The Ghost of Rosy Taylor (1918) DVD-R
Starring Mary Miles Minter, Allan Forrest, George Periolat, Helen Howard,
Emma Kluge
Directed by Edward Sloman, Henry King
Print: black/white
Runtime: 53 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B
One of the few surviving silent films of director Edward Sloman, The
Ghost of Rosy Taylor contains one of the most powerful opening
sequences in any picture. Two society ladies discuss their servants, with
one of them recommending her new "hired girl" Rosie Taylor. The other
lady reacts with shock and surprise, commenting that Rosie Taylor is
dead. Deciding to investigate, the two dowagers venture into the home
where "Rosie" is supposedly employed, only to be frightened out of their
by a series of eerie "haunted house" noises (brilliant conveyed in
entirely visual terms!) After this powerhouse prologue, the plot proper
begins with a flashback, as heroine Rhoda (Mary Miles Minter), an
American girl who has spent several years in Paris, returns to New York
City without a penny to her name. She comes across a letter of
recommendation for a cleaning woman named Rosy Taylor -- and, in dire
need of money, decides to become Rosy Taylor herself, never realizing
that the real Rosy has long since departed this earth. Rhoda's impulsive
action completely changes not only her life, but the lives of everyone
whom she meets. Despite the substandard quality of available prints, The
Ghost of Rosy Taylor retains its original excellence and entertainment
value. Curiously, director Sloman always considered the film to be one of
his lesser efforts, citing his difficulties in extracting a convincing
performance out of his 17-year-old star Mary Miles Minter. Evidently he
succeeded, since Minter was far more believable here than in any of her
other existing prints -- and whenever her performance falters, Sloman
wisely cuts away to something else (in fact, the editing in this picture is
fantastic, equalling and sometimes exceeding the best of D.W. Griffith).
The Ghost of Rosy Taylor is currently available on video from a variety of
reliable sources.
Starring Mary Miles Minter, Allan Forrest, George Periolat, Helen Howard,
Emma Kluge
Directed by Edward Sloman, Henry King
Print: black/white
Runtime: 53 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B
One of the few surviving silent films of director Edward Sloman, The
Ghost of Rosy Taylor contains one of the most powerful opening
sequences in any picture. Two society ladies discuss their servants, with
one of them recommending her new "hired girl" Rosie Taylor. The other
lady reacts with shock and surprise, commenting that Rosie Taylor is
dead. Deciding to investigate, the two dowagers venture into the home
where "Rosie" is supposedly employed, only to be frightened out of their
by a series of eerie "haunted house" noises (brilliant conveyed in
entirely visual terms!) After this powerhouse prologue, the plot proper
begins with a flashback, as heroine Rhoda (Mary Miles Minter), an
American girl who has spent several years in Paris, returns to New York
City without a penny to her name. She comes across a letter of
recommendation for a cleaning woman named Rosy Taylor -- and, in dire
need of money, decides to become Rosy Taylor herself, never realizing
that the real Rosy has long since departed this earth. Rhoda's impulsive
action completely changes not only her life, but the lives of everyone
whom she meets. Despite the substandard quality of available prints, The
Ghost of Rosy Taylor retains its original excellence and entertainment
value. Curiously, director Sloman always considered the film to be one of
his lesser efforts, citing his difficulties in extracting a convincing
performance out of his 17-year-old star Mary Miles Minter. Evidently he
succeeded, since Minter was far more believable here than in any of her
other existing prints -- and whenever her performance falters, Sloman
wisely cuts away to something else (in fact, the editing in this picture is
fantastic, equalling and sometimes exceeding the best of D.W. Griffith).
The Ghost of Rosy Taylor is currently available on video from a variety of
reliable sources.
| Product Name | The Ghost of Rosy Taylor (1918) DVD-R |
|---|---|
| This item is returnable | No |
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