Acensbart
Excellent but underrated film
Stevecorp
Don't listen to the negative reviews
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
wes-connors
"A young woman of mixed parentage lives in the bayou, raised by a black voodoo priestess who looks to avenge the death of her husband, lynched by an angry white mob. As the tension rises due to the evil plans of the priestess, the young woman finds herself torn between two cultures. Hoping to break free from the control of the woman who raised her, the young woman finds she must confront the priestess in order to save her own life, as well as those the priestess intends to harm," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.Voodoo… Hocus-pocus… Racist… Trash! The most astonishing thing about "Chloe, Love Is Calling You" is that it was directed by Marshall Neilan. One of the most well-known filmmakers of the 1920s, Mr. Neilan's films were once eagerly anticipated. He was especially successful in partnership with Mary Pickford (see "Stella Maris"). Beautiful star Olive Borden ended her ten-year film career as "Chloe", unfortunately. It also offers a good look at handsome Reed Howes (as Wade) and handsome Philip Ober (as Jim), who was Vivian Vance's volatile husband (off-screen) during "I Love Lucy".** Chloe, Love Is Calling You (1934) Marshall Neilan ~ Olive Borden, Reed Howes, Philip Ober
kidboots
Marshall Neilan was the "wiz kid" and "boy wonder" director of the 1920s. Even though he had been directing films since 1913 he was "officially" discovered by Mary Pickford and given his chance to direct her in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1917). Then he was on his way. He loved good times and plenty of them and also like some other members of the film community he made an enemy of Louis B Mayer. High living caught up with Neilan and by the end of the 20s he was reduced to doing some uncredited directing in "Tanned Legs". Neilan only made a couple more films after Chloe although just before he died he won high praise for his role in "A Face in the Crowd" (1957).Sadly, it was Olive Borden's last film. She had been considered one of the most beautiful actresses of the 20s, but she was also a victim of high living, though in Chloe, she still retained some of her beauty.Chloe is coming back to her childhood home. Her "mammy" Mandy, is using voodoo to wreak vengeance on the rich family because she thinks the colonel killed her husband. Chloe can't reconcile to the fact that she may have "coloured" blood in her. After words with Jim, who says she will never find a "white" man to love her (he secretly loves her himself) Chloe falls into a crocodile infested swamp and is rescued by Wade Carson (Reed Howes). He also falls for her and she returns his love because he is the "white" man she has always dreamed about.When the colonel goes to Mandy's cabin to confront her about some voodoo charms and a missing photo he finds a child's dress and shoes that belonged to his little daughter. She drowned in the river 15 years before and her body has never been found. After a few doubts it is proved that Chloe is the colonel's daughter and the way is clear for her to marry Wade. Chloe is the most racist person in the film. Even though she was raised and loved by Mandy, the black priestess, she has no reciprocal feelings for her - only feelings of fear and loathing. She seems to dislike Jim because he feels comfortable around the black people. He is quite the nicest person in the film, having risked his life for her several times but she doesn't have any friendly feelings for him. She is horrible.This film does not resemble "White Zombie" in the least, except for the voodoo references - it has more in common with "Pinky" (1949).Reed Howes, who had a long career (1923-1964) mostly uncredited parts - plays Wade Carson. Molly O'Day sister of the better known Sally O'Neil, had her best role as Curley Boyle in "The Patent Leather Kid" (1927). She plays Joyce, the Colonel's daughter.I can't recommend this film.
Hitchcoc
It isn't just that it's the most racist movie I've seen in a long time. It's just not very good. You have major parts played by white actors. In black and white, they don't even look dark. Then you have the ridiculous premise where the woman of "white blood" has longings she just can't explain. She is tilting toward her whiteness. Of course, it's obvious who the superior race is here. They lounge with their juleps and order the servants around. The "hero" is a monumental jerk, but he is a white guy. There's lots of talk about the problems of mixing with other races and it's a given, of course. The blacks also dance around doing their voodoo rites, totally "out of control." It's up to the landholder and his rich friends to take care of them. Also, Chloe was raised and loved by these people, but when she is revealed as a one hundred percent white woman, well, you can imagine what they're thinking. I realize how unenlightened people were (and how hateful). But it must have been viewed as a horrible depiction, even back in the 30's. I know that there is an historical perspective that applies here. Maybe we should all see this kind of stuff once in a while.
miketritico
I agree that the plot and presentation are flawed, however, there is value in seeing how some people perceived certain social situations during an earlier era in our history. Not all people at that time, of course, saw things the same way, nor would they have made the movie in the way that it was done, but I appreciate all the old films because each gives us a short look at things through other eyes.As for the complaint that the NAACP would not like the film, I am not sure about that. Maybe they would see some value in the enhanced exposure of certain attitudes, maybe not.Having grown up in Louisiana, I do think that the voodoo scenes were overdone and the man wrestling with an already dead alligator was pretty hokey, but I was pleased to see some clear water for a change. (I suspect that scene may have been filmed in Florida because by the 1930's we had pretty much ruined our bayous already.)Mike
