My Best Girl (1927)

A department store's stock girl falls in love with a co-worker, the son of the store's manager; the feeling is mutual though he is engaged to a debutante and focusing on becoming successful without the influence of his father.

Director:

Sam Taylor

Writers:

Kathleen Norris (from the story by), Allen McNeil (screen play)

Stars:

Mary Pickford, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Sunshine Hart

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mary Pickford	...	Maggie Johnson
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers	...	Joe Grant (as Charles Rogers)
Sunshine Hart	...	Ma Johnson
Lucien Littlefield	...	Pa Johnson
Carmelita Geraghty	...	Liz Johnson
Hobart Bosworth	...	Robert Merrill
Evelyn Hall	...	Esther Merrill
Avonne Taylor	...	Millicent Rogers
Mack Swain	...	The Judge
John Junior	...	Nick Powell

Storyline

Joe Merrill, son of the millionaire owner of a chain of 5 and 10 cent stores, poses as Joe Grant, and takes a job in the stockroom of one of his father's stores, to prove that he can be a success without his father's influence. There he meets stockroom girl Maggie Johnson, and they fall in love. This causes problems, because Mrs. Merrill had planned for her son to marry Millicent Rogers, a high society girl.

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Plot Keywords:

california | department store | party | shopgirl | courtship | 

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Taglines:

My Girl is a symphony of Laughter, adventure and thrilling suspense, but its theme- the quivering background of a cello melody- is LOVE. Live again the gentle thrills of doubt,and wonderment- of stolen moments in youth's bright paradise. (Print Ad- Republican-Journal, ((Ogdensburg, NY)) 10 December 1928)

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Pickford's last silent film, released just after The Jazz Singer (1927) with Al Jolson.

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Quotes

Maggie Johnson: He's a swell actor - his uncle knows Lon Chaney!

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Alternate Versions

The Mary Pickford Foundation copyrighted a restored version in 1998 with music composed by David Michael Frank and performed by Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Zlin, Bill Motzing conducting. It was released on video by Milestone Films and runs 80 minutes.

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Connections

Featured in Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies (2008)

User Reviews

Mary Pickford Is "My Best Girl"

Mary Pickford (as Maggie Johnson) is a lowly "5 & 10 cent" stockroom worker. One day, while covering a salesclerk's station, she encounters cute Charles "Buddy" Rogers (as Joe "Grant" Merrill). Ms. Pickford thinks Mr. Rogers is a customer; so, she tries to sell him on a Devil Doll - blowing it up for size! The two are mutually attracted; and, Rogers is happily assigned to be Pickford's stockroom ward. Pickford doesn't know it, but Rogers is actually millionaire store owner Hobart Bosworth (as Robert E. Merrill)'s son, posing as a "commoner" in order to earn some business sense. Moreover, Rogers is engaged to marry his societal equal, Avonne Taylor (as Millicent Rogers)…

This was Pickford's final silent film; and, in hindsight, she might have been wise to end her career right here, on top. "My Best Girl" is an indispensable film, one of several late 1920s films which show the silent film had achieved a considerable level of artistic sense. It's difficult to point out single pieces, since the entire film works so well; however, the rainy location scenes are notably exquisite. Director Sam Taylor and Pickford shine throughout. Dave Kesson, Charles Rosher, and Jack Schulze make outstanding contributions. This is one of Pickford's finest performances; and, she forms an extraordinary partnership with relative newcomer Rogers. Their scenes together are magical, rivaling the more rustic Lillian Gish/Robert "Bobby" Harron romances directed by D.W. Griffith.

Pickford and Rogers later took the chemistry evident on film to heart, and formed a more long-term partnership; their wedding and "newsreel" footage provide a lovely coda for "My Best Girl"...

Life imitates art.

********** My Best Girl (10/31/27) Sam Taylor ~ Mary Pickford, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Lucien Littlefield, Hobart Bosworth

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

31 October 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Best Girl

Filming Locations:

The Lot - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$483,103 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mary Pickford Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min (1998)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1