Elissa Landi and David Manners in THE WARRIOR'S HUSBAND (1933)
Can't review the movie or give any details of it because the movie is out of circulation. There is a 16mm print that's been shown in museums but it never surfaced on TV or any home release or even bootleg. Not even a trailer. It's a shame because I'd love to see it. It's based on a successful play which starred Katherine Hepburn who didn't play the role for the movie. Elissa Landi, of SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932), starred in the lead role. I'm sure it wouldn't be missing in action if Hepburn had been in it. Can only say, from the photos, that it looks great. There were so few PEPLUM movies in 1930s that any missing title from that decade is a sad thing.
The title is a play on words...in that a warrior wouldn't have a 'husband' (even though Spartan warriors did have 'partners'). The warrior in this story is an Amazonian warrior (Landi). Today, that 'comical' significance would be lost since same sex marriage laws. The story would be seen as politically incorrect.
It's also the only pre-HERCULES (1958) movie from Hollywood featuring Hercules, played by Tiny Sandford (last photo). Prior to the Steve Reeves movie, Hercules was often portrayed as some sort of caveman-like, barrel-chested man.
Thanks. Most interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think the rights to the play are in question which is why it hasn't shown up on video or on TV. I saw it once many years ago and it is interesting but terribly dated.
ReplyDeleteOkay, thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI had a bootleg on youtube, but it was taken down by the MOMA in total disregard of youtube's rules (no third party takedowns).
ReplyDeleteIt was kinda low quality but still distinguishable.