"SONG OF THE EAGLE" (1933)

[rmichaelpyle]

There are films out there that make you wonder: why haven't I heard of or why haven't I seen this film before? Why is it that it has fallen through the cracks? Last night I watched such a film, from 1933, called "Song of the Eagle". It stars Charles Bickford, Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Louise Dresser, and especially Jean Hersholt. Among the many, many character actors in the piece were Andy Devine, George E. Stone, Gene Morgon, and George Meeker. The other racketeers in the film are played by some of Hollywood's best character actors who are seen in hundreds of 30's productions. This one begins in the middle of the nineteen teens as a German beer proprietor in America plys his trade with his two sons at his side. The German proprietor is played by Jean Hersholt. His sons are Richard Arlen and George Meeker. His wife is played by Louise Dresser - in a role perfectly suited to her, and well done at that. His best driver is Charles Bickford. World War I happens, and one of the sons - George Meeker - is killed. Meanwhile, the 18th Amendment is passed and goes into effect. Prohibition begins. Now comes the divisiveness that drives the rest of the film. Charles Bickford becomes a racketeer - a very successful one at that - and the family makes near beer and fights the racketeers just the same. Then Prohibition ends. Now the fighting on a very tough level - among former employees and the family, of course - begins. The story is told almost as though it were a documentary, and though 1939's "The Roaring Twenties" did the same kind of exposé, it was much more of a shoot-em-up, rough-house story with Cagney and Bogart. This one is much more historically oriented and softer, with a family edge, so to speak. It is very well done and should be much better known. Directed by Ralph Murphy, this is Hollywood with a punch that forgot to invite the audience. It's the audience who loses as a result. One gets used to seeing Charles Bickford bluster his way through films; sometimes it becomes overbearing. Here we see a much finer actor than usual restrain himself in a naturally tough part. It plays well and one actually has a modicum of feeling toward this ultimate no-good. It's what may actually have happened several times during this awkward period in American history. Jean Hersholt is marvelous as the German beer baron. Louise Dresser is good in anything she's in. Mary Brian's part is cut to the bone and is the only thing that really is lacking in the story. She's there, but I would like to have seen more of her. Richard Arlen simply has a leading role and plays it well. But he could have sleep-walked through it. The story is what is played out here, and maybe because it doesn't showcase any actor or actress more than another, it doesn't rate with critics. I'm just not sure... But - if you have the opportunity, spend the 90 minutes with this film. You'll look back and wonder: why haven't I seen this before?