Reel appraisal

As a retired filmmaker, I was pleased to find your excellent article about a 1928 Canadian film produced in Trenton, Ontario (“Reel Failure,” February- March 2022). The background information regarding the trials and tribulations of such an ambitious early Canadian film was most interesting.

Because of my interest in this great piece of Canadian history, I searched for and was able to locate and view the complete film on YouTube. In spite of the fact that it’s a silent movie, I was able to enjoy this somewhatforgotten film and therefore disagree with your article’s conclusion that it’s a failure.

Audiences of the time, I’m sure, appreciated the fine script and storyline as did I. The staging, lighting, camera work, and special effects are excellent. It’s certainly difficult for a viewer today to avoid any negative subjective judgment of actors who, at the time, had to adopt exaggerated facial expressions to convey meaning to their unheard dialogue.

That being said, I must report that Carry on Sergeant! is a fine example of early Canadian filmmaking. George Dunbar Toronto