A flapper with a dubious reputation enjoys a vivacious night of dancing and finds herself romantically linked to her boss.
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Title: Why Be Good? (1929)
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
| Colleen Moore | ... | Pert Kelly | |
| Neil Hamilton | ... | Winthrop Peabody Jr. | |
| Bodil Rosing | ... | Ma Kelly | |
| John St. Polis | ... | Pa Kelly (as John Sainpolis) | |
| Edward Martindel | ... | Winthrop Peabody Sr. | |
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Eddie Clayton | ... | Tom |
| Lincoln Stedman | ... | Jerry | |
| Louis Natheaux | ... | Jimmy Alexander | |
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Collette Merton | ... | Julie |
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Dixie Gay | ... | Susie |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
A young shop girl is dance mad, even winning prize cups in competitions. Circulating with lots of people gives her a dubious reputation, but we see it's unwarranted. The son of the owner of the department store she works in falls for her without realizing her status. at length, he puts her to a test to see just what kind of girl she is. Written by WesternOne
Taglines:
Just wait'll you see her! Flaming youth afire in the zippiest smart set that ever made wild whoopee! (Print ad- Sedalia (Mo.) Capitol, 5 April 1929) See more »Certificate:
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(uncredited)
from "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1"
Music by Edvard Grieg
Played briefly when Pert addresses the mannequin
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Phyllis Crane posed for publicity photos in front of the Art Deco backdrop that also was used in this film as the headboard for Peabody, Sr's bed. See more »Goofs
When Peabody, Sr. enters the Store Manager's office he calls him Ralph. But the name on the Manager's door is H.B. Lewis. See more »Quotes
Gladys: Don't grieve lads! His Dad's Department Store employs one thousand cuties! If you find any department store cutie hotter than little Gladys, you let me know.See more »
Soundtracks
In the Hall of the Mountain King(uncredited)
from "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1"
Music by Edvard Grieg
Played briefly when Pert addresses the mannequin
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 May 1929 (Denmark) See more »Also Known As:
That's a Bad Girl See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USACompany Credits
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IMDbPro »
Colleen Moore stars as Pert Kelly, a sales girl in a department store by day and a jazz baby by night. One night she meets a guy (Neil Hamilton) who happens to be the son of the department store owner. They hit it off, but when she's late for work the following morning, she's called into his office and they discover who they are. She's fired by the store owner, but she thinks the son did it. Rich daddy tries to protect his son from that kind of girl and talks him into testing her by taking her to a hotel to see how she reacts. Is she a good girl? Does it matter? After all, why be good? Moore is terrific as the dance-crazed flapper (who still lives at home with mom and pop). With her signature hair-do and skimpy dresses, she the very picture of the silent flapper. Hamilton is also good as the naïve son. Co-stars include Jack Norton as the drunken boyfriend, Bodil Rosing as the mother, John St. Polis as the father, and Edward Martindel as the store owner. Look fast for Grady Sutton, Mischa Auer, and Jean Harlow among the revelers.
This film was recently released on DVD after a massive effort to restore its video elements from several sources and its excellent Vitaphone soundtrack. After being listed as a lost film for many decades, we now have a shiny new version restored and available.