For National Silent Movie Day this year, the National Film Preservation Foundation hired me to score two rare silent features that they’ve posted to their online screening room. One of these is the crime melodrama My Lady’s Lips (1925), which stars Alyce Mills and William Powell, and whose supporting cast includes Ford Sterling, Sōjin Kamiyama, and a young Clara Bow.
William Powell’s character shaves off his signature mustache as part of his story arc, and it’s interesting to see him in a role this way. During the silent era, Powell was typically cast as some sort of villain or devious character in support of the rest of the film’s players, and his getting to be the lead in this film is a definite change of pace. Mr. Kamaya’s part is one that also slightly atypical for him; although he plays one of the gangsters, his character is not as stereotyped as the roles he was usually cast in. Although Clara Bow’s part is a small one, it’s good to see her in the context of all the films she was in during this period when she was on her way to becoming the “it girl”.
The direction is good, and there are some very creatie and inventive visual touches to the storytelling, where things are conveyed by not being shown or being suggested at onscreen. I always take notice of these, especially when they’re in an obscure film like this one, as it cements the idea that this inhabiting of the silent film universe was widespread by many film directors.
The film is posted on the NFPF’s Screening Room with excellent film notes, and I’ll leave you to read them yourself rather than try to write up something about the film for you here. I talk about my process of scoring this film on the next episode of my Silent Film Music Podcast, which will be posted during October 2026.
To watch My Lady’s Lips click/tap here or on the image below.
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