The Squall (1929)

Set in Hungary, a beautiful but manipulative Gypsy (Myrna Loy) insinuates herself into the household of a prosperous farmer (Richard Tucker). She then seduces her way up the chain of power from servant (Harry Cording) to son (Carroll Nye) to father (Tucker) sowing discord and jealousy in a once happy home. Based on the play by Jean Bart and directed by Alexander Korda (THAT HAMILTON WOMAN). For an early talkie, the film is surprisingly fluid without the stage bound stuffiness that infected many early talkies. Unfortunately, the movie's narrative is pretty hokey and perpetuates racial stereotypes. Myrna Loy, still in her exotic phase, as the Gypsy is lazy, lying and thieving. As the son, Nye is unattractive and a total stiff as an actor. To the film's credit, it's moderately entertaining and Loy's (in her dark Egyptian make up) femme fatale is fun to watch as she destroys the household man to man until she gets her comeuppance. With Loretta Young (dull as the good girl), Alice Joyce and Zasu Pitts.