ANNIE LAURIE
starring Lillian Gish and Norman Kerry
PHOTOPLAY
July, 1927
A new and picturesque locale for a story - the Scottish Lowlands. Annie's home is neutral ground in the fight between the clans of Campbell and MacDonald. And how they fight! The story has swirl and dash, sometimes spoiled by over-cutting. Moreover, the studio carried the Scotch idea too far by using painted scenery instead of the real thing.
Norman Kerry as the mountain clansman who "has a wae wi' him" steals the picture from Miss Gish. He is a magnificent figure. John Robertson's direction is excellent - both spirited and charming. And Lillian Gish displays a vivacity heretofore unsuspected. But Kerry's performance is the thing that set the girls to humming "Annie Laurie" with a far off look in their eyes.
ANNIE LAURIE
starring Lillian Gish and Norman Kerry
MOTION PICTURE CLASSIC
August, 1927
"Annie Laurie" affords fulsome entertainment. It is substantial of plot, colorful in its action, settings and costumes - and charming and vigorous in its interpretation. No Scottish holiday is declared to build the feudal war between the Campbell and MacDonald clans - and yet it suggests in the thoroughness with which it has been created that much attention to detail - and much expenditure - have been employed.
The same Robertson who directed "Captain Salvation" and a Scot, himself, has seen to it that it travels directly to its thrilling climax after embellishing it with plentiful conflicts and contrasts.
The tender touches are saturated with charm and romance - and the rugged scenes suggest all the bluntness of Scotch character. The types are genuine, especially the braw, bewhiskered laddies and the bonnie bairns, Laurie Bairn, being played by Lillian Gish. She may be too ethereal for a lassie, but there's no denying her appeal in plaids and kilts. It is an effective performance by the star, even if she is not entirely in character. Norman Kerry, Hobart Bosworth and Russell Simpson are more representative of Scotland and the days when the clansmen fought wi' Wallace, et al.
The picture is alive with color and movement and has swing and rhythm that intrigue the eye as well as the imagination.