The criminal underworld respects matronly landlady Helen Ware (as Susie). Several ex-gangsters live in her New York City boarding house. After negotiating a truce among a group of visiting crooks, Ms. Ware receives some happy news. Her handsome adopted son Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Richard "Dick" Rollins) has become engaged. Ware has raised Mr. Fairbanks to be a "good boy" and avoid criminal elements, so she is shocked and horrified to learn his fiancée is common chorus girl Billie Dove (as Mary Martin). Considering the company Ware keeps, we wonder how she reared Fairbanks in relative purity...
In its present condition, "One Night at Susie's" runs just over an hour, normal for lower range productions of the period. However, the running time given most often is that of just under 90 minutes - more of a top "Warner Bros-First National" production. The personnel suggests the longer running time, which would indicate substantial missing footage. Since Helen Ware appears to be the star, rather than Billie Dove, it could be that Ms. Dove's part diminished. Dove has a fly crawl on her white hat and coat during her character's first visit to "Sing Sing" prison; since nobody ordered re-takes, perhaps Dove and/or the film got demoted...
A "box office" star during the late 1920s, Dove was improving after a tenuous transition from "silent" pictures. The very busy namesake son of superstar Douglas Fairbanks gets make-up and lighting help. Veteran character actor Tully Marshall (as Buckeye Bill) has fun playing with Ware. Most renowned on stage, this is Ware's story. Director John Francis Dillon moves the play around Ware's mysterious character. Kicking the film up a notch is photographer Ernest Haller. Beginning with Fairbanks' solo work scenes, Mr. Haller engages the viewer with interesting angles and focus. The courtroom scene is a most unusual highlight.
****** One Night at Susie's (10/19/30) John Francis Dillon ~ Helen Ware, Billie Dove, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Tully Marshall
In its present condition, "One Night at Susie's" runs just over an hour, normal for lower range productions of the period. However, the running time given most often is that of just under 90 minutes - more of a top "Warner Bros-First National" production. The personnel suggests the longer running time, which would indicate substantial missing footage. Since Helen Ware appears to be the star, rather than Billie Dove, it could be that Ms. Dove's part diminished. Dove has a fly crawl on her white hat and coat during her character's first visit to "Sing Sing" prison; since nobody ordered re-takes, perhaps Dove and/or the film got demoted...
A "box office" star during the late 1920s, Dove was improving after a tenuous transition from "silent" pictures. The very busy namesake son of superstar Douglas Fairbanks gets make-up and lighting help. Veteran character actor Tully Marshall (as Buckeye Bill) has fun playing with Ware. Most renowned on stage, this is Ware's story. Director John Francis Dillon moves the play around Ware's mysterious character. Kicking the film up a notch is photographer Ernest Haller. Beginning with Fairbanks' solo work scenes, Mr. Haller engages the viewer with interesting angles and focus. The courtroom scene is a most unusual highlight.
****** One Night at Susie's (10/19/30) John Francis Dillon ~ Helen Ware, Billie Dove, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Tully Marshall