The Patsy (Vidor, 1928)
My Summer Movies # 56
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Based on a play by Barry Conners, The Patsy is perhaps the “talkiest” silent picture I’ve ever seen, with innumerable title cards. Most of the film’s jokes are verbal; Pat decides to improve her personality by reading how-to books and spinning bizarre jokes and puns, such as “When in Bagdad, do as the Bagdaddies do” and “Don’t cry over spilt milk — there’s enough water in it already.”
But Davies equates matches these one-liners with her magnificent body language, and they all click into place without too many interruptions in flow. She performs the role with a pent-up gusto, never missing a trick or a moment to shine. Even a potentially heartbreaking moment as she watches through the window as Tony and her sister drive away is softened by Davies munching on a celery stalk as she leans, closer, closer and still closer to the window.
In another scene, she imitates three silent film stars — Mae Murray, Lillian Gish and Pola Negri — with absolute perfection in order to get the attention of a sleepy male suitor. Perhaps her sister Grace has a more proper beauty, but the adorable Pat is the true catch of the family. (More here.)
