Molly of the Follies
Molly Malone dances at a Coney Island sideshow to attract crowds. She loves Joe Holmquist, "The Human Submarine," as does Molly's mother Kate, the "Mystic Hindu Seeress." One day while Molly is dancing, her slipper hits the eye of an admirer who identifies himself as Chauncy Ewing. After arousing Joe's jealousy, Molly turns down Chauncy's proposal, because she still loves Joe, but when she sees Joe in a forced embrace with Kate, Molly elopes with Chauncy to his wealthy Aunt Henrietta's vacant Brooklyn home, planning to marry the next day.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman from a small town comes to New York City with dreams of becoming a star on Broadway. She encounters the harsh realities of city life and the cutthroat world of entertainment, leading to both romantic entanglements and disillusionment. The story explores themes of ambition, love, and the loss of innocence in the glittering but often unforgiving setting of the early 20th-century theater scene.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1919, specific critical reception details are scarce. Contemporary reviews likely focused on the performances and the melodrama of the plot, typical for films of that era. It was part of a period where films were establishing themselves as a significant entertainment medium, and audience reactions would have been shaped by the novelty and escapism offered.
What Reviewers Say
- The film likely appealed to audiences seeking dramatic romance and a glimpse into the allure of Broadway.
- Olive Thomas's performance was probably a key draw, given her popularity at the time.
- The narrative probably followed familiar tropes of the 'small-town girl in the big city' genre.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for a silent film from 1919 is not available.
Fun Fact
Olive Thomas, the film's star, tragically died in Paris just a few months after this film's release, adding a poignant layer to her performances from this period.
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