the audience applauded

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Lilac Time which starred Colleen Moore was a big boost to the career of Gary Cooper. He played the British flier who was stationed on a base at Colleen Moore's farm during the World War. He cuts quite a dashing figure as a British air ace and son of British General Burr McIntosh.This film is a great example of the universality of silent films where the very American speaking Cooper and Moore could get away with playing a British and a French national respectively. In Cooper's career afterward, when playing in a foreign setting it was always explained he was Canadian, he was one of the first of Hollywood leading men to have that gambit used when sound arrived. But in the silent era the only demand was that one be photogenic and no one was more photogenic than Gary Cooper.Lilac Time was a play written by and starring Jane Cowl on Broadway during the 1917 season. It was one of Cowl's bigger hits on Broadway and a pity she didn't do the screen version. It concerns a small base of the Royal Flying Corps established on the farm of Eugene Besserer and her daughter Colleen Moore. Moore is something of a mascot to the men, but when she spots Cooper she doesn't want to be thought of as a pet.As for Cooper he's got a fiancé back home, one of those aristocratic arranged marriages and his fiancé is played by Kathryn McGuire. At first he and Moore do not get along, he regards her as a nuisance. But the chemistry kicks in after a while.Lilac Time made at the tail end of the silent era was one of the first films to have a music score written for it. The copy I have is a compilation of old World War I era ballads, but with the popular standard written expressly for this film, Jeannine, I Dream Of Lilac Time. This was one of the first songs written directly for the screen, albeit for a silent film. It and the rest of the score is done on a Wurlitzer organ and the song makes this film a candidate for revivals at festivals. Gene Austin had a big selling record of this song in 1928 when the film came out.Viewed over 80 years after it came out, Lilac Time still holds up very well, a bit melodramatic, but a nice romance.

In 1918, flighty farm girl Colleen Moore (as Jeannine Berthelot) becomes attached to seven British fliers, who are stationed near her home, in France; and, the airborne group is just as fond of the charming Ms. Moore. Sadly, one of the pilots dies, after a typically dangerous mission; quickly, he is replaced by Gary Cooper (as Phillip Blythe). Mr. Cooper has arrived to do his "bit" for his British country, and fiancée. Although they may not acknowledge the fact, it's obviously love at first flight for Moore and Cooper. Once Moore and Cooper pledge their love, he and his men are ordered out on a suicide mission...The popularity of Moore and the aviation theme were enough to make "Lilac Time" bloom at the box office. Moore handles the comedy/drama characterization well; and, Cooper is a handsome love interest. Their overblown love story becomes too maudlin, however. Although Moore (especially) and Cooper play their romantic meeting and courtship exceedingly well; the comic set-up, and proceeding situation, makes it all quite ludicrous. The fate of the squadron, the bombing of Moore, and the Grande Finale may combine to induce feelings of nausea. ****** Lilac Time (8/3/28) George Fitzmaurice ~ Colleen Moore, Gary Cooper, Jack Stoney

turned from flapper and comedy roles (like "Flaming Youth" and "Ella Cinders") to a great WW I romance, Lilac Time. Moore plays a French village girl who falls in love with a British flying ace (Gary Cooper). Not much happens, but it's a sweet romance and was a big hit in its day. This film also established Cooper as a star. Some OK dog fight footage helps enliven this war film, but it's the chemistry between the stars that makes it special. Good special effects for its time, and a socko ending with Moore being told Cooper has died of his wounds.... A real tear jerker but it works. Among the co-starts are Eugenie Besserer and Arthur Lake. Colleen Moore had a great face and is very expressive, allowing her to under act, a skill that made Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish tops stars.

How great can a film be? This is one of the answers to that. Sweet Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper are a perfect couple, and Lilac Time a perfect love story. Forget Titanic! Bring a handkerchief when you see this.