Copyright 23 February 1927 by First National Pictures. U.S. release: 6 March 1927. New York opening at the Mark Strand: 18 April 1927. 7 reels. 6,734 feet. 75 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The ups and downs of a switchboard operator and a multi-millionaire in an elite New York hotel.
COMMENT: What a shame to have to see one of Colleen Moore's finest outings in a condensed 5-reel Kodascope Library black-and-white print, instead of a 7-reel tinted copy. True, the trimming has been expertly achieved and the worn print is quite watchable. In fact, nothing can dampen the comedic talents of Colleen as she runs the gamut of rich man to poor (and back again). And what I really like about this Alfred Santell movie, is that it's so extravagantly produced. Three or four of the most effective gags absolutely depend upon an open-handed check book, and it's pleasing to see that First National have not stinted in the least, but spent money like water just to obtain a few really hearty thirty-second laughs.
In one sequence, for instance, Jack Mulhall bribes the driver of a double-decker bus to overtake the vehicle on which Miss Moore is traveling. When the busses draw level, Jack (or rather, his stuntman) jumps from one to the other! In another sequence, in a real Lubitsch-type gag, Colleen applies for a job as a switchboard operator in a swank hotel. Ahead of her, winding up the staircase, is a queue of over a hundred literally dressed-to-the-nines mannequins. Of course there are many less expensive pleasures in the movie as well, not the least of which is Mickey Rooney's gag appearance as a cantankerous little midget! Gwen Lee, Jack Mulhall and Sam Hardy also contribute to the fun, but it's mostly Moore's movie from first to last. And that's the way we like it! AVAILABLE on DVD through Grapevine Video. Quality rating: Seven out of ten. This print is in black-and-white, not tinted. An extremely washed out, but pleasingly tinted print was once available from Sunrise Silents.
SYNOPSIS: The ups and downs of a switchboard operator and a multi-millionaire in an elite New York hotel.
COMMENT: What a shame to have to see one of Colleen Moore's finest outings in a condensed 5-reel Kodascope Library black-and-white print, instead of a 7-reel tinted copy. True, the trimming has been expertly achieved and the worn print is quite watchable. In fact, nothing can dampen the comedic talents of Colleen as she runs the gamut of rich man to poor (and back again). And what I really like about this Alfred Santell movie, is that it's so extravagantly produced. Three or four of the most effective gags absolutely depend upon an open-handed check book, and it's pleasing to see that First National have not stinted in the least, but spent money like water just to obtain a few really hearty thirty-second laughs.
In one sequence, for instance, Jack Mulhall bribes the driver of a double-decker bus to overtake the vehicle on which Miss Moore is traveling. When the busses draw level, Jack (or rather, his stuntman) jumps from one to the other! In another sequence, in a real Lubitsch-type gag, Colleen applies for a job as a switchboard operator in a swank hotel. Ahead of her, winding up the staircase, is a queue of over a hundred literally dressed-to-the-nines mannequins. Of course there are many less expensive pleasures in the movie as well, not the least of which is Mickey Rooney's gag appearance as a cantankerous little midget! Gwen Lee, Jack Mulhall and Sam Hardy also contribute to the fun, but it's mostly Moore's movie from first to last. And that's the way we like it! AVAILABLE on DVD through Grapevine Video. Quality rating: Seven out of ten. This print is in black-and-white, not tinted. An extremely washed out, but pleasingly tinted print was once available from Sunrise Silents.