Release
The film was a success and was the only silent independent film of Swanson's to do well at the box office. In fact it was one of her last financially successful films including the talkies, The Trespasser and Sunset Blvd. It went on to make $1 million during its US run. However, at Kennedy's advice Swanson had sold her distribution rights for the film to Schenck as Kennedy felt it would be a commercial failure. He also didn't care for the image Swanson portrayed in the film. By this point Queen Kelly had been a disaster and Swanson regretted it. The film made the top 10 best pictures of the year list as well. It would be the last film Raoul Walsh acted in, as he soon lost an eye in an accident.
The film was nominated by the Academy Awards for a Best Actress in a Leading Role (Gloria Swanson) and Best Cinematography. Swanson did not attend the ceremony, and always felt it was like 'comparing apples to oranges'.
Contemporary reviews called it 'racy' but found it excellent and especially praised Swanson's acting.
Read more about this topic: Sadie Thompson
Famous quotes containing the word release:
“We read poetry because the poets, like ourselves, have been haunted by the inescapable tyranny of time and death; have suffered the pain of loss, and the more wearing, continuous pain of frustration and failure; and have had moods of unlooked-for release and peace. They have known and watched in themselves and others.”
—Elizabeth Drew (1887–1965)
“The near touch of death may be a release into life; if only it will break the egoistic will, and release that other flow.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“As nature requires whirlwinds and cyclones to release its excessive force in a violent revolt against its own existence, so the spirit requires a demonic human being from time to time whose excessive strength rebels against the community of thought and the monotony of morality ... only by looking at those beyond its limits does humanity come to know its own utmost limits.”
—Stefan Zweig (18811942)