It seems that everyone loves to denigrate the films directed by Donald Crisp. Even people who haven't actually seen them are often quick to join in the chorus of dismissal. Yet, on the evidence of "Dress Parade", Crisp emerges not only as a very competent director of acting, but one with a keen visual sense as well, who knows how to take full advantage of his location scenes at West Point with neat framing (love that shot of Boyd in silhouette disconsolately observing the parade), pans across the chapel and even elaborate tracking shots gliding most effectively with Boyd's touring car.
True, the story is now a mighty familiar one, but my major quarrel is not with the directing or the acting or the film's excellent production values, but with the way Bessie Love is most unflatteringly photographed by J. Peverell Marley, who presents her as such a plain Jane (even in Adrian costumes) that one wonders what the handsome, personable, cocky yet ingratiating Boyd sees in such a hopelessly gawky lass.
True, the story is now a mighty familiar one, but my major quarrel is not with the directing or the acting or the film's excellent production values, but with the way Bessie Love is most unflatteringly photographed by J. Peverell Marley, who presents her as such a plain Jane (even in Adrian costumes) that one wonders what the handsome, personable, cocky yet ingratiating Boyd sees in such a hopelessly gawky lass.