A Fading Romance

In 1945, many films were destroyed, including Krňanský's Song of Life (1924), The Story of One Day (1926), and The Mire of Prague (1927), but only fragments were left for the future. At the end of the 1950s, with the author's participation, this joint edit was made under the title A Fading Romance. Even back then it was considered an emergency solution, and today it is fascinating to find this particular edit somewhere deep in the #Edisonline film library. From today's perspective, the choice of additional music and the use of modern transitions between individual shots and intertitles is very distracting. But at the same time, it is a joy, because at least something has survived. In Song of Life, there is a very interesting etude with Růžena Hofmanová, who aspired to succeed Suzanne Marwille. The Story of One Day with Mary Jansová suggests a very interesting retelling of the classic novel by Ignát Herrmann, one of the most attractive writers who inspired filmmakers in the genre of old Prague pictures. And finally The Mire of Prague with the brilliant Bronislava Livia, based on the now cult novel by K. L. Kukla, confirms the current of opinion that says that this film could boldly eclipse Battalion, Such Is Life, and Tonka of the Gallows. (02/04/2022)