SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

George Arliss, pursing his lips and sneering and maintaining a dignity-through-deviltry poise, is the Brit-hating rajah in this high-flown adaptation of a silent in which he also starred. By today's standards, it's both melodramatic and hilariously racist, with the rajah and his subjects being both polite and murderous to three Brits who have crash-landed in the Himalayas and are about to be sacrificed for the concurrent deaths of three of Arliss's subjects. H.B. Warner and Ralph Forbes indulge in amusing early-talkie overacting, and Alice Joyce at least manages some minimal poignancy as the grieving, about-to-die mother of two kids she fears she'll never see again. It's typical of this early 20th century Western-centrism that Arliss's proposition to her--become my wife, and I'll spare your life--is a fate worse than death, and that she and Forbes, the pilot who crashed, belatedly confess their love for one another, for no discernible plot reason. The early-talkie recording and pacing are uncertain, and the ooga-booga natives are offensive. But is it fun? Oh, yes, mostly for the wrong reasons.

This film was hampered by the newness of the sound process--so please keep this in mind if you watch it. Early talkies tended to appear very claustrophobic--with all the action confined to small space on screen due to primitive recording equipment that could only pick up sound directly under the microphones. In addition, several innovations were still in the future--such as providing incidental music during the film. Believe it or not, to get music, an orchestra had to perform live just off camera! And, finally, some of these sound films did not feature integrated sound (by encoding it on the side of the film strip) but on a separate record--which caused MANY problems with perfect synchronization and the records wearing out after only a few performances. This Warner Brothers/Vitaphone release is one of these sound films employing a record. However, in an odd twist, years after the film was made the accompanying disk was transferred to film stock. To do so, the left edge of the film strip needed to have the sound encoding added--explaining why a bit of the left side of the print is clipped. So, when you see the film, bear all this in mind.The film is set in a mythical kingdom along the border with India. A group of three travelers have trouble with their airplane and are forced to land. At first their reception by the local king (George Arliss) is very cordial. However, he and the travelers know the same secret--the Indian government has three of Arliss' countrymen and are planning on executing them. Now, with these three travelers in his control, Arliss can hold them hostage and possibly kill them in retribution. Naturally, the three want to escape or contact the British authorities in India about their plight."The Green Goddess" is divided into roughly two sections--the first one that consists of Arliss and the three acting cordial and then verbally sparring and the second involving their escape plans. The initial segment is very talky and static--the second very violent and more exciting (with a horrifying scene near the end). However, at no point in all this does any of this seem realistic in the least. Part of this is because the British Arliss is a bit silly as an Asian. The rest of this is that the script is very old fashioned and never the least bit believable. However, for fans of old-time cinema it's still worth seeing mostly because it's one of Arliss' surviving films and there just aren't that many opportunities to see this famous silent star--most of his films have simply become lost to the ravages of time. Not a great film but worth while if you are a true cinema freak.

For the historically challenged it may come as a surprise that once upon a time England (Great Britain) was the foremost power in the World. The Empire which 'The Sun Never Sets On'. Two (2) World Wars and the break-up of that Empire has reduced it too its former colonies Eastern outpost and unsinkable Aircraft Carrier.THE GREEN GODDESS (1930) is a remake of its silent predecessor, '1923' which was inspired by its stage origin, '1921'. All three featured early 20th Century Stage and Screen Star, George Arliss. Mr. Arliss had a habit of playing eccentric and/or historical characters, first for Warner Brothers then later at 20th Century Fox. This was not the first nor last time that Mr. Arliss would successfully either transfer a stage triumph or remake the silent version for the Silver Screen.'THE NUTS'; A forced landing of three (3) British subjects in a Kingdom north of India are held hostage by 'The Raja of Rukh' (ARLISS). The price of their freedom, the release of his three (3) murderous half-brothers condemned to death. If not released they will forfeit their lives too the Raja's rather blood thirsty subjects. Who curiously seem to resent the 'British Raj' running of their country, go figure? How does it end just requires that you watch it for it is interesting viewing, nuff said.The film is unusual for its time for showing the resentment that the indigenous peoples had for their British Over-Lords. Most Hollywood films payed homage to the Empire so they would get wide release and profits from their product. Opponents too 'the Empire' were portrayed as fanatical 'nuts' or worse. Though Mr. Arliss's acting style seems stage bound by todays conventions he is still a commanding presence and recommend not only this film but others he did for viewing.On a last note, fret not England. Another former empire is our Western outpost and Aircraft Carrier. A former Naval pupil of yours, called Japan. So you are in good company.

A small plane is forced down somewhere near the Himalayas. On board are an English major, his young wife and their doctor friend. The plane lands in the tiny Princedom of Rukh, ostensibly under the British Viceroy, but actually ruled by a curiously deranged old Raja. The three visitors find themselves at the mercy of the Raja and are caught up in his lustful plots & plans.This very early talkie is an interesting little curio and still fun to watch. George Arliss is a fascinatingly sardonic Raja. His every word & gesture entertain the imagination. Mr. Arliss was a very important & distinguished English actor working in Hollywood in the 1930's, although now he's sadly neglected. This was his first talkie - (but was released after DISRAELI). All of his Warner Brothers movies are very entertaining, if you can find them.In the supporting cast are Ralph Forbes as the heroic doctor; H.B. Warner & Alice Joyce as the callous Major & his estranged wife; gaunt Nigel de Brulier as a suspicious temple priest; and Ivan Simpson as the Raja's wicked butler.