wes-connors Silent screen siren Betty Blythe shot to stardom with "Queen of Sheba" (1921), where she joined "vamp" stars Theda Bara, Louise Glaum, and Pola Negri in popularity. That film, like this one, featured Ms. Blyth showing off her curvy figure in skimpy and see-through clothing. Although "Sheba" is presently a lost film, stills show Blythe's scanty costumes are as good as anything "She" wore here. This film is relatively well-produced, with fair effects, a hair-raising climax, and an important co-star in Carlyle Blackwell; while now forgotten, he was a very big name in early films.The frequently filmed H. Rider Haggard story begins with Mr. Blackwell (as Leo Vincy) discovering a relic that informs him about Blythe (as Ayesha, or "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed"), who loved his father (also essayed by Mr. Blackwell, in old age make-up) and (two thousand years of, presumably) others in the ancestral line. Blackwell accompanies pal Heinrich George (as Horace "The Baboon" Holly) and handyman Tom Reynolds (as Job) to Arabia. They meet up with native girl Mary Odette, flesh-eating cannibals (okay, maybe there aren't any other kind), and Blythe.****** She (1925) G.B. Samuelson ~ Betty Blythe, Carlyle Blackwell, Heinrich George, Mary Odette

Cineanalyst This is a good adaptation of Haggard's book, mostly because of Betty Blythe and the wardrobe department. Like everyone else, I assume, I saw the reedited American version, which exists in 16mm reduction prints. The film is choppy in a few places as a result, which are probably areas where footage was removed. I would guess that much of the footage removed was of the past story where She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed killed the one she loved and probably some additional scenes of Carlyle Blackwell, who in the abridged version seems to be on screen less than is his sidekick stepfather. Originally, it was probably very faithful to Haggard's book because the author himself, apparently, had a role in the making of this adaptation shortly before he died, including credit for writing the title cards.Regardless, a good amount of time remains of Blythe, which is the most important thing. Blythe is not only beautiful and sexy, but also by far the best actor in this film. Additionally, her costumes are remarkably skimpy and sometimes transparent. Evidently, the filmmakers here used Blythe's role in "The Queen of Sheba" (1921) as a template. "The Queen of Sheba" is now one of the most coveted lost films, but it's clear from publicity stills that Blythe wore clothes (or lack thereof) with a similar purpose in both films, in addition to both pictures being semi-historical adventures with high production values and expensive sets. With "The Queen of Sheba", Blythe had established herself as the vamp heir apparent to Theda Bara at Fox, and she continued that path in this British production with another meaty anti-heroine, strong siren/vamp type of role. One of the best scenes in "She" uses lighting effects to make Blythe's face appear and disappear behind a veil when she first meets Heinrich George's character.The cave and mountain sets are more fantasy than realism due to their soft contours, which is probably appropriate. There are a good number of establishing shots to show them off, too, as well as some good lighting of them, which is somewhat difficult to detect from the 16mm source. Additionally, in this version, She's visions appear in a bath of water. The pillar of fire in the climax is clearly fabric, but I suspect that fact may have originally been concealed by hand-coloring of the print or something similar. It would be nice to see a more complete print, but what remains is good and entertaining.

DOUG DEUSS (SHADO57) I have this film on Super-8mm, but with one or two reels missing, as mentioned above. Of course, the parts missing are important to the plot (primarily the face to face meeting with Leo and his dead ancestor). I think the production values are adequate for this kind of film, in the context of the time it was produced. My Blackhawk print is a little dark and contrasty, but it is enjoyable. I have watched it many times, but I would love to have a DVD copy of this film. (Perhaps I can make my own if none appears.) Perhaps someone out there would be so kind as to let me know whom to write to, in pursuit of this.Fortunately, I was able to show the picture at its proper speed, which helps give it weight and more lifelike movement. The portions of the film I do have look very good, so I am sure that someone out there could restore this and put it out on DVD.

rduchmann The most faithful adaptation of the classic H Rider Haggard novel of mystical adventure, this was shot inside a Zeppelin hangar in Berlin. At least a full reel's worth of the film seems to be missing (most of the re-enactment of the story on the ancient potsherd, plus the business at the Rocking Stone), and there is some hammy acting here and there (the Holly character particularly overdoes it from time to time), but it is consistently interesting and well made. Haggard wrote the titles himself, and the plot follows pretty closely his original story (as none of the many remakes have bothered to do).The story lends itself well to pantomimic treatment, and this rendition is of major interest to Haggard afficionados. US silent queen Blythe is quite attractive in the lead and plays many of her scenes wearing little more than cellophane on top; she might as well have been bare-breasted. Production values are still less than they might have been, with short shrift to HRH's deserted ancient city of Kor, and no filming of this story comes within miles of the original novel, which has been a favorite of mine for nearly 40 years. Lovers of Haggard's work will surely find this the least objectionable of the numerous film versions of our favorite story, and it is an honorable attempt to enact a tale which, all in all, is probably best encountered within the pages of a book.