''Too Many Kisses'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Paul Sloane that is based on the John Monk Saunders story "A Maker of Gestures."Progressive Silent Film List: ''Too Many Kisses''
at silentera.com

Plot

Richard Gaylord Jr. is a modern Lothario who has so many sweethearts that his father does not know what to do with him. Tired of paying to get his son out of one romantic entanglement after another, Richard Gaylord Sr. sends his son to the

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

region of France, believing that the women there will only accept attentions from their own people. Almost immediately, local girl Yvonne Hurja becomes infatuated with Richard, whom she sees as being able to help her break free from the unwanted attention of local guardsman Julio. A rivalry grows between Richard and Julio.

Cast

Reception

A review in ''Billboard'' stated "This is an excellent selection for any exhibitor...Dix, as Richard Gaylord, is dashing and pleasing in every scene. His admirers especially will derive gratification from his work". A ''Variety'' review noted: "Incidentally 'Harpo' Marx, of musical comedy fame (Marx Brothers), does a half-wit that makes him a screen possibility for comedies who will bear watching".

Legacy

This film is notable for being the earliest surviving film to feature Harpo Marx of the Marx Brothers. It is the only film in which he did not star alongside his brothers. (His youngest brother Zeppo appeared in the similarly titled'' A Kiss in the Dark'', released three months later). Harpo plays the Village Peter Pan and technically has speaking lines (albeit not heard, because this is a silent film) for the first and last time in his career. For several years, ''Too Many Kisses'' had been considered a

lost film A lost film is a feature film, feature or short film in which the original negative or copies are not known to exist in any studio archive, private collection, or public archive. Films can be wholly or partially lost for a number of reasons. ...

until a print was discovered in the early 1970s. It has since been restored by the Film Preservation Society. On November 29, 2020, the film was shown on television for the first time on

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie channel, movie-oriented pay television, pay-TV television network, network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcas ...

and was released on Blu-ray the following day. Harpo's son Bill Marx composed and recorded a soundtrack for this restoration.

References

External links