Marceline-Day-in-Under-the-Black-Eagle-1928-5

   Marceline Day and Flash

 

Directed by                          W.S. Van Dyke
Produced by                         MGM
Scenario                                Norman Houston
Based on                               a story by Bradley King
Starring                                Ralph Forbes, Marceline Day  
Cinematography                  Hendrik Sartov
Film Editing                         Ben Lewis
Titles by                                Madeleine Ruthven
Distributed by                      MGM
Release date                          March 24, 1928
Country                                 US
Language                               Silent film

 

We have included this film in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of our star Marceline Day.

 

The EYE Film Institute in the Netherlands has the only copy in the world of the film in the form of the original nitrate reels, and has asked for $8,000 to make a digital copy on DVD. "Under the Black Eagle" has not been seen by the classic film lovers in 85 years. We need your help to buy this film so that we can show it to the public for free. Please make a tax-deductible contribution if you can afford it.

 

"Under the Black Eagle" is a war drama, for which the stars Marceline Day and Ralph Forbes have earned the praise of the critics. The film is not available for viewing, so we have to rely on newspaper articles from the 1920ies. Here are just a few of the reviews for this film:

 

If you are one of those people who appreciate something "different" in screen entertainment, then you will surely find much to interest you in "Under the Black Eagle," the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture of love and devotion.

Firstly, because a tender and appealing romance has been subtly blended with thrills and adventure; secondly, because the unusual and absorbing story is laid in Central Europe and provides an interesting and authentic insight into continental home life; and thirdly, because Flash, a new canine star, makes his screen debut in the role of a dog of war, who saves his master's life.

Ralph Forbes is excellently cast in the role of a young artist who is called upon to rally to his country's flag, while Marceline Day in the role of his sweetheart does some fine emotional acting that is worthy of her past performances in "The Barrier" and "Captain Salvation."

The supporting cast includes such sterling artists as William Fairbanks, Bert Roach and Marc McDermott.  (Standard)


Stirring Film at Regent

Throughout the ages there has been something which has linked the affections of man and dog - a link that has existed between no other animal and the human race. There is something about a dog that is so human - yet without the frailties of mankind.

Everyone who loves a dog should see "Under the Black Eagle".  With Marceline Day and Ralph Forbes in the leading roles it is primarily a story of a young romance that falls under the menacing shadow of "The Black Eagle".  How the two lovers are reunited through the courage and faithfulness of a canine friend makes it one of the most absorbing stories that has ever been brought to the screen.

The new picture introduces a wonderful screen find in "Flash," a beautiful and intelligent dog, while the supporting cast is particularly rich in talent.  (Daily News)

"Under the Black Eagle"  offered a thought provoking story. Unlike most pictures dealing with the war, this one wag taken from the enemy side.  Revealing human conflict and the organized business of killing in all its insanity and hatefulness, the drama is centered in the love of a conscripted artist for a girl and a faithful dog.  Scenes on the Russian front in the early days of the war are depicted with lurid horror and vividness; and the struggle between the artist's  abhorrence of life-taking and his fear of being dubbed a coward by the girl of his heart is shown, with gripping effect.  Not until the enemy shot his dog, however, did he really become possessed of any warlike spirit, and then he made up for lost time.  The episode of a shell which put an end to his military activities however, brought better times, and the drama ends in the happiest and most gratifying manner possible. Ralph Forbes and Marceline Day are cast in the leading roles, and make of their parts vital, living characters. (The Register)

Marceline Day in the role of his sweetheart does some
FINE EMOTIONAL ACTING
that is worthy of her past performances in "The Barrier" and "Captain Salvation."

"Under the Black Eagle" was directed by W. S. Van Dyke, it has been lavishly produced and holds the spectator's interest from beginning to end. (Mirror)


The main picture to be screened today is the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer attraction, "Under the Black Eagle" starring Ralph Forbes, Marceline Day, and "Flash," the new dog wonder... Marceline Day does some excellent emotional acting.  (Courier)

 

 Click to enlarge:

 

Marceline-Day-and-Ralph-Forbes-in-Under-the-Black-Eagle-1928-6

   Marceline Day and Ralph Forbes