Lonesome (1928)

Two lonely single people, a telephone operator (Barbara Kent) and a factory worker (Glenn Tryon), meet at Coney Island during the fourth of July weekend. They immediately fall in love but true love's path is hindered by a couple of thorns. Perhaps the ultimate "boy meets girl" movie, the Hungarian director Paul Fejos dresses up the film with plenty of visual means. Plenty of super imposition shots, tracking shots, tinted filters and added crowd noises. Though shot as a silent film, several talking sequences were added to the film which was probably a mistake. They're awkwardly inserted and the dialog is pretty flat though visually they're in better shape than the silent narrative. Comparisons to SUNRISE and THE CROWD are inevitable but truthfully, the film simply isn't as good as those two masterworks. It's a lovely film though, it captures the wistful pain of being alone in a crowded city, of not having that someone in your life to share with while everyone around you is partnered. Though their acting is a bit broad, Kent and Tryon make a likable pair.