The Last Performance

Famed magician, hypnotist Erik the Great (Conrad Veidt) has a Svengali issue with his comely underage assistant Julie (Mary Philbin). Awaiting the day for her to turn 18 he stage manages an over the top dinner party to announce their engagement. Unfortunately due to his charitable ways he takes on a second story man as an assistant who Julie falls for much to the delight of Erik's other bitter assistant.

A last gasp (1929) silent featuring some outstanding set design, tracking shots and the magnetic mugs of Veidt and Philbin, The Last Performance allows itself little time to build (barely an hour) with the young lovers clicking in no time with little development. The incredibly graceful and intimidating Veidt with his hands and eyes is always a fascinating watch especially when he has to do a painful 180 at the engagement soiree. The bottom falls out in the second half though with a revenge plot playing out tediously and a Perry Mason like finale for the ages. The Last Performance is a poor one.