The Abysmal Brute (film)

The Abysmal Brute is a 1923 American silent sports drama film directed by Hobart Henley and starring Reginald Denny, Mabel Julienne Scott, and Charles K. French.[1] It is an adaptation of the 1911 novel The Abysmal Brute by Jack London. The film received mixed reception, with one reviewer stating that the film was not a perfect adaptation of the novel. Comedic scenes, that were not in the novel, were added to the film by leading actor Reginald Denny.

The Abysmal Brute
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Directed byHobart Henley
Written byAndrew Percival Younger
Based onThe Abysmal Brute
by Jack London
StarringReginald Denny
Mabel Julienne Scott
Charles K. French
CinematographyCharles J. Stumar
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • April 15, 1923 (1923-04-15)
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

A boxer raised in the mountains by his father comes to San Francisco and enjoys great success, but his lack of social skills means he struggles to romance the socialite with whom he has fallen in love.

Cast

Production

The Minneapolis Star wrote that the film is not like the book, with only the name of the book and characters being used. The reviewer mentioned that romance is only a small part of the novel and that there is "painfully dragged-in comedy relief" in the film.[3] The actor Reginald Denny added comedic scenes to the film which he said was "'the hokum' of an adaptation of Jack London's boxing story".[4] Carl Laemmle "dedicated the film to The American Legion because of the wonderful spirit of clean athletics engendered in young American manhood by the war and the subsequent veteran activities".[5][6]

AllMovie said, "Since his British accent remained conveniently unheard during the silent era, Reginald Denny made a wonderful all-American hero".[2] Virginia Valli was originally meant to have the role of Mabel Julienne Scott. Shannon Day and Mae Busch were reported to be in the cast at first, but neither actress appeared in the film. Multiple boxers, who were known prizefighters, appeared in the film. The film was originally scheduled to premiere in the fall of 1922, but the release was delayed to film The Shock.[5]

Reception

The Pennsylvania School Journal recommended the film for Children's Book Week from November 11 to November 17, 1923.[7]

The Educational Screen said, "A slow-moving, but sincere and well-acted filming of one of Jack London's tales".[8] The Yonkers Herald wrote that women will enjoy Denny's "pleasing personality" and that men will enjoy "the masculinity of the story" and its "series of thrilling prize-ring sequences".[9]

References
  1. Munden p. 2
  2. "The Abysmal Brute (1923)". AllMovie. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  3. "'Abysmal Brute' Is Spoiled in Filming". The Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, Minnesota. June 16, 1923 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Boddy, Kasia (June 1, 2013). Boxing: A Cultural History. Reaktion Books. p. 61. ISBN 978-1-86189-702-2.
  5. "The Abysmal Brute (1923)". AFI. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  6. ""Abysmal Brute" Is Dramatic Thrill; Crowds T. D. Theater". Stockton Daily Evening Record. Stockton, California. May 11, 1923 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Pennsylvania School Journal. Pennsylvania State Education Association. 1923. p. 165.
  8. The Educational Screen. Educational Screen. 1923. p. 278.
  9. ""The Abysmal Brute" Starts Run At Strand Today, With Denny Leading". The Yonkers Herald. Yonkers, New York. April 21, 1923 – via Newspapers.com.

Bibliography
  • Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press, 1997.
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