The Patsy (1928)

Director:

King Vidor

Writers:

Barry Conners (story), Agnes Christine Johnston (adaptation),

Stars:

Marion Davies, Orville Caldwell, Marie Dressler

Cast

Cast overview:
Marion Davies	...	Patricia Harrington
Orville Caldwell	...	Tony Anderson
Marie Dressler	...	Ma Harrington
Lawrence Gray	...	Billy Caldwell
Dell Henderson	...	Pa Harrington
Jane Winton	...	Grace Harrington

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

harbor | impersonation | argument | etiquette | motorboat | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Mädel mit Tempo

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cosmopolitan Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min 77 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was actually Marie Dressler's turnaround film. After having quite a slump in her career, Dressler was apparently having her last meal at a restaurant before killing herself when Allan Dwan, who was sitting at a nearby table, ended up offering her the role for King Vidor that night. The movie was a success, and Dressler's career skyrocketed again.

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Quotes

Ma Harrington: Don't say ain't.
Pa Harrington: I've said ain't for twenty-five years.
Ma Harrington: That ain't so!

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Connections

Referenced in The American Experience: The Battle Over Citizen Kane (1996)

User Reviews

Perfect

TCM will be showing this gem on April, 29th 2007. So be sure not to miss it!

This little silent film is very dear to my heart. When ever I am feeling down or crying over some problems at school; I always pop in The Patsy. It never fails to erase all the sorrows from my heart and I feel as good as new. This film is the perfect medicine.

The story is simple enough: Marion Davies plays Patricia Harrington who lives in an average, modest house with her normal everyday family. She crushes really bad on her sister's boyfriend Tony (Orville Caldwell) and she will stop at nothing to get him. Along with Pat's quest for her man, there is another side to the plot. Pat is sadly mistreated by her mother (Marie Dressler) who seems to prefer her sister (Jane Winton). Even though Pat has the sure love of her wonderful and sensitive father (Dell Henderson) she craves for her mother's love as well. So, as always, Pat picks a hilarious and clever way to finally get her mother's attention....

The Patsy's print looks brilliant and it has a flawless soundtrack by Vivek Maddala. His score for this film is even better than his score for Wild Oranges. Lots of the title cards are really funny and witty - I have so much fun reading them!

If you want to introduce somebody to silent films, show them this one, especially if they're a lady. Everybody loves comedy, the print is in good shape, the story is still common today, and there are no "over-the-top" acting styles that have turned people off silent films before in the past.