Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (1926)

The tale of two sisters with the older one pledged to look after the younger one that transpires between a department store, NYC's Central Park and a boarding house. THe older one is the ... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Tuttle

Writers:

George Abbott (play), John V.A. Weaver (play)

Stars:

Evelyn Brent, Lawrence Gray, Louise Brooks

Cast

Credited cast:
Evelyn Brent	...	Mame Walsh
Lawrence Gray	...	Bill Billingsley
Louise Brooks	...	Janie Walsh
Osgood Perkins	...	Lem Woodruff
Jack Egan	...	Cartwright
Marcia Harris	...	Miss Streeter
Edward Garvie	...	Mr. Whinfer (as Edward Garvey)
Vera Sisson	...	Mrs. Whinfer
Joseph McClunn	...	August Whinfer
Arthur Donaldson	...	Mr. McGonigle
Elise Cavanna	...	Miss Gimple
Dorothy Mathews	...	Minnie
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Blanche Le Clair

Storyline

The tale of two sisters with the older one pledged to look after the younger one that transpires between a department store, NYC's Central Park and a boarding house. THe older one is the sweet, old-fashioned type and the younger is a jazz-age flapper who takes whatever falls her way. Mame, the older, goes on vacation and returns home to find that her kid sister, Janie, has vamped her way into the arms of Mame's intended.

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Plot Keywords:

jazz age | flapper | vacation | rescue | promise | 

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Taglines:

LAUGHS- LAUGHS - LAUGHS! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Osgood Perkins was the Father of Anthony Perkins.

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Quotes

Mame Walsh: [title card] Go on to the dance. I'll get your money from that cheap crook.
Janie Walsh: [title card] I won't enjoy a single minute of the dance, worrying about you.

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Connections

Version of The Saturday Night Kid (1929)

User Reviews

You just can't keep a bad girl down!

The verse novel has now gone right out of fashion, but in the teens and twenties, it was quite a popular literary form. In fact, this piece by John Van Alstyne Weaver was so successful that both a play and a movie adaptation were always on the cards.

Despite an extremely negative review by Mordaunt Hall in "The New York Times", the movie was a big hit too—and no wonder! The screenplay cleverly showcases the charismatic Louise Brooks in a made-to-order role as a super-attractive bad girl, on the make for any male that crosses her path. The sultry, splendidly selfish Louise has no trouble stealing the picture, even though Evelyn Brent (playing her motherly sister) puts up a noble fight throughout.

Aside from Arthur Donaldson as the ebullient Schwartz, the other players are no match at all for Miss Brooks, although Osgood Perkins makes the most of his innings as a sneaky, rooming-house, would-be Romeo. Lawrence Gray comes across as a rather dull and impassive hero, but it really doesn't matter much as all the colorful lines and business are handed principally to Miss Brooks, with a few snippets to Brent (who does collar our attention in the final reel), Donaldson and Perkins.

Director Frank Tuttle has not only handled the proceedings with admirable pace and flair, but by his astute choice of camera angles cleverly disguises the fact that, as usual, he has nailed the camera to the floor. Production values, as might be expected from Paramount, are absolutely top-grade. The setting in a New York department store is brilliantly realized. In short, "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" still comes over in 2008 as an unmitigated delight.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

19 March 1926 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amá-las e Deixá-las

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1