Gloria Swanson (“Sunset Boulevard”, “Queen Kelly”, “The Trespasser”, “Indiscreet”), H.B. Warner (“It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Sunset Boulevard”, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”), Ferdinand Gottschalk (“Grand Hotel”, “Les Miserables”, “Tonight or Never”), Lucille La Verne, Mary Thurman, Yvonne Hughes, Riley Hatch and L. Rogers Lytton.
And a print of the film is housed at the George Eastman House and the Library of Congress.
During this time, Gloria Swanson was the most sought-after actress in Hollywood and a box office draw for Paramount. In fact, what she wore on screen influenced fashion all over the world.
And now the silent classic will be released on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
“Zaza” is set in France and begins with showing us how Zaza (portrayed by Gloria Swanson) is a popular performer with a temperament. Often taking things out on her maid Nathalie (portrayed by Mary Thurman) when she loses things and is frustrated, when she is kind, she can be a major giver of fine jewelry to her maid.
Meanwhile, many men desire Zaza including Duke de Brissac (portrayed by Ferdinand Gottschalk) but the only man Zaza is interested in is Bernard Dufresne (portrayed by H.B. Warner) of the diplomatic corps. Who often comes to visit the stage as he also fancies Zaza.
While Florianne (portrayed by Mary Thurman), Zaza’s stage rival, was once popular in the Odeon, she also fancies Dufresne.
At the show, it was said whoever catches Zaza’s shoe can be with her and when one man comes to claim his “prize”, he manhandles Zaza, in which Bernard Dufresne comes to her rescue.
But as both Zaza and Florianne vie for Dufresne’s attention, which woman will win?
Meanwhile, what secrets is Bernard hiding from Zaza? And will the fact that Bernard lives far from Zaza affect any chance of a relationship?
VIDEO:
“Zaza” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:331 aspect ratio) and is presented in black and white. The quality of the film on Blu-ray is very good in terms of clarity and sharpness. The film is does have scratches but for the most part, the film looks very good on Blu-ray considering its over 90-years old.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Zaza” is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and the music presented for this release is a wonderful piano score by Jeff Rapsis.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Zaza” comes with the following special feature:
- Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Frederic Lombardi (author of Allan Dwan and the Rise and Decline of the Hollywood Studios)
A silent romantic drama about love discovered, distance that hinders romance but secrets that can tear people apart.
This is the story of “Zaza”, among one of the well-known silent films starring the legendary actress Gloria Swanson and actor H.B. Warner and also one of the last films to star Mary Thurman (who could come down with pneumonia working on a film a year later and would die from complications from the illness the following year), who was also engaged to the film’s director, Allan Dwan.
In some ways, since the film is based on a play, the film can also get a little bit of exhausting wondering if these two individuals, Swanson’s Zaza and Warner’s Dufresne would be together.
While Zaza comes off as impetuous and bombastic early in the film, we see her character transform. Transformed by love, by jealousy, by anger and by sadness. Gloria Swanson had to no doubt show various sides of Zaza and for the most part, it was a very well-done performance. From emotional to even action as she and Thurman’s Florianne engage in a few tussles onscreen.
H.B. Warner plays a stoic Bernard Dufresne. A man who is captivated by Zaza but there is something preventing him from going to far in his relationship wtih Zaza, which we find out the truth later in the film.
The film on Blu-ray features wonderful detail for the film over 90-years old and for its lossless audio, you get a piano score composed and performed by Jeff Rapsis, adapted from the original 1923 cue sheet. And also included is a very informative audio commentary by Frederic Lombardi.
Overall, I really welcome Allan Dwan’s “Zaza” on Blu-ray. One of the things that I hope to see is more silent actresses films on Blu-ray. There have been so much focus on Chaplin, Keaton, Harold Lloyd, on Blu-ray, which is understandable but it would be nice to see more Pickford, more Swanson, more Gish, Bow, Brooks, Talmadge, Normand, Davies, Bara, Thomas, to name a few on Blu-ray. So, Gloria Swanson’s “Zaza” on Blu-ray is a major plus and hopefully this means more silent actress greats and their films will be featured on Blu-ray in the near future.
If you are a silent film fan, definitely consider Allan Dwan’s “Zaza” and discover one of many films featuring legendary actress, Gloria Swanson. Recommended!
