The New Moon (1919) Norma Talmadge Film Corporation/Select Pictures Corporation. Produced by Joseph M. Schenck. Directed by Chester Withey. Assistant director, Harry Sothern. Scenario by Chester Withey. Story by H. H. Van Loan. Camera by David Abel. Art direction by Victor De Linsky. Cast: Norma Talmadge, Pedro de Cordoba, Charles Gerard, Stuart Holmes, Marc McDermott, Ethel Kaye, Harry Sothern, Marguerite Clayton. 6 reels. A copy of this film is available at the Library of Congress (5 reel copy, 35 mm., some deterioration)

Review from Variety, May 16, 1919

A real old-fashioned meller, of the up-raising of the Bolshiviki and the reign of terrorism inaugurated by the Reds in Russia form the basis of "The New Moon" in which Norma Talmadge is presented by Joseph M. Schenck. The story was written by H.H. VanLoan. Although Miss Talmadge looks wonderful as a Russian Princess and does some very remarkable work in the role of the story, it is hardly the type one would expect to see her in. It is so cheaply melodramatic that it smacks rather of the Eighth avenue type than Broadway.

The scenario and direction were entrusted to Chester Withey, who it is easily observed tried hard to put the picture over with the aid of several very well staged mob scenes and some excellent snow scenes. In the titling there is much noticeable evidently intended to uplift the production. But as the "class" was not present in the original it was a difficult task to help it out with the aid of titles.

The big punch is the edict issued by the Soviet nationalizing all the women of Russia between 17 and 32. Around this are built situations at once thrilling and full of melodramatic action.

The story opens, after a few preliminary shots to plant the character of the Princess, at the ball given in honor of her engagement to Prince Michail Koloyar. In the midst of the gaiety the Reds break in to ruthlessly kill and plunder. The Prince battles off several and arranges the escape of his betrothed. The action following is the adventures befalling both, he with the Reds through whom he hopes to find trace of her, and she, in a small Russian village, where she is the shopkeeper. Finally the two make their escape across the border, after a couple of villains in the piece have been successfully slain.

The mob scenes are very well staged, the lighter touches well handled and the lightings and photography exquisite. Mr. Withey has employed a hazy fade out that is most effective.

The cast supporting Miss Talmadge is headed by Pedro de Cordoba as leading man, who, while he does not exactly measure up to the popular ideal of what the picture leading man should be, does give a corking performance. Charles Gerard and Stuart Holmes play heavy roles, putting them over most satisfactory. Marc McDermott, Ethel Kaye, and Harry Southern as peasants landed, while Marguerite Clayton as the sister of the head of the Reds gave an adequate interpretation of a minor part.

From a story standpoint "The New Moon" is lacking in class, but the subject does hold an idea that is timely and has advertising possibilities for the exhibitor.

Review from the New York Times, May 12, 1919

The photoplay at the Rivoli is "The New Moon," a picture in which Norma Talmadge, Pedro de Cordoba, Charles Gerard, and others, as actors, and Chester Withey, as director, waste their undoubted talents on a Russian story dramatically overdone and misrepresentative of fact.

Review from Photoplay, August, 1919

Good morning; have you written your Bolshevist story yet? H.H. Van Loan has written his, and here it is. It is the sort of story that you always find the literarily ambitious Dubuque young lady writing about New York; that is to say, she doesn't know a blamed thing about New York except what she has read in the papers and periodicals. And while I am wholly ignorant of Mr. Van Loan's real and first-hand knowledge of Russia, his atmosphere and phraseology sound like studious cramming out of the Saturday Evening Post, the Literary Digest and the morning front pages, rather than resembling a personal reflection. Granting that you don't care whether your foreign pieces are authoritative documents or mere exciting imaginations, this story--with the usual exhibitions of Bolshevik indolence, lust, cruelty and impracticality,--should really please you, for it is indeed splendidly put on, and Director Chet Withey has secured some very genuine Slavic atmosphere, especially in the great hall and court of the palace of the Pavlovnas. His use of a small model of the village, however, seemed unnecessary because of its very evident unreality--contrasting so sharply with his other real and painstaking detail. Norma Talmadge plays Princess Marie Pavlovna, lending the character all her swiftness, her subtlety, her girlish beauty and her lightning-like capacity for change of expression. Excellent in her support are Pedro de Cordoba, Charles Gerard, Stuart Holmes, Marc McDermott, and Marguerite Clayton.

Viewing comments

New Moon is of considerable historical interest as one of the hysterical rash of anti-Bolshevik propaganda which came out after the Russian Revolution. Even in its own day, it was recognized as ludicrously overdone. In its most lurid scene, Talmadge locks the dictator's sister in a room to keep her away from one of his lustful henchmen. He tries to break open the door with an ax, and Talmadge grabs a large whip and beats him. He throws the ax, missing her face by inches. He then wrestles her to the floor before being driven off by the ax-wielding father of a raped peasant woman. According to contemporary reviews, the dictator declares all women to be state property, but the existing print must be a later reissue, since instead he merely orders that no one leave the province without permission. It's probable that other particularly sensational titles were changed, and a long explanatory title added comparing the Bolsheviks to carpetbaggers. If taken in the right spirit, however, the film is very entertaining, and Talmadge gives a spirited performance. Despite the title, all of this action takes place under a large crescent moon.
Print viewed: 35 mm. at Library of Congress

Last revised, August 17, 2005