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:
“The steel decks rock with the lightning shock, and shake with the
great recoil,
And the sea grows red with the blood of the dead and reaches for his spoil—
But not till the foe has gone below or turns his prow and runs,
Shall the voice of peace bring sweet release to the men behind the
guns!”
—John Jerome Rooney (1866–1934)
“If I were to be taken hostage, I would not plead for release nor would I want my government to be blackmailed. I think certain government officials, industrialists and celebrated persons should make it clear they are prepared to be sacrificed if taken hostage. If that were done, what gain would there be for terrorists in taking hostages?”
—Margaret Mead (1901–1978)
“An inquiry about the attitude towards the release of so-called political prisoners. I should be very sorry to see the United States holding anyone in confinement on account of any opinion that that person might hold. It is a fundamental tenet of our institutions that people have a right to believe what they want to believe and hold such opinions as they want to hold without having to answer to anyone for their private opinion.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)