How Could You, Caroline? is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Frederick A. Thomson, with a screenplay by Agnes Christine Johnston.[2][4] It stars Bessie Love, James W. Morrison, and Dudley Hawley.[5]
| How Could You, Caroline? | |
|---|---|
 Magazine advertisement | |
| Directed by | Frederick A. Thomson |
| Screenplay by | Agnes Christine Johnston |
| Based on | |
| Starring | Bessie Love James W. Morrison Dudley Hawley |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Pathé Exchange[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The film, filmed in Charleston, South Carolina,[6] is presumed lost.[7]
Plot
editCaroline (Love), a student at a boarding school, attends the wedding of her sister Ethel (Earle), where handsome taxi driver Reginald (Hawley) is to be her date. Reginald's taxi breaks down while giving Caroline a ride, and Caroline is late to the wedding. As punishment, she is sent to her room, but she escapes and decides to elope with Reginald, only to discover that he is married.
Later, Caroline is engaged to Bob (Morrison). Caroline disguises herself as a masked dancer at his bachelor party to see whether he truly loves her. Bob marries the masked dancer. Caroline reveals her identity, which Bob already had realized, and they are happy together.[2][5][8]
Cast
edit- Bessie Love as Caroline Rodgers
- James W. Morrison as Bob Worth
- Dudley Hawley as Reginald Van Allen
- Henry Hallam as Mr. Rodgers
- Edna Earle as Ethel Rodgers
- Amelia Summerville as Mrs. Rodgers[3][5][8]
Reception
editA contemporaneous review called the plot "rather frail and considerably padded at the end", but praised the performances of Love and Hawley.[2] Love's wardrobe was cited as fashionable.[9]
Screenwriter Agnes Christine Johnston's depiction of the female lead character has been praised as efficiently creating complex female identities.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Pathé". The Moving Picture World. May 11, 1918. p. 806.
- ^ a b c d e f "How Could You, Caroline?". Dramatic Mirror of Motion Pictures and the Stage. Vol. 78, no. 2054. May 4, 1918. p. 632.
- ^ a b Quigley, Martin J. (May 11, 1918). "Reviews". Exhibitors Herald. Vol. VI, no. 20. p. 25.
- ^ a b Muscio, Giuliana. "Women Screenwriters in American Silent Cinema". In Callahan, Vicki (ed.). Reclaiming the Archive: Feminism and Film History. p. 303.
- ^ a b c "Moving Pictures". Variety. Vol. 50, no. 13. May 24, 1918. p. 34.
- ^ "Amusement Calendar". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. June 2, 1918. p. 2.
- ^ "How Could You, Caroline? / Frederick Thompson [motion picture]". Library of Congress.
- ^ a b Milne, Peter (May 18, 1918). "Screen Examinations". Motion Picture News. p. 3001.
- ^ Smith, Patsy (May 24, 1918). "Among the Women". Variety. Vol. 50, no. 13. p. 40.
External links
edit
- How Could You, Caroline? at IMDb
- How Could You, Caroline? at AllMovie
- How Could You, Caroline? at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
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