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The Bells (1926)

Posted By: Someonelse

Date: 25 Jul 2023 01:35:43

SD / DVD IMDb

The Bells (1926)
DVD5 | VIDEO_TS | NTSC 4:3 | 01:08:27 | 3,95 Gb
Score AC3 1.0 @ 192 Kbps with English intertitles
Genre: Crime, Horror

Director: James Young
Writers: Alexandre Chatrian (play), Emile Erckmann (play)
Stars: Lionel Barrymore, Caroline Frances Cooke, Boris Karloff

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem. A classic American horror film that combines elements of the traditional ghost story, Poe and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari." "The Bells" (1926, 68 min.) follows an ambitious innkeeper (Lionel Barrymore) on a downward trajectory into insanity after murdering a wealthy traveler to settle his debts. Though he is not suspected of the crime, the innkeeper is haunted by a hypnotist in a traveling carnival (Boris Karloff), and his conscience is tormented by a blood-smeared apparition of the dead man who comes seeking a confession of his own. "The Bells" is digitally mastered from an original tinted-and-toned nitrate 35mm print and backed with a musical score compiled by Eric Beheim.

Also featured on this DVD is the original American edition of Rene Clair's The Crazy Ray (1922, 19 min.), a delightfully surreal fantasy in which an eccentric scientist freezes the population of Paris with a mechanical ray of his own invention.

IMDB | WiKipedia | Amazon

Pure hokum, that’s what The Bells is, 100% pure American unadulterated hokum. This is the kind of silent movie most people think of when they think of silent movies. Start with a plot as old as time itself, spiced gingerly with some Shakespeare and Poe, mix in yet another Dr. Caligari clone, toss in a pinch of over-dramatic acting (make that two pinches), garnish with some truly cheesy special effects (even for 1926), and then, the piece de resistance…have it take place in France (!) and voila…you have The Bells.

The Bells (1926)

Even in 1926 the basic plot of having a family indebted to a sinister bad guy who holds the note on their dwelling and business and will call in that debt unless the beautiful daughter agrees to marry him was creaking with age. That’s precisely the story of The Bells, at least to start. Lionel Barrymore portrays the husband and father with a heart of gold. He owns a tavern and (conveniently) a Lime Kiln. Well, he doesn’t own them yet, and with the way he hands out free drinks to help muster support for his campaign to become Burgermaster, he’s not going too any time soon. Still, everyone in town loves him and there is no doubt that he will become Burgermaster.

The Bells (1926)

That is, until Christmas comes. You see, Barrymore’s notes come due the day after and, naturally, he hasn’t the money. He does have a daughter, though, but she is (again conveniently) in love with the newly appointed Gendarme. Following this so far?, because here’s where things go a bit astray. You see, a stranger has entered Barrymore’s tavern, Christmas night, a rich stranger. Unfortunately for the stranger, it’s his last night, because Barrymore, in a complete change of character, murders the poor guy, and throws his body in the Lime Kiln. (I told you it was convenient.)

The Bells (1926)

Now Barrymore has his money. But he also has this nasty conscience, which takes the form of a badly double-exposed ghost. When the ghost isn’t around to haunt him, Barrymore is cursed with the sound of sleigh bells (hence the title).

The Bells (1926)

You know where this is going of course, but just don’t forget Dr.Caligari’s twin brother Boris Karloff, who plays the menacing “mesmerist” quite well. Too well, in fact, which is why this silly film is often referred to as a “horror movie”. No, really!

The Bells (1926)

The Bells is a great example of a really basic silent film. There is still much to recommend including the scenery and costumes, as well as Eric Beheim’s marvelous score (those menacing sleigh bells and all). And once you’ve been exposed to the very, dare I say it again, con-ven-ient ending, well, you’ll just want to see it again!

The Bells (1926)

A far, far better film is the wonderful Rene Clair short coupled with The Bells, The Crazy Ray (or as seen on the film’s title card, 3:25). Straight out of the Twilight Zone, The Crazy Ray is about a scientist who puts the population of Paris to sleep. All except those who were elevated above the Eiffel Tower at the time he unleashed his ray. That leaves the Eiffel Tower’s watch guard and a handful of passengers who were traveling in a plane over the tower at precisely 3:25. The shots of a sleeping Paris are magnificent atop the Eiffel Tower and there is a breath-taking fight, which takes place up there as well (of the handful of “awake” people, there is only one female…in all of Paris! Of course there’s going to be a fight!) The Crazy Ray is a fabulous film. What it’s doing paired with The Bells is anybodies guess, but hey, who’s complaining?
Digital Silents