Zwischen den Seilen (1929)

Zwischen den Seilen: Directed by William Wyler. With James Murray, Barbara Kent, George Kotsonaros, Wheeler Oakman. Dave Roberts is a professional boxer better at losing in fixed matches than in knocking out his opponents. He turns up in towns and is part of a group who sets up corrupt boxing matches. Dave’s life on the margins changes after he meets a mother and son. As he begins to care for them, he ultimately has to decide whether to continue in his low-life ways or turn the tables on those who have been forcing him to participate in them.

“THE SHAKEDOWN, restored to 35mm by George Eastman house, shown in 1998 in Pordenone, and in 1999 at Telluride, is a superb action-comedy about a boxer whose life changes when he meets up with an orphan boy. Love interest is provided by Barbara Kent, who may be remembered from her winning performance in LONESOME and later sound films.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWyler was not thought to have made any great silents, but this one is a classic, with fine camerawork, a captivating cast, a dynamic story, and an uplifting feeling. Audiences who saw this film in Pordenone and Telluride cheered and leapt to their feet at the end of the film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA two-piano score has been created for THE SHAKEDOWN and was premiered by Neal Brand and Donald Sosin at the Telluride Film Festival in September 1999. Plans are underway to tour this film around the US under the joint auspices of the Giornate del Cinema Muto in Italy and Telluride”