100 PERCENT American isn't a "real" movie - it's a war bond drive short told in dramatic form so don't expect it to be as entertaining as a bona fide Mary Pickford movie. It IS however quite charming and one of the best done films of this nature, even up against later "talkie" examples. Mary Pickford stars as a small town girl who while originally flippant upon hearing of the necessities of saving money and investing in war bonds, nevertheless denies herself luxuries like new dresses, ice cream sundaes, and even trolley tickets to save for war bonds. Her friend, however isn't quite so self-sacrificing.
There is quite a bit of light humor in this effective little piece of patriotism and it's biggest asset is Mary Pickford at perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen her. Mary plays a young woman her own age, twenty-something, and she is absolutely a vision in lovely clothes, especially her first scene in a fetching outfit complete with cap. And I love one of the opening screen boards reading "Americans are extremists...what we earn in six days, we spend in two hours" suggesting at least some things never change even after almost 100 years.
There is quite a bit of light humor in this effective little piece of patriotism and it's biggest asset is Mary Pickford at perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen her. Mary plays a young woman her own age, twenty-something, and she is absolutely a vision in lovely clothes, especially her first scene in a fetching outfit complete with cap. And I love one of the opening screen boards reading "Americans are extremists...what we earn in six days, we spend in two hours" suggesting at least some things never change even after almost 100 years.