Clara Bow is “positively electric” as Alverna, a city gal wrangling romance in the great outdoors, in the great 1926 comedy role that made her a star. Live piano accompaniment by the wonderful Lillian Henley!
In Minneapolis, a couple of friends decide to head to the Great Outdoors to re-charge their manliness with a character-building hunting trip to Mantrap Landing in Canada. Meanwhile, Mantrap local Joe has visited the city looking for female company. Ten minutes into the film we meet Clara Bow as Alverna, who will upend all their plans.
The film zips along brilliantly as Alverna marries one of the fellas and decides she may have made a mistake, and there’s a lot of hilarious wilderness wrangling as the city dwellers (mis)manage tents, canoes and the startling situations that may be brought on by an excess of freedom and fresh air…
Based on a story by Sinclair Lewis, the scenario was developed with wit and verve by co-writers Adelaide Heilbron and Ethel Doherty, directed by Victor Fleming who had been in the business since the 1910s and would go on to GONE WITH THE WIND and THE WIZARD OF OZ. Without doubt one of the very finest and most fun romcoms of the silent era, this, after having already appeared in 35 films, was Clara’s star-making role – her wild reviews included this from the Chicago Tribune: “That young sparkler, Clara Bow, almost puts your eyes out this trip! Scintillates all over the piece. She’s positively electric.”
NB Earlier start time this month
Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Clara Bow, Ernest Torrence, Percy Marmont, Eugene Pallette
Year: 1926
Language: Silent with live piano accompaniment
Country: USA
Running time: 1hr 11mins