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When the Clouds Roll By

Play trailer Poster for When the Clouds Roll By Released Dec 28, 1919 1h 17m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In this silent film, Daniel Boone Brown (Douglas Fairbanks) is a pleasure-seeking playboy carousing around New York City without a care in the world -- that is, until he becomes the unwitting subject of a series of experiments at the hands of a sadistic psychiatrist named Doctor Ulrich Metz (Herbert Grimwood). Through various means of control, the mad scientist drives Daniel to think he's losing his mind, but ultimately introduces him to the lovely Lucette (Kathleen Clifford).

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When the Clouds Roll By

Critics Reviews

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Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Uneven film has a brilliant dream sequence, with Fairbanks walking on walls and the ceiling. Feb 1, 2012 Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online Based on a scenario written by Fairbanks himself, it's a strange and surreal comedy... Dec 24, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nick M God, I love Douglas Fairbanks. His sense of humor is heartwarming and timeless, and this film is one of the best of his comedies I've yet seen. As one would expect, the acrobatics are impressive as always, his million dollar smile is just as infectious, and the intertitles are hilarious in and of themselves, but this film is just *special*. Normally we see him as a man's man and best-friend-to-the-world type, but for a switch his character in Clouds is neurotic, fear-driven, and ineffectual. A nefarious psychologist has chosen him as a research subject to see what it takes to bring a man to the point of death through circumstance and mental state alone. At every turn he conspires to ruin Fairbanks's life as the poor man attempts to better himself. As I write this it sounds like a tragedy or psychological thriller, but it is very much a comedy! His character arc is delightful to behold, the narrative is zippy, well-constructed, and thoroughly entertaining, and Fairbanks himself simply buzzes with energy. The man hardly ever stops moving, and each choice feels natural and genuine. Surprisingly, the film ventures into what might be described as proto-surrealism at a couple of junctures, which I certainly wasn't expecting. I don't want to get into any more specifics because I would hate to ruin any surprises for anyone, but the last 20 minutes or so are particularly awesome and hilarious in turn. This is a must-see! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Audience Member The best romance movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A very bizzare but interesting film none the less, a quirky odd love story. There are some amazing scenes in this film. For example the lead Douglas Fairbanks consumes his dinner then the film goes into his stomach and the food is dancing around very odd, but fascinating to watch. Although this film starts so oddly it settles for a romantic formula film and looses it's uniqueness. It's a shame because the film could have been great a unique silent cinema experience, there isn't a lot like it, well for the first half of the film at least. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
When the Clouds Roll By

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this silent film, Daniel Boone Brown (Douglas Fairbanks) is a pleasure-seeking playboy carousing around New York City without a care in the world -- that is, until he becomes the unwitting subject of a series of experiments at the hands of a sadistic psychiatrist named Doctor Ulrich Metz (Herbert Grimwood). Through various means of control, the mad scientist drives Daniel to think he's losing his mind, but ultimately introduces him to the lovely Lucette (Kathleen Clifford).
Director
Victor Fleming
Producer
Douglas Fairbanks
Screenwriter
Douglas Fairbanks, Thomas J. Geraghty
Distributor
Grapevine Video
Production Co
Douglas Fairbanks Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 28, 1919, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2015
Runtime
1h 17m
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