So. Today was a bit of a fail. The featured star is Leila Hyams. I had two films starring her on my to-watch list. Let’s just say that I personally did not manage to feature her properly. Alas…
Dancing Mothers (1926)
The first film is a silent Clara Bow picture. She plays a spoiled daughter and she has an equally spoiled father. Both of them treat the mother-wife badly, go out and party (him with other women) and don’t seem to give her a single thought. At one point the mother snaps and starts partying it up as well – with the guy Clara is going out with!
Leila allegedly plays Clara’s friend but I missed her completely. Now, the right thing to do would maybe be to forget about Dancing Mothers since we’re here for Leila Hyams and I cannot really comment on her part in the film. But it’s still a classic film and I watched it today so I don’t want to ignore that.
Dancing Mothers surprised me a bit, there is some feminist streak in it. I don’t want to spoil too much but it does feature a woman daring to demand respect and finding her independence. And in the finale we don’t get the „family first” treatment which I thought was great.
Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
And I simply can’t not write about Ruggles of Red Gap because it is an absolute delight. I cannot understand why this is not one of Hollywood’s most iconic comedies.
We begin in Paris where a loyal butler, Ruggles, is lost by his employer in a card game. Now he has to work for an American rancher. Let’s just say that while the rancher’s wife is very happy about being more sophisticated thanks to having a butler, the husband does not understand what the fuss is about and treats Ruggles like a normal guy. Soon the butler starts enjoying it.
And in America a true comedy of errors begins as Ruggles is taken for a war hero. It is a truly funny and clever film with some incredible writing (the Gettysburg Address scene!).
Leila Hyams plays a lovely woman who charms everyone during her parties with her singing. It is a small role but at least this time I did notice her and she got a chance to be beautiful and wear some nice dresses.
BTW, Ruggles of Red Gap stars Charles Ruggles.
Today I did not watch or write much but I need to brace myself for tomorrow – I think it’s going to be a tough one.
Swingin' at the Seance 