Peter Pan

Director– Herbert Brenon

Starring –  Betty Bronson, George Ali, Esther Ralston
 

Country of Origin-  U.S.

Distributor - Kino Lorber

Number of Discs - 1

Reviewed by - David Steigman

Date- 11/12/2019

For some reason when I think of today’s audiences, I can see people automatically thinking “Disney” when the name Peter Pan comes to mind. It’s easy to see why, with all the merchandise, Disney advertisements and other propaganda where Peter Pan appears. Peter Pan is a timeless character, which, granted is mainly in part to Disney who licensed the character way back in 1939, so let’s give credit where credit is due. But Disney’s Peter Pan film was not the first despite the huge success it had. Decades before the character of Peter Pan was both portrayed in plays and in the silent era as there was a live action film in 1924.

Peter Pan, the 1924 is a silent film adaptation, has the familiar plot characters and settings that we all know and love, including Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Neverland and the Darling family. Peter Pan brings the Darling kids, Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland for fun and adventure but things go sour as the kids become homesick and are later captured by Captain Hook’s pirates and it’s up to Peter Pan to save them.

Betty Bronson plays Peter Pan in this picture and she is just wonderful in the role. Silent screen legend Ernest Torrence (Across to Singapore) is superb as the evil, villainous Captain Hook. For 1924, I can see his performance being considered as over the top. George Ali, who played Nana the Dog and Crocodile, was clearly enjoying his roles. He was actually known for being an animal impersonator.

Kino Lorber debuts Peter Pan on Blu-ray, and has given the film a brand new 2K restoration. Now 95 years old, Peter Pan has never looked so crisp, or as sharp as it does now. The image, be it tinted sepia or blue or in a basic black and white is simply a beautiful presentation, The clarity of the image is first rate, looking smooth and polished. Print damage, speckles and lines are at a minimal. This is definitely a huge revelation!

Kino supplies an LPCM 2.0 music-only audio track and it’s more than passable. The musical score by Philip C. Carli and his orchestra is a pleasure to listen to. The music is crisp and clear with the tempo picking up during the action scenes. 

Kino has included a lot of supplements to their Peter Pan Blu-ray. There is an audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger. In this commentary, she shares stories about the character Peter Pan. Her discussion includes some historical information about Sir James Barrie, who wrote the 1904 play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up or Peter and Wendy and a Novel in 1911, among other interesting tidbits. It’s certainly worth a listen, especially if you are very much into learning about the history of Peter Pan

There are featurettes that were ported over from the DVD release.  "Esther Ralston Remembers Meeting Mary Brian" is an audio Interview where Ralston, who played Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, reflects on how she first met Mary Brian (who played Wendy).

Another featurette “Audio Interview with Actress Esther Ralston”, is another interview with her, lasting just over half an hour, where she reflects about the cast and few of the film.

There is 15-page booklet that is accompanied by some stills. It is written by film historian, Frederick C. Szebin and is a great read. It’s not often Kino does booklets and if there is any home release that should get one, it’s Peter Pan

I simply adored the silent Peter Pan film and could watch it over and over again, especially on a cold weekend morning! This new Blu-ray release is absolutely essential; it is a must own for fans of the character and silent films alike. Much kudos goes out to Kino Lorber. Hopefully more silent that are in the Kino Lorber library will also be recipients of a Blu-ray release!