Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 25, 2023

Note: This film is available on Blu-ray as part of Undercrank's release of Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian.

If a typical diehard film fan were asked to name a titan of early cinema with the surname Griffith, chances are just about everyone in this singular demographic would immediately respond with "D.W. Griffith", which in and of itself may help to point out the curious lack of remembrance for one of the silent era's most notable comic presences, Raymond Griffith. If you've never even heard of this particular Griffith, don't consider yourself uneducated, since many of this Griffith's films in which he appeared as an actor are presumably lost to the vagaries of time and tide, and if he's remembered at all these days, it may be more in his guise as either a producer or associate producer of any number of (talkie) films, including two Shirley Temple opuses, Heidi and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. As is discussed in an overview of Griffith's on screen career included as a bonus feature on this disc, he crafted an instantly recognizable persona that was kind of an arguably world weary dandy, replete with silk top hat and slightly sardonic attitude. Undercrank Productions, a label devoted to rescuing silent films from the veritable days of yore, with a little help from a Kickstarter campaign, is coming to the rescue of the lack of current day renown for Raymond Griffith by offering a double feature of the actor's silent film performances.

The sad situation of so much of Raymond Griffith's on screen performances having evidently been lost actually turns up in Paths to Paradise, since the seventh and last reel of this often very funny feature is missing, and is "summed up" in this presentation with a number of quasi- intertitles describing the action, which sounds like it must have been uproarious. Especially in its over the top climax (only some of which survives, until the missing reel), parts of Paths of Paradise reminded me of some of the stunt filled antics of some of the best Hal Roach comedies, but there's also a rather sly, almost literary, quality to the story, despite the obvious lack of actual dialogue.

The plot mechanics here posit Griffith as a would be (unnamed) con man who may be getting conned himself by pretty Molly (Betty Compson). The general story kind of presages much later efforts like To Catch a Thief and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, with a very fun, playful quality that may not have traditional "banter" in that there's no sparkling dialogue, but has the same sort of ebullient spirit that informed both of those entries.

As is mentioned in an opening disclaimer, this film has some "quaint" depictions of Asians which some may find objectionable. The disclaimer reads as follows:

This film is presented as a record of the past. It is a historical document which reflects the language, attitudes and beliefs of different times. The Library of Congress does not endorse the views presented in this film, which may contain content offensive to viewers.

Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paths to Paradise is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Undercrank Productions and the Library of Congress with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.32. A closing credits text card imparts the following information about the transfer:

Paths to Paradise (1925) was digitally restored at 2K resolution from a new scan of a 35mm nitrate print in the Paramount Collection at the Library of Congress. Two sections of decomposition were replaced using the Library's 35mm safety duplicate negative. The final reel is not known to survive and was recreated using stills and a cutting continuity script from the Margaret Herrick Library. The original tinting scheme was reinstated as detailed in the original script.

Another text card identifies Thad Komorowski as having performed the digital restoration, with Chris Crouse handling grading. Videophiles with some experience seeing silents on Blu-ray may be rather pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the print and/or whatever restoration gauntlet was undertaken. Yes, there are manifold instances of everything from scratches to slightly warped frames in evidence, but there's surprisingly little of what I'd personally term problematic quality issues. Detail levels are typically quite strong, though I found fine detail probably be better presented overall in the "regular" black and white sequences as opposed to the somewhat yellow tinting. Grain resolves naturally, but is perhaps not quite as evident as it is on this film's double feature sibling. Undercrank Productions offers its releases on BD-Rs, but I noticed no inherent quality fluctuations in that regard.

Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paths to Paradise features a Dolby Digital 2.0 track that offers Undercranked Productions' Ben Model on what is described in the closing credits as a "virtual organ". The sound is very "theater organ" like (and maybe at times just verging on "roller skating rink" territory), with huge washes of sound and quite a bit of reverb, and Model's score is appealingly jaunty throughout. Longtime readers of my reviews know that I chafe at Blu-ray discs offering only lossy audio options, and so part of my score above reflects that opinion.

Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Undercrank Productions is offering both Paths to Paradise and You'd Be Surprised on one disc, with the following supplement:

• Raymond Griffith: Silent Cinema's Silk Hatted Secret (HD; 11:17) is a fun and informative of Griffith's career as an actor, with a passing nod to his producing work as well.

Paths to Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While chances are probably slim, if anyone ever finds the missing last reel of this film and it is able to be successfully reintegrated into the offering, Paths to Paradise would be a fantastically energetic entertainment, despite any misgivings some may have over its depiction of supposed Asians. As it stands, the film has a number of nice laughs and a really fun twisty storyline, but I'm sure some will feel like I did that we were on the precipice of an amazing final reel, only to find out it's missing, which can't help but be a bit of a letdown. Technical merits are generally solid, though I'd love to see lossless audio for Model's music going forward. Recommended.