From Amazon.com
J.M. Barrie's play about the boy who refused to grow up has become a stage classic and a revival standard, but in the movies Disney's animated musical version remains the most famous incarnation. Nearly forgotten is the original 1924 live-action version, a lavish silent fantasy that captures the fairy tale magic of flying children, wicked pirates, and a wondrous storybook land where kids never grow up. Tomboyish Betty Bronson, with an innocent smile and a mischievous spontaneity, is the eternally adolescent boy while towering Ernest Torrence (the burly comic actor best known as Buster Keaton's gruff father in
Steamboat Bill Jr.) plays a gleefully flamboyant Captain Hook. This faithful adaptation flies from the Darling nursery to the thick tangle of the Lost Boys' forest, where elaborate, cartoonishly exaggerated animal costumes wander the trails and a floating ball of fairy light reveals herself as a lovely, petite girl in a gossamer gown and glowing hair. A curious thread of American patriotism peaks in the pirate ship climax when the Lost Boys replace the Jolly Roger with the stars and stripes and fly the ship into the stars. Long thought lost, a beautiful 35mm print was recovered years ago and serves as the basis for this restoration. Anna May Wong costars as Princess Tiger Lily, and a fine new score by Philip C. Carli accompanies the film.
The DVD also features a 30-minute interview with costar Esther Ralston, an essay by film historian Frederick C. Szebin, and a treasure-trove of archival stills and promotion materials in a photo gallery. --Sean Axmaker
Review
Filmed before a live audience, this video adaptation of Peter Pan captures the magic of the long-running Broadway stage show on which it is based. Former American gymnast Cathy Rigby portrays Peter, as she did in the Broadway hit in the 1990s. Those who have never seen her perform will be delightfully surprised with her versatility. Not only does she frolic and dance with Olympian athletic ability, but she also sings marvelously (rumors that she lip-synchs are untrue) and speaks with a bloody good British accent to boot. But above all, it is her exuberance as the high-flying, ever-mischievous Peter that captivates the audience. When she zooms through the window of the Darling family's nursery for the first time, dive-bombing and flip-flopping, she establishes a joyful rapport with the audience that does not let up until the final curtain comes down. Oh, yes, there are those who prefer the legendary Mary Martin as Peter, maintaining that she played the role with more poignancy during her Broadway run in the 1950s. But, aw heck -- the Rigby version is fun, and kids seem to love it. The 104-minute video, directed by Glen Castle, features movie-quality special effects and wonderful song-and-dance numbers, including "I'm Flying" and "I Won't Grow Up." ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
