I just saw this film (once considered "lost") for the very first time. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise--a genre hybrid combining its major "disaster" theme with that of a "survival against all odds" idea touched with a pre-code permissiveness that would allow the shapely Peggy Shannon to be barely clothed at times. Deluge is generally considered to be the first sound "disaster" movie made in Hollywood, and is well remembered for its primitive but effective special effects and creative use of miniature models to simulate the destruction of New York City.
Deluge is all the more impressive when recognized as the first feature film directed by the then 27 year old Felix Feist. He would go on to a rather undistinguished career made notable by his helming of several movie shorts in the Pete Smith Specialties and Passing Parade series.
Leading lady Peggy Shannon--a year younger than Feist at 26--bore a slight resemblance to Lee Remick. She might have had a major career based on her attractive performance in Deluge. Alas, the cumulative effects of alcoholism would bring it to a halt and unfulfilled at the age of 34. A few weeks after her death, her second husband committed suicide.
Leading man Sidney Blackmer--age 38 when he made Deluge--next appeared as one of the three villains in the Robert Donat classic version of The Count of Monte Cristo. He went on to enjoy a long and successful film and Broadway stage career highlighted by numerous portrayals of President Theodore Roosevelt. Blackmer originated the role of Doc on Broadway in Come Back, Little Sheba.
Secondary female lead Lois Wilson will be remembered by silent film fans as one of the stars of the Western classic The Covered Wagon directed by James Cruze.
Principal supporting actor Fred Kohler, Sr. Was one of the screen's greatest "nasties." Few could convey an aura of scary menace as well as he did. Kohler's son (Fred, Jr.) picked up where he left off.
The early pre-disaster segment of Deluge featured two fine character actors--Samuel S. Hinds and Edward Van Sloan. Hinds is probably best remembered as James Stewart's father in It's A Wonderful Life. Van Sloan will always be recalled as the vampire hunter in the original film version of Dracula.
In 1936-just three years after Deluge was made--MGM released the memorable disaster-melodrama blockbuster San Francisco. The improvements in special effects "magic" evidenced in the latter film over the earlier one are astonishing. But the longest journey has to start with the first step.
Deluge is all the more impressive when recognized as the first feature film directed by the then 27 year old Felix Feist. He would go on to a rather undistinguished career made notable by his helming of several movie shorts in the Pete Smith Specialties and Passing Parade series.
Leading lady Peggy Shannon--a year younger than Feist at 26--bore a slight resemblance to Lee Remick. She might have had a major career based on her attractive performance in Deluge. Alas, the cumulative effects of alcoholism would bring it to a halt and unfulfilled at the age of 34. A few weeks after her death, her second husband committed suicide.
Leading man Sidney Blackmer--age 38 when he made Deluge--next appeared as one of the three villains in the Robert Donat classic version of The Count of Monte Cristo. He went on to enjoy a long and successful film and Broadway stage career highlighted by numerous portrayals of President Theodore Roosevelt. Blackmer originated the role of Doc on Broadway in Come Back, Little Sheba.
Secondary female lead Lois Wilson will be remembered by silent film fans as one of the stars of the Western classic The Covered Wagon directed by James Cruze.
Principal supporting actor Fred Kohler, Sr. Was one of the screen's greatest "nasties." Few could convey an aura of scary menace as well as he did. Kohler's son (Fred, Jr.) picked up where he left off.
The early pre-disaster segment of Deluge featured two fine character actors--Samuel S. Hinds and Edward Van Sloan. Hinds is probably best remembered as James Stewart's father in It's A Wonderful Life. Van Sloan will always be recalled as the vampire hunter in the original film version of Dracula.
In 1936-just three years after Deluge was made--MGM released the memorable disaster-melodrama blockbuster San Francisco. The improvements in special effects "magic" evidenced in the latter film over the earlier one are astonishing. But the longest journey has to start with the first step.