The Wildcat

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Nick M A young officer is reassigned to a provincial fort because his success with the ladies is an embarrassment to high command. As he leaves his previous post he is swarmed by thousands of his former lovers showering him with their well wishes, along with a veritable horde of his illegitimate children. While en route to the fort (which looks like a cross between a battleship and a gingerbread house) he is tricked by a thief into parting with all of his valuables, right down to his trousers. Thus begins a cat and mouse game between the dashing (at least, that's what we're told) lieutenant and the mountain thief. Lubitsch comedies are always silly, and I love him for it, but this one takes the cake. It is so over the top that I think he may even out-absurd Mel Brooks (though he was 50 years ahead of him). Everything is outlandish - the battle, the parties, the architecture, the costumes... It's a sheer delight. This is also a bit out of the box for Pola Negri. She generally plays hellions, but usually they're also seductresses. This character is straight-up mangy. There is nothing sexy about her, but she plays it as big as the picture calls for and absolutely knocks it out of the park. There are so many unexpectedly funny moments that make this comedy a riotous success. One of my favorites is the band conductor at the party running back and forth haranguing, threatening, and badgering his group into playing well. The mountain thieves just happen to be infiltrating the fort at the time, and they so enjoy what they're hearing that they stop their sneaking and break out into a hysterical series of dances. What a gem! The only criticism I have is that where the romances settle at the end just doesn't make sense. There is no way that these people end up being happy together. That isn't what we were waiting for! Frustrated feelings aside, The Wildcat is an absolute treasure. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review DanTheMan 2 Ernst Lubitsch walked into an aspect ratio shop and asked for everything they had... The Wildcat is the result. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Audience Member This movie is from 1920. It's a very silly romantic comedy story surrounding a ridiculous war. The story was, like I say, really silly, and everyone was acting outrageously. The best parts were the comic scenes, the sets, and cinematography. It was all so cool looking. I wish the story could have been better, it's got a predictable ending. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Full of curious inventions, a great document of the silent era. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing film, that is to cinema what the Baron of Munchahausen is to children books. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Lubitsch's camera-work and playful mockery of frames is stunning. Pola Negri is wonderfully and viscerally improper as a woman (by early 20th century standards) and the ironic political farce is side-splitting. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Wildcat

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