Don Juan (1926)

Directed by Alan Crosland. Starring John Barrymore, Mary Astor, Estelle Taylor, Montagu Love, Warner Oland, Josef Swickard, Willard Louis, Jane Winton.

Fun but erratically-paced silent romantic swashbuckler with John Barrymore at his raffish best as the famous lover, instructed by his scoundrel of a father (also played by Barrymore) to be an unfeeling lothario: “This is my legacy to you—beware of giving your love to women…go out into the world and take their love when it please you, smile, and forget.” Not even the man whose name became synonymous for shallow but skilled lovers the world over can hold to his love-‘em-and-leave-‘em bargain forever, and he stokes the wrath of a predatory noblewoman (Taylor) when he becomes enchanted by Astor. Some all-too-obvious symbolism and slack movement during the love scenes aside, a lively and lavish costumer. Speedy, stylish swordfight between Barrymore and Love ranks among the best of the silent era. Although lacking in spoken dialogue, this was the first feature film with synchronized Vitaphone score and sound effects. Myrna Loy has a small role as a lady in waiting.

74/100