Run Time: 62 minutes. Studio: Preferred Pictures. Director: Louis J. Gasnier. Writer: Lois Hutchinson. Producer: B.P. Schulberg. Main Cast: Clara Bow, Lillian Leighton, Lou Tellegen, Donald Keith. Cinematographer: Allen G. Siegler
Clara Bow was the original "it" girl. It was a term that was popularized by romantic novelist Elinor Glyn. It refers to a woman who is not only physically attractive, but who's personality automatically draws someone to her. Clara Bow become so associated with this term that she even starred in a movie called It (1927). Watching her films today, this quality is still just as apparent. Though her screen presence is still very much of the 1920's, there is something special about her that transcends all of that. Somehow she is both of her time and timeless. This can be seen not only in her best known movies but also the ones that have often been overlooked, for instance my silent film of the month, Parisian Love.
Our story begins with two gangsters who are in love, Armand (Donald Keith) and Marie (Clara Bow). The two set to rob a wealthy man named, Pierre (Lou Tellegen). They get caught and Pierre helps Armand (an old friend) escape from the gangster life he has entered. Marie believing Armand is dead and that Pierre killed him, plots revenge, by making Pierre fall for her.
The story of this film is extremely over the top and takes more than a little suspension of disbelief. However this is overcome by simply how well the story is told. Clara is of course fantastic and immediately captures your attention whenever she is on screen. In many ways she simply makes this movie. The supporting cast on the other hand is mostly serviceable. An exception is Lillian Leighton who is great in a comedic role. She not only is giving the funniest scenes of the movie, but with her delivery proves herself to be a really good comedic actress in her own right. Her performance here shows perfectly why she should be better remembered by silent film fans. This is also a very good looking movie and its look at Paris is truly a treat for the eyes. Despite being best remembered for the infamously terrible, Reefer Madness (1936), Louis J. Gasnier shows that he is actually a talented director here, as this movie flows excellently and again looks great.
The following is an article (dated July 18, 1925) from Moving Picture World advertising the stars of the film, "Donald Keith and Aylee Mills, two new players brought forward this year by B.P. Schulberg [the founder of Preferred Pictures] in his endeavor to create new starring talent, will both be members of the featured cast of Gasnier's first Preferred Picture, for the next season, 'Parisian Love,' by F. Oakly Crawford. Clara Bow another played discovered by Mr. Schulberg and now a big box office name, head the 'Parisian Love' cast. Others featured include Lou Tellegen, Lillian Leighton, Jean De Braic and Otto Mathieson."
The following is an exhibitor's review from Motion Picture World, "Parisian Love: Clara Bow - Surprisingly good program picture. Paper very poor on it. - G. Carey, Strand Theatre, Paris Ark. - General Patronage." A review in Exhibitor's Trade Review stated, "The atmosphere of the Parisian underworld and the presence of the apaches in their natural habitat are the most interesting things about this film. There is a fair amount of plot, but the continuity is so poor that it is difficult to follow the sequences through the conclusion that seems anything but logical."
Although not a well regarded director today Louis J. Gasnier is not a highly regarded director today, he had received a good reputation during the silent era. This is largely due for his work with screen comedy legend an pioneer, Max Linder, as well as his work on the popular serial Perils of Pauline (1914). Moving Picture World advertised this movie by stating "The distinguished director is making a new series of Preferred Pictures for B.P. Schulberg. 'Parisian Love' is the first."
For anyone interested this movie can be found on YouTube.
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