JohnHowardReid
Fortunately, Norma Talmadge partly rejuvenated the reputation of the Sisters for me in Grapevine Video's Going Straight (1916), directed by the Franklin Brothers, Chester and Sidney. Take no notice of the duped black-and-white opening (which fortunately is only a half-reel). With reel two, we are back in the genuine, original, tinted Kodascope footage. Produced on a marvelously generous budget, this movie is splendidly acted by Talmadge, Ralph Lewis (as her husband), Eugene Pallette (a really sinister blackmailer) and Georgie Stone (as Pallette's child-of-the-streets accomplice). Going Straight is a silent thriller that holds up particularly well over more than a whole century after it was made.
Cineanalyst
In this early Norma Talmadge picture, "Going Straight", her and her husband are former criminals blackmailed by their old partner in crime to be accessories for one last job. It's a melodramatic, generic and morally flimsy narrative, but it's at least competently made. An exciting flashback sequence early on introduces our couple's shady past; narratively, I appreciate the flashback here instead of a completely chronological plot. The three leads: Talmadge, Ralph Lewis and Eugene Palette do well in their parts, especially making good use of their close-ups to flesh out their characters. That alone is a significant improvement over the earlier Talmadge feature "Children in the House" (1916) included on the same Grapevine DVD. Talmadge has a nice wide-eyed, distressed look on her face through much of the film. "The Social Secretary", though, is the gem of Talmadge's few Fine Arts/Triangle vehicles in circulation today.(Note: The print had many, continuous scratches, but is, overall, clear and of relatively good quality and much better than the dark print of "Children in the House".)
wes-connors
Years ago, Norma Talmadge (as Grace Briggs) and her crooked partner Eugene Palette (as Jimmy Briggs) helped locksmith and gang leader Ralph Lewis (as John Higgins) commit burglaries. After falling in love, Ms. Talmadge and Mr. Lewis married. Later, Lewis was arrested, and went to prison for his crimes. Upon release, he and Talmadge decide to make amends. After "Going Straight", they change their name to "Remington", made babies, and lead a happy, prosperous life.Presently, while Talmadge and Lewis remorsefully recall their life of crime, Mr. Palette remains crooked to the bone. He hooks up with little Georgie Stone (as Jimmy), a helpless waif and criminal adjunct. When Palette re-encounters his now prosperous pal, he blackmails Lewis by threatening to reveal wife Talmadge's participation in their past crimes. Since Talmadge was never caught, she would (presumably) have to serve some years in prison. Eventually, Palette's demands increase...***** Going Straight (6/4/16) Chester & Sidney Franklin ~ Norma Talmadge, Eugene Palette, Georgie Stone, Ralph Lewis
Silents Fan
This story of a family trying to escape its criminal past is highlighted by a fine, expressive performance by Norma Talmadge. Ralph Lewis is solid in his performance of a locksmith, turned safe cracker, turned ex-convict turned successful businessman. But if you have never seen Eugene Palette in a film of this vintage, you will be most surprised by his performance as a career criminal. Palette is slim and trim, and only his eyes are recognizable to fans of his later films. His performance as the career criminal who tries to drag the family back into a life of crime is riveting. The actor usually known for his genial performances as a doting father racks up theft, assault, blackmail, breaking and entering, Faginism, attempted rape, attempted murder and the near murder of a child along the way. There are several good fight scenes, including a brawl and shootout between a criminal gang and the police that would do credit to a small war. This is a fine film for its vintage and well-worth watching for Talmadge's and Palette's performances alone.
AD
