Liliom

Frank Borzage
SN Behrman & Sonya Levien 
from the play by Ferenc Molnár 
photographed by Chester A Lyons 
Hollywood CA 1930

Charles Farrell and Rose Hobart star as Liliom and Julie, the doomed lovers of Molnár’s most oft adapted work.  It isn’t alone the perfect casting that marks this as its finest adaptation, but the fancifully precise design, inventive camera work and the subtle gradations of the photography.  Still, the intensity of those two central performances were essential, from the surprisingly high pitched tones of Farrell’s voice and despair to the odd depth of Hobart’s voice and of her emotional attachment, unembarrassed and honestly expressed, to making this something truly strange and beautiful for anyone who cares at all about film’s possibilities.  But just consider again the entrance into their apartment of the weird celestial train sent to pick up Liliom when he dies.  Borzage really outdid himself there.