

Movie spotlight
Ella Cinders
Poor Ella Cinders is much abused by her evil step-mother and step-sisters. When she wins a local beauty contest she jumps at the chance to get out of her dead-end life and go to Hollywood, where she is promised a job in the movies. When she arrives in Hollywood, she discovers that the contest was a scam and the job non-existent. But through pluck, luck, and talent, she makes it in the movies anyway, and finds true love.
Insights
Plot Summary
Ella Cinders, a young woman living a life of drudgery as a cinder girl, dreams of a better life and finds an unexpected opportunity when she enters a newspaper popularity contest. She overcomes numerous obstacles and societal expectations with her resilience and charm. The story follows her journey from rags to riches as she navigates the complexities of fame, love, and ambition.
Critical Reception
As a silent film, contemporary reviews focused on Colleen Moore's performance and the film's adherence to the popular Cinderella narrative, often praising its lightheartedness and Moore's star power. It was considered a commercial success and a typical example of the 'flapper' era comedies that resonated with audiences.
What Reviewers Say
Colleen Moore shines in a charming, if predictable, adaptation of the classic fairy tale.
The film captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with its fashion and aspirations.
A feel-good story with a relatable protagonist overcoming adversity.
Google audience: Audience reception for this silent film is largely nostalgic, with viewers appreciating Colleen Moore's energetic performance and the enduring fairy tale elements. It's often remembered as a delightful piece of early Hollywood.
Fun Fact
Colleen Moore's iconic bob hairstyle, which she sported in this film and others, became a defining fashion trend of the 1920s, known as the 'Marjorie Daw' bob (named after her earlier film) or simply the 'Colleen Moore bob'.
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