The Volga Boatman

William Boyd (as Feodor) is a Volga river boatman "whose broad breast and ringing voice never tired because he dreamed a dream of freedom." Elinor Fair (as Princess Vera) is "in that delightful feminine state of intending to say 'yes' but acting 'no'" to Victor Varconi (as Prince Dimitri Orloff), "an Officer of the Czar's Guard" who is "just a man waiting for a woman's 'yes' or 'no'." Ms. Fair and Mr. Varconi become engaged, but the Princess falls in love with the un-Princely Mr. Boyd. Their entanglements are played out against the Russian Revolution.

Nice looking film by Cecil B. DeMille, J. Peverell Marley, and others. The performances begin well; especially future "Hopalong Cassidy" star Boyd - in his scene meeting Fair and Varconi, Boyd intensely shows anger, lust, and disgust. Unfortunately, the film peaks there. If you make it through the running time, you should watch for the scene when Boyd gives Fair five minutes say her prayers, before he means to kill her - she rips her dress a little to mark her upper chest with an "X" for his targeting convenience! There are some additional titillating strip scenes (which don't titillate, by the way).

"The Volga Boatman" is as slow moving and predictable as its protagonist. Theodore Kosloff, Julia Faye, and Robert Edeson try to liven things up among the Red Russians. White Russian Varconi makes a wise decision at the end. Off-screen, Boyd and Fair would marry; surprisingly, there is noting very extraordinary about their on-screen romance - they look better with Faye and Varconi...

***** The Volga Boatman (1926) Cecil B. DeMille ~ William Boyd, Elinor Fair, Victor Varconi