Lady of the Night
Lady of the Night

Movie spotlight

Lady of the Night

1925
Movie
70 min
English

The story of two baby girls, born near in proximity but worlds apart in society: Molly Helmer, the daughter of a thief, and Florence Banning, the daughter of the judge who sent Molly's father to prison. The girls' lives come together as they reach the age of eighteen, when Florence leaves the security of the exclusive Girls Select School, and Molly, now orphaned, begins her life after reform school.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Director: Fred NibloGenres: Drama, Romance, Crime

Plot Summary

A young woman from the countryside, driven by desperation and a desire for a better life, moves to the city and becomes entangled in a life of crime. She adopts a new identity, working as a showgirl and falling for a wealthy young man. However, her past soon catches up with her, leading to dramatic confrontations and a desperate attempt to escape her circumstances.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Lady of the Night' was a significant box office success and was generally well-received by critics for its dramatic storytelling and Norma Talmadge's performance. It capitalized on the popularity of melodrama and the burgeoning Hollywood star system of the 1920s. While not considered a landmark film, it is recognized as a notable example of its era.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its effective melodrama and Norma Talmadge's dual performance.

  • Noted for its dramatic twists and engaging, albeit somewhat conventional, narrative.

  • Recognized as a popular and commercially successful film of its time.

Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for films from this era.

Fun Fact

Norma Talmadge plays two distinct roles in the film: a young country girl and a sophisticated cabaret singer, a performance choice that was highly praised at the time.

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