Merry-Go-Round (1923)

I cannot give this Movie more than a 5 out of 10, because it is a hoax, that apparently many people bought, like most reviewers here present.The first half of the film quite frankly depicts the Life of the upper class as that of swines. The same goes for bosses but on a smaller scale. The boss, quite properly, is taken care of by a Urang-GU-tan. The upper class, quite improperly, is not taken care of at all. This is where this film becomes a hoax, with a sadistic twist. Why would a man on his Death bed curse a man for breaking a wedding promise - surely there must have been more than that, but this film does not show it unless you Think that the couple, off-screen, were engaging in carnal knowledge in the middle of the park. Everything is blown ridiculously out of proportion to make room for the noble Noble-man, too ridiculous to be believed, if you remember the first half of the film.My guess is, that Stroheim was taken off the Project because he had quite Another ending in mind than that shown here, which is for idiots to Believe in.

The film is set in pre-WWI Vienna. A Count (Norman Kerry) is expected by the Emperor to marry a certain Countess . However, he doesn't love her and would much rather act like a playboy. However, he meets up with a poor organ grinder and falls for her (Mary Philbin). This lady and her family lead a rather sad life at the Prater amusement park, as their boss is a total sadist and treats them more like slaves than employees. This mistreatment comes to a head when the boss pushes too far. He not only won't let Philbin and her father off work when the mother is dying, but soon afterwords he beats Philbin so badly that the father stabs the evil boss to stop this. Unfortunately, the police catch the father and jailed--though he was acting to save his daughter.Later, Philbin just happens to meet Kerry once again. She tells him what has befallen her father and he decides to use is influence to help them. Unfortunately, in the process he falls head over heels for her and must have her...but what about the marriage?! In the meantime, Kerry marries and the old boss returns for revenge and nearly kills the father in a staged accident. This chance occurrence brings Kerry back in to their lives--and now it's obvious that he's the Count. Philben and her father had thought he was a regular fellow, as he'd told them he was a salesman...and not a married man! At around the same time, WWI begins and the world is royally...screwed. Kerry returns to Philbin to beg her forgiveness for deceiving her, but she'll have none of it...and he then goes to war. Is there any hope for this couple or is it too late?! There are a couple things to note. First, the merry-go-round from the title is a metaphor for how life manipulates us all. In this case, periodically, a devilish being stands with a small merry-go-round spinning about him to symbolize this. It's pretty weird...but also kinda cool--especially as this guy really, really likes how he's screwing with people! Second, at one point one of the characters in the film who works with animals at the Prater announces that they have an "orang-utan straight from the jungles of Africa"?! Orangutans are about as African as Koalas--as they come from Borneo and Indonesia! And what the animal does in the film is possible but very hard to believe.So is the film worth seeing? Absolutely. While the plot is a bit hard to believe (it has a lot of wild story elements), the story of love unrequited is quite lovely. Also, while no one will ever know how the Von Stroheim version might have been had it been finished, this less costly version was incredibly pretty and appeared like what you'd think Vienna must have looked like. I have been there, but following two world wars (with WWII causing huge damage), I am sure practically all of the city has changed dramatically. Overall, it's a very nice film--and it's lovely to see Miss Philbin in something other than her famous role in "Phantom of the Opera".One final note--while I noticed one review refer to this as "Von Stroheim's masterpiece", according to IMDb hardly any of this film uses any of the crazed and perfectionistic director's work he'd done on the film before being replaced. And, considering that much of the budget was apparently wasted by Von Stroheim, the new director (Rupert Julian) did an amazing job--as the film is quite beautiful and his version of Emperor Franz Joseph looked an awful lot like the one taken from newsreels used at the very beginning of the film (one of the few Von Stroheim touches that made it to the film--and a very expensive scene according to IMDb).

Erich von Stroheim started directing the movie Merry-Go-Round (1923) but got the sack by the producer Irving Thalberg and it was finished by Rupert Julian.Norman Kerry plays Viennese Count Franz Maximilian von Hohenegg.He's supposed to marry Countess Gisella von Steinbruck (Dorothy Wallace).That's one thing he doesn't want to do after he meets the beautiful, but poor Agnes Urban (Mary Philbin) at the amusement park.Merry-Go-Round is a good silent film.Norman Kerry is great in the lead and Mary Philbin is just charming.Cesare Gravina does a terrific performance as her father Sylvester.George Siegmann plays the villain of the movie, Schani Huber.He's the leader of the amusement park and a real sadistic person.In one dramatic scene he uses the whip on Agnes.This movie is could I say a forgotten gem.

Such a simple title but the movie is as billed...."A UNIVERSAL SUPER JEWEL PRODUCTION".The copy just viewed was not real clear but in no way prevented the movie from letting it's fine quality show through.In silent movies I find it so interesting that the persons on screen are able to communicate with the audience without being heard.Much of this communication is done through facial expressions and physical movement.In this movie some of the more important scenes are played out with a minimal amount of gesturing,such is the quality of the performers to convey their feelings.For those who need more there is a monster of a character that gives a new meaning to the word cruel,he could be a professor at the university of torture.He passes each day by gleefully tormenting anyone who comes within thirty feet of him.There are also some world war l military scenes for those wanting to see victims in mass.The main quality of the film is from Mary Philbin,be it love,pain,sadness,remorse,etc.her face is able to express it well.The "phantom of the opera"may be more well known but this movie allowed her to show much more of her acting ability.Since there were not that many films starring Mary Philbin in them that is a good reason by itself to see this one.SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER:Our main actress has to sadly pick a husband from two deserving men.In another silent movie there was a similar situation and the leading lady chose the man Mary Philbin did not pick.In both instances sympathy is felt for the fella not picked.Not easy to call it an happy ending.