645. Salome (1922)

*The Warlock is in his lair at the kitchen table on his computer observing noted film critic Tengy giving her critique of a 1922 silent film called SALOME*

T: This one is pretty interesting. Its based on the play by Oscar Wilde and also the look of it is based on the artwork of the fabulous Aubrey Beardsley.

*Warlock takes a swig of Dr. Pepper from his Mega Pint*

T: The other interesting thing about it is it stars Alla Nazimova who was one of the great female stars of her period. She’s also the producer of this movie which was incredibly rare in 1923.

W: Damn right, women weren’t producers back then.

T: This is said to be one of the first American art films.

W: Art film?

*After a while Warlock exits out of the video and spins around*

W: Welcome back to Warlock’s Movie Realm for something completely random. Today we are going to catch the 1922 silent art film SALOME. Why? Tengy recommended it. From what I gather, its an adaptation of an Oscar Wilde play that’s based off the bible story of King Herod. Not only does Alla Nazimova star in it, she’s an uncredited director and producer back when women weren’t known to be producers. Now, “art” films aren’t my thing but any time you get a pre-code movie that pushes the envelope, its always worth a one time look. Now the double good news is its in the Public Domain so I can just film my TV directly and its only 72 minutes long. If it sucks, at least its short. So, can Charles Bryant capture the spirt of Oscar Wilde….and can Oscar Wilde capture the spirit of King Herod? Let’s find out. So grab your popcorn, grab your drink and grab your woman because its time for SALOME.

Written by Oscar Wilde, Natacha Rambova and Alla Nazimova

Directed by Charles Bryant and Alla Nazimova

Cast:

Alla Nazimova	…	Salome – Stepdaughter of Herod (as Nazimova)
	Nigel De Brulier	…	Jokaanan, the Prophet
	Mitchell Lewis	…	Herod, Tetrarch of Judea
	Rose Dione	…	Herodias – wife of Herod
	Earl Schenck	…	Narraboth, Captain of the Guard
	Arthur Jasmine	…	Page of Herodias
	Frederick Peters	…	Naaman, the Executioner
	Louis Dumar	…	Tigellinus

*Warlock reads the tag-line*

W: “Salome, the daughter of Herodias, seduces her step-father/uncle Herod, governor of Judea, with a salacious dance. In return, he promises her the head of the prophet John the Baptist.”

W: At least they’re trying to make it an accurate bible representation