the garden of eden (exa) dvd Italian Import

When I mentioned a friend that I had ordered through Amazon.com, Corinne Griffith's DVD of "The Garden of Eden" (1928-United Artists), the only of her movies available on the market, on any "format" (VHS/DVD/Laserdisc too?)...and one of the few chances to watch this silent legend in her glory (TCM is the only channel? which airs sometimes, two of her films: Frank Lloyd's "The Divine Lady" and "Back Pay"?), she went in awe, I think she said she was going to buy it or rent it right away!!Well, I have seen the DVD in its entirety, and Silent Film Lovers, this is a Gem, a "Fabergé Egg".This Comedy-Drama is truly highly enjoyable, It made smile & laugh lots of times, it's charming, cute, elegant, I don't know..I haven't seen too many silent films, but I feel this one belongs to the "superior" category. It has sort of a kind of "Lubistch's" touch...Lewis Milestone's direction is deft.Corinne's interpretation of a viennesse ingenue who travels to Budapest to become an Opera Star is so good! I didn't expect that much....The Cast is great: Lowell Sherman as a lecherous Rich Man, Marvellous Louise Dresser as the heroine's sort of "surrogate" mother, Charles Ray as her love interest, Edward Martindel (great as Charles Ray's Uncle)....Maude George...Won't tell you anymore about the plot, don't want to give away its surprises.The Bonuses are a topic apart. Never had seen so much "worthwhile" bonuses: extensive text excerpts, lobby cards, memorabilia, promotional stuff, from the original press book of the film, etc. Contemporary (1928) biographies of all the six principal players. Lots of info!!!The digitally recorded score by the composer Robert Israel, is grandiose...excellent, what a joy to watch this film with such a "right" score, which also "sounds" so well.The print is in-all very good, there are some portions which are more damaged, but in the whole, it's greatly restored. I'd say the quality of the copy, surpasses what they did with "Sunrise"...It's quality is similar to "Evangeline's" (1929-Image), perhaps a little inferior, but I repeat, in the whole great.There are also original promotional photographs and production stills from the state of Lewis Milestone.Furthermore, there's a lost bi-color technicolor dream sequence of Corinne, when she's travelling by train (where she imagines herself as a "Prima Donna"), which is thoroughly analyzed in an "exploration", which contains still photos, original press book excerpts and promotional images.And if all this wasn't enough, you get two shorts, one filmed in early bi-color technicolor...a charming cutie called "The Toy Shop", a tale made by Tiffany-Stahl Studios (of Poverty Row) and another one, sort of a "documentary" of architectural styles & "pop culture" in 1927 Hollywood & L.A. (B&W or sepia toned) called "Hollywood The Unusual", a sort of travelogue of a lost era!In all a experience not to be missed! Really, this time when you read on the cover of the DVD: "DeLuxe DVD Edition", it is true as it is stated!A must!!

Nice to re-live my Mothers movies

I was going title my review "A Sheer Delight," but in another critique listed here Graceann beat me to it! So I can only second that assessment!I recently attended a library-sponsored film series, where the speaker said he hadn't programmed comedies because they don't age well and he doesn't find them funny. Well, that film expert hasn't seen *Garden of Eden* (nor, apparently *Gold Diggers of 1935*).I was interested in this film because I'd researched the career of Lewis Milestone years ago, and also because my Amazon travels have introduced me to the hitherto unfamiliar Lowell Sherman--who, when directing himself in one early talkie, seemed a mirror of John Barrymore, only to turn out to be Barrymore's real-life brother-in-law. Sherman is a tad more youthful in this late silent, but his sound films allow him to use his voice to considerable comedic effect.Watching this silent, I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. And just when it looks like they're about to repeat a joke from an earlier plot segment, they take the story into new territory. I fear I'm of an age and temperament that doesn't equate "film comedy" with the current American trend in bodily function humor. In contrast, this film manages to be just plain funny from start to finish--and risque on its own terms.If in the future I organize my own library-film-society series on the movie musical, I'll open with *Garden of Eden*--yes, a SILENT musical! Abetted by an excellent music accompaniment on this DVD.One final observation: contemporary audiences might find the color short subject "The Toy Shop" disturbing, which is more of a commentary on our own "sophisticated decadence" than on the admitted sentimentalism of that earlier time.

I am not a big silent movie fan but I like the setting and time period they portray. This one has been beautifully restored with a crisp b/w picture that does not disappoint. Remember this is close to 100 years old and still looks great. The story is too complex to describe here but a little long. The delivery was fast and packaged nicely. Interesting time capsule and worth a watch.

I am just beginning to appreciate silent films. This is a romantic film that is somewhat over acted in the manner of the time. Quality of the film is not top rate but I think that it was the best available. Worth watching for a feel of what people enjoyed. It was a period when actors and actresses tended to 'overact' but many had been trained in theatre and were still learning how to work on film. I enjoyed seeing Europe of the a long lost period and the film is fun! Give it a try.

I saw this film on television when I was a boy, shall we say several decades ago, and never forgotten it. I am really pleased to at long last have it on a good DVD. The film is based on a successful Broadway play. It's well acted and the humor works for today's audiences. Very much worth a try.

nice DVD, arrived on time, just as described