Former stage star Alice Joyce (as Ethel "Buddy" Westcourt) stays at home while her husband and daughter enjoy a life of cruising, boozing, and romantic entanglements. When she finally decides to go out on the town, Ms. Joyce meets playboy Conway Tearle (as Gerald "Jerry" Naughton), who has been seen with Joyce's frequently tipsy daughter Clara Bow (as Catherine "Kittens" Westcourt). To protect Ms. Bow's tenuous honor, Joyce makes a date with Mr. Tearle. Her loneliness is over when Joyce unexpectedly falls in love with Tearle. He returns her love, and proposes. But, husband Norman Trevor (as Hugh "Hughie" Westcourt) has called it quits with his latest mistress, and wants his wife back...
What should Joyce do?
Her character's decision puts "Dancing Mothers" ahead of its time. This was a great role for Joyce, who became one of film's first huge movie actresses in 1912 (and, she was wildly popular throughout the decade). Her restrained style was often heralded by critics, and Joyce might have been considered for a "Best Actress" Oscar, had they started a couple of years earlier. Joyce's confrontation with Bow, and her final scene, are most memorable. It helped that Joyce was directed by Herbert Brenon, a favorite director who used her well. This was a top "Paramount" production, with veterans Dorothy Cumming and Eleanor Lawson, plus young Donald Keith rounding out what could then be called an "All-Star" cast.
******** Dancing Mothers (3/1/26) Herbert Brenon ~ Alice Joyce, Conway Tearle, Clara Bow, Donald Keith
What should Joyce do?
Her character's decision puts "Dancing Mothers" ahead of its time. This was a great role for Joyce, who became one of film's first huge movie actresses in 1912 (and, she was wildly popular throughout the decade). Her restrained style was often heralded by critics, and Joyce might have been considered for a "Best Actress" Oscar, had they started a couple of years earlier. Joyce's confrontation with Bow, and her final scene, are most memorable. It helped that Joyce was directed by Herbert Brenon, a favorite director who used her well. This was a top "Paramount" production, with veterans Dorothy Cumming and Eleanor Lawson, plus young Donald Keith rounding out what could then be called an "All-Star" cast.
******** Dancing Mothers (3/1/26) Herbert Brenon ~ Alice Joyce, Conway Tearle, Clara Bow, Donald Keith