Sadounah (No Greater Love) (1915)
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Collection: Moving Picture World, December 1915
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“No Greater Love”
A powerful domestic drama of love and tragedy, in five parts, featuring the fine emotional actress, Régina Badet — Released by Selig.
Reviewed by James S. McQuade.
Whoever views No Greater Love on the screen will be the subject of a spell that is akin to the magical. What with the compelling drift of the story and its strong cumulative interest, as climax succeeds climax until the dread scene at the close reveals the final tribute of a mother’s devotion, the spectator realizes that he has completely lost himself and his real surroundings in the maze of happenings on the screen.
The tense interest is created by following the actions and promptings of a beautiful mother on behalf of her only and beautiful daughter, and since she stops at nothing to achieve her ends it is only natural that the spectator becomes a witness of scenes and incidents that sometimes thrill the mind with horror. At no time is one subjected to “vulgar” crime, if that be any extenuation of the imagining of crime, for the mother in question, Sadunah by name, is of Oriental birth and ancestry and can plan a murder and have it carried out with the Utmost expedition either by another or by herself.
The scenes and the story are laid in Paris and on the beautiful coast line of the Riviera, Italy. As the dramatis persona are nearly all members of select society, with ample means to gratify every whim, it is to be expected that the pictures will abound in fine settings, both interior and exterior. The interiors in every case are gems of good taste and delightful art, and reflect evidence of the nicest care in the production. Those in the Chateau Miramar, on the Riviera, are especially praiseworthy, while the exteriors on this beautiful spot exercise an influence akin to that of sweet music. The scene overlooking the Devil’s Pool is one that will not soon be forgotten. The narrow, winding way cut out of the solid rock leading to the top of the cliff and the cottage on its summit, with a frail wooden fence as the only prevention, in case of a stumble, from plunging into the seething abyss far below, is memorable for its fine picturesque beauty. And it will be memorable too by reason of the tragedy that takes place there at the story’s close.
The acting in this screen play excites admiration throughout. There is distinctive class and good form in the representation of all the principal characters. Mme. Régina Badet’s characterization of Sadunah bears the stamp of great talent. She is a lady of fine presence and symmetry, graceful and sinuous — though on the verge of the day of too much flesh.
The costumes worn by Mme. Badet, in fashion about two years ago, are numerous and all beautiful. The bridal dress worn by her as she sacrifices herself and the man who threatens her daughter’s happiness cannot fail to make a poetic appeal to women.
The release will be made through V-L-S-E, Inc., some time in December.
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Scene from No Greater Love (Selig-V-L-S-E). [William Nicholas Selig]
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Another Balboa Bride.
Balboa has had another wedding at the studio. The high contracting parties were Richard Johnson and Lulu Bower. The groom is a well known character actor in Balboa features; while his bride has also taken small parts.
Collection: Moving Picture World, January 1915
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Régina Badet | Louis Mercanton (Director) | William Le Queux (Director | Writer)
Rest of cast:
Paul Guidé | Max Barbier | Jean-Marie de l’Isle | Charles Hey | Elizabeth Nizan | Jean Peyrière
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see also