The Love of Sunya/Gloria Swanson

suzanne · Post by **suzanne** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:07 pm

Does anyone have any info regarding the upcoming release of the above movie? It's been in "Save" mode in netflix for many months now. I wish they would release more of Swanson's 20's silents on DVD. Manhandled and Stage Struck are both wonderful comedies and deserve to be seen.

And by the way, if anyone HAS seen it, what's your opinion?

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:14 pm

suzanne wrote:Does anyone have any info regarding the upcoming release of the above movie? It's been in "Save" mode in netflix for many months now. I wish they would release more of Swanson's 20's silents on DVD. Manhandled and Stage Struck are both wonderful comedies and deserve to be seen.

And by the way, if anyone HAS seen it, what's your opinion?

I've seen it and I was very impressed.

I also have had it in save mode at Netflix for at least 2 years. I believe it was tentatively announced by David Shepard/Image way back when, but got axed when Image decided to put the kabosh on silent film DVDs. My memory could be faulty, bit that is what I remember.

I believe MANHANDLED is available on DVD from Grapevine.

suzanne · Post by **suzanne** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:18 pm

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Would you say that at this point it won't happen (sob)? They should take it off netflix and stop giving me hope.

Maybe I can catch it at a screening someday.

Post by **Danny Burk** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:23 pm

Looks like it's available now - it's listed as "in stock" on Amazon, release date of 13 Sep 2009.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:31 pm

Danny Burk wrote:Looks like it's available now - it's listed as "in stock" on Amazon, release date of 13 Sep 2009.

Link? I did a search on amazon and all that came up was an old VHS (unknown source) from 2002.

I believe it was released at one time by Critic's Choice on VHS, which means it probably is awful quality.

It certainly is possible that DS could release it thru Flicker Alley, but I am not aware of any plans to do so.

suzanne · Post by **suzanne** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:32 pm

Thanks, Danny, that's great news. Then I would assume it's only a matter of time before it's available on netflix. But if not, at least I can add it to my wishlist.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:42 pm

I've had a copy of this for years but have no idea where I got it from.....

It's a terrific film, a remake of Clara Kimball Young's Eyes of Youth, which featured Rudolph Valentino in a small role.

The Love of Sunya was Swanson's first film as producer after she left Paramount and was a solid hit although history has recorded this film as a flop. This is the film that opened New York City's famed Roxy Theater, and Swanson talks about the standing ovation and SRO crowds at the film's premiere. I don't know if actual numbers are available.

It's a very dark tale but offers Swanson a great acting opportunity, and she delivers.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:43 pm

Danny Burk wrote:Looks like it's available now - it's listed as "in stock" on Amazon, release date of 13 Sep 2009.

OK, I found it now. I would be extremely wary of this DVD. With no producer listed and no reviews...it most likely is someone's homemade DVD-R copy of the Critic's Choice video. Buyer beware.

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:46 pm

I loved this movie! Manhandled is fun (paired together on Grapevine)

Stage Struck (also directed by Dwan) is way better (and not available on DVD) SS is at Eastman House with reel 1 in 2 color techinicolor (I think I used the correct term, this time, I hope).

I keep hoping Stage Struck will make it out on some Treasures set or something, it was 100% delightful the one time I got to see it. It is my favorite Swanson silent, so far.

suzanne · Post by **suzanne** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:48 pm

In that case maybe it's best to wait for the official Killiam release.

I know history records it as a flop and as her Swanson's first UA release I'm curious to see it. I liked Eyes of Youth and it would be interesting to see what a very different actress brings to the story. Oh well, I can wait.

But thank you to everyone who suppolied info.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:49 pm

I saw Stage Struck at Eastman House.... a great film with gorgeous color sequences.... Swanson is just hilarious in this one.

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:54 pm

drednm wrote:I saw Stage Struck at Eastman House.... a great film with gorgeous color sequences.... Swanson is just hilarious in this one.

Yes, I saw it at The Stanford many moons ago, never forgot it and if DS has a print and Flicker Alley releases it, I will be first in line to buy one.

This is the film, and I'm pretty sure I 've said this before, it explained to me what all the fuss was about La Swanson. She's truly wonderful, touching and hilariously funny in this film. It's a gem.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:00 pm

The opening fantasy sequence with Swanson in color is astonishing. I think she's in an Egyptian outfit, all reds and golds. The closeup is stunning.

The old story is that Chaplin fired Swanson because she couldn't do comedy. Swanson stated in her autobiography she didn't WANT to do comedy, or at least Chaplin's slapstick.

But Swanson certainly proved in Manhandled and Stage Struck she could do comedy. As I remember, she was pretty feisty in Zaza as well.

Post by **Danny Burk** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:32 pm

azjazzman wrote:
Danny Burk wrote:Looks like it's available now - it's listed as "in stock" on Amazon, release date of 13 Sep 2009.
OK, I found it now. I would be extremely wary of this DVD. With no producer listed and no reviews...it most likely is someone's homemade DVD-R copy of the Critic's Choice video. Buyer beware.

You're probably right - looking a little closer, I likewise can't find a producer listed. It hasn't been out long, so I'm not too surprised about the lack of reviews. The film is PD, by the way, so there could be any number of outfits offering it...

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:59 pm

Warning, I read something about a release put together from an old Video-Yesteryear tape, so you sure as heck wouldn't want that anyway. Don't know if this is the same thing or not?

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:03 pm

My copy, which I'm watching now, came from buyersgallerymemorabilia.com

DShepFilm · Post by **DShepFilm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:49 pm

I had access to Killiam's material under a license agreement but although he had legitimate chain of title to the picture, his elements were of such poor quality that I decided not to proceed. It was then offered to Kino which decided the same thing.

I guess that is why Paul never used it in any of his television series.

Maybe there is good material in the Swanson Collection at the Ransom Center at the University of Texas, but I don't know.

David Shepard

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:53 pm

David... the copy I have is dark but that should be easy enough to lighten up.... The video quality is otherwise pretty good.

It's a really good film and deserves to be seen.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:14 pm

Gloria Swanson in her art deco dress and jewelry in The Love of Sunya. Designs by Rene Hubert in his first film. Swanson also always claimed to have discovered John Boles who had his first important role here.

Henry Nicolella · Post by **Henry Nicolella** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:42 pm

I think SUNYA is inferior to EYES OF YOUTH in most respects. Clara Kimball Young may not have been a glamour puss but her performance is much more heartfelt than Swanson's.
As for Swanson discovering John Boles, he was actually under cotnract to MGM in 24-25, before SUNYA. Swanson blames Boles' "inexperience" for some of the costly delays on the film. The film really didn't do much for his career. He didn't become a star until the talkies when his singing voice served him in good stead.
Henry Nicolella

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:01 pm

Well as I said, Swanson claimed to have discovered Boles, with whom she worked almost a decade later in Music in the Air. Swanson also claimed to have discovered Melvyn Douglas.

I found the Clara Kimball Young version to be pretty dreary, but that's just my opinion. Young always strikes me as being old. I thought Swanson gave a terrific performance and her reviews pretty solid.

The Love of Sunya/Gloria Swanson

The Love of Sunya/Gloria Swanson

Re: The Love of Sunya/Gloria Swanson