Good References | |
---|---|
Directed by | Roy William Neill |
Written by | Dorothy Farnum (scenario) Burns Mantle (titles) |
Based on | Good References by E.J. Rath |
Starring | Constance Talmadge Vincent Coleman Ned Sparks Nellie Parker Spaulding Mona Lisa Matthew Betz |
Cinematography | Oliver T. Marsh |
Production company | |
Distributed by | First National Exhibitors' Circuit |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Good References is a 1920 American silent romantic comedy drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Constance Talmadge, Vincent Coleman, Ned Sparks, Nellie Parker Spaulding, Mona Lisa, and Matthew Betz. It is based on the novel of the same name by E.J. Rath. The film was released by First National Exhibitors' Circuit in August 1920. [1] [2] [3]
Mary Wayne is a resilient and attractive protagonist who faces the daunting predicament of being both jobless and penniless in a bustling metropolis. Commencing with her eviction from a boarding house due to breaching its regulations by cooking breakfast on a small chafing dish.
Mary serendipitously encounters Nell Norcross, a shrewd individual who has adeptly fabricated a set of character recommendations. Equipped with these falsified references, Mary secures the position of social secretary to the captivating young millionaire, William Marshall. To preserve her newfound role, Mary undertakes the arduous task of refining William's demeanor, transforming him from a rough-and-tumble individual into a polished gentleman capable of ascending the social hierarchy.
Amidst the unfolding narrative, a series of comedic circumstances ensue. Notably, Mary and her accomplice, an acquaintance posing as William's valet, find themselves deserted onshore in their bathing suits after an impromptu swim, while William inadvertently sets sail without them. The film follows their subsequent journey back home, clad in scant attire, and the ensuing confrontation with William's sporting comrades at his family estate.
As the story progresses, Mary learns valuable lessons about the futility of counterfeit "good references" in lieu of genuine qualifications. Her resilience and unwavering determination ultimately lead her to overcome her predicament and seize the Marshall fortune through a fortuitous union. [4] [5]
A copy of Good References survives at Národní Filmový Archiv in Prague. [6]
Mona Lisa is a 1986 British neo-noir crime drama film about an ex-convict who becomes entangled in the dangerous life of a high-class call girl. The film was written by Neil Jordan and David Leland, and directed by Jordan. It was produced by HandMade Films and stars Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, and Michael Caine.
Norma Marie Talmadge was an American actress and film producer of the silent era. A major box-office draw for more than a decade, her career reached a peak in the early 1920s, when she ranked among the most popular idols of the American screen.
Constance Alice Talmadge was an American silent film star. She was the sister of actresses Norma and Natalie Talmadge.
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Dynamite Denny is a 1932 American drama film directed by Frank R. Strayer from an original screenplay by W. Scott Darling. The film stars Jay Wilsey, Blanche Mehaffey, and William V. Mong. Produced by Action Pictures, it was distributed through Mayfair pictures, and was released on May 27, 1932.
In Search of a Sinner is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by David Kirkland and written by John Emerson and Anita Loos. The film stars Constance Talmadge, Rockliffe Fellowes, Corliss Giles, William Roselle, Marjorie Milton and Evelyn Carter Carrington. The film was released on March 7, 1920, by First National Exhibitors' Circuit.
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