Mickey

I sure wish someone would restore the prints and create new soundtracks for these silent gems. This one, Mickey, a Mabel Normand - Mack Sennett comedy, is virtually screaming out for a restoration. It was extremely popular when it first came out in 1918, and a song "Mickey" sold a million sheets, and was recorded by many of the orchestras and singers of the day on 78 rpm records.

It's great fun, with Mabel (Mickey) playing a country miner's daughter who is sent East to live a privileged life in Great Neck, Long Island. Only the aunt who takes her in discovers that Mickey's mine is failing and so the poor girl is made a servant.

There is a sweet romance that brightens up the action, fight scenes, and a rather risque sequence where Mabel runs through the woods and dives from a rock into a lake stark naked. Definitely made before censorship came in!

Mickey is a great feature to watch if you are interested in what made Mabel Normand such a great star in her day. Drama queens in the silents are a dime a dozen, but true comedy stars, especially female, are rare and should never be forgotten.