The Loves of Casanova. 1927. France. Directed by Alexandre Volkoff. With Ivan Mosjoukine, Suzanne Bianchetti, Diana Karenne, Jenny Jugo. Silent, with piano accompaniment. 159 min.
Actor Mosjoukine and fellow Russian emigre director Volkoff, with whom he frequently collaborated, place the legendary Italian adventurer at the center of political and sexual intrigue across Europe. As the era of silent film came to a close at the time, the sophisticated color-stenciling technique developed by the Pathé company was an especially effective draw when applied to costume dramas such as this. The film’s carnival sequence, with harlequins, gondolas, balloons and fireworks, is a highlight in yellow, pink, red, and gold.