Wow. Just try taking your eyes off her when she's onscreen. She virtually vibrates. My favorite moment is at the end, when she asks her husband, "So,what are you going to do about it?" and he says "Nothing". She just stares at him for a second and repeats, "Nothing. Nothing?" It's a powerful moment, if you'll excuse the cliche.
shareThe last couple of lines are particularly powerful. Eagles and Bette Davis utter the sames lines, but Davis (THE Bette Davis) actually feels very weak and hollow compared to Jeanne Eagles.
Though, cinematically better, it always felt like there was something missing in the 1940 version, most likely it was probably because the later version had to be so "polished" because it was a postcode movie; whereas the 1929 movie was much more raw and powerful. You didn't have to bring in a 3rd party, in the form of some ridiculous, vengeful natives to do Leslie in. She and her husband make the consequences of their own fate.
As she died of complications of drug addiction, I have a feeling she was under the influence when she did this part. How else could she have acted like such a maniac? I take that back----I don't know if Jeanne was high or not, but she was like fingernails on a blackboard...squeaky, shrill, scraping and raspy. Her incredible thinness and ill look completed the scene. I couldn't wait for something to happen to her.
shareAs she died of complications of drug addiction, I have a feeling she wasYou know, I got a very similar impression while watching that last scene.
under the influence when she did this part. How else could she have
acted like such a maniac?
Her death is mentioned in a YouTube series, 1920's Channel. She died in her doctor's office from an overdose. I really adore Pre Code films. I believe this is on YouTube as well.
shareInteresting! I thought the same thing!
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