Few film titles are more indicative of the 1920’s than The Flapper. Some sources claim this to be the first Hollywood movie to depict the flapper lifestyle. However one must keep in mind that the main character is not the full-on flapper that actress like Clara Bow would latter play. The character is more a girl who is considered scandalous, but is very innocent compared to the actual flapper lifestyle. For instance part of the flapper image was a causal easygoing view of sex and "petting parties" were an idea often associated with them. Yet our heroine's filtrations are very innocent and come from childlike crushes and boredom with the straight laced world around her. However at the end she does put on an act of having become a real flapper and this hilarious scene is certainly a highlight.
16 year old Ginger (Olive Thomas) lives in a small town that is very socially conservative, where any form of flirting is considered scandalous. Though a very good girl at heart, her playful and flirtatious ways make her branded as immoral and out of control. Because of this she is sent to a strict boarding school, but this is hardly enough to change her. She ends getting into more trouble than she could have imagined when she lies about her age to impress an older man (William P. Carelton) and learns about a classmate’s (Katherine Johnson) plan to rob the school.
The Flapper is a fast, breezy and incredibly fun movie. Despite this movie being considered the first representation of flappers in Hollywood it is not a film to take seriously. There is a moral as our main character learns a lesson, but that is never the point of the movie. This film instead just sets out to be fun and it succeeds wonderfully. The film is just as energetic and playful as its main character. Helping make this movie work so well is how utterly delightful Olive Thomas is as the lead. Her performance has a natural energy and playfulness perfect for the character. It is hard to believe with her sheer youthful energy and charm (due to accidental ingesting her husbands syphilis medication) at the age of 25. The film also benefits heavily from a very clever script by Francis Marion and fast breezy direction of Alan Crosland.
A review in Moving Picture World stated "'The Flapper' must be ranked very high as an amusing entertainment." A review in The Film Daily stated "Frances Marion's plot and the wealth of amusing situations she has provided center around the life of a young boarding school girl who, realistically wants to be thought older than she is and who in the bargain would like to be looked upon as sophistication itself. It is is a role ideally suited to Olive Thomas one which she handles extremely well. The following is an exhibitors review from the Exhibitors Review, "The Flapper, with Olive Thomas. - A light comedy drama that will appeal to all. The snow scenes are especially attractive for summer showing. - T.B. Melzer, Lyric theatre, New Ulm, Minn." The following is another, "The Flapper, with Olive Thomas - This is surely at splendid picture. A good moral and good acting. Certainly a shame to lose such a star as Olive Thomas, and still have to run some others, you wish were dead. - C.L German, Royal Springs, Kans. Neighborhood Patronage." Next is yet another one. "The Flapper, with Olive Thomas. - Fairly good but too much kid stuff in it to please adults. Business fine the first day. Fell down badly the second. - John Hafner, Princess Theatre, Donora, Pa. -Neighborhood patronage." Another one next. "The Flapper, with Olive Thomas. - Ran this the following announcement of this wonderful little star's death. She has always been one of my greatest favorites and almost every patron expressed their regret at losing her along with their admiration of the picture. - C.E. Morrow, Lyric Theatre, Bement, Ill. -Small town patronage." Here is one more. "The Flapper, with Olive Thomas - As usual Olive Thomas is a drawing card for us. This one especially strong for the younger people. - C.T. Metcalf, Opera House, Greenfield, Ill. -Small Town Patronage." The following is a review from Photoplay, "A perfect nut sundae jag is 'The Flapper.' It is all about the goings on of a silly, charming and charming boarding school flapper who wants to be tough and doesn't care how many ice cream sodas she drinks. It is a regular banana frappe of a picture; amusing without being inebriating. Olive Thomas is the most delectable flapper that has ever evaded a chaperone. Her tiny step-sister has an important supporting role in which she plays enchantingly."
The following page is a review from The Film Daily. If you have trouble reading it click on the page and use your touch screen to zoom in.
If you want to see this movie, it is fortunately on YouTube.
-Michael J Ruhland
100 anos
ReplyDelete