Well, look. The picture was made in 1929 and college life depicted here bears no resemblance to the modern reincarnation. It must have been sensational in it's time, but society is more sophisticated now. The goings-on here seem almost innocent in comparison. The on-campus scandals at Dexter College center around drinking, curfew breaking and (smelling salts, please) necking.
The star is Ruth Taylor, who looks terrific, playing a girl who tries to be vampy and wanton. Wouldn't work now, but she must have been hot stuff in the 20's. The story centers about her efforts to seduce (for lack of a better word) the football coach, who falls for her. In the meantime her best friend breaks up with her boyfriend of 0ne (1) day. She is crushed and Taylor feels responsible and then a lot of tedious back-and-forth follows. No nudity, no vulgar talk and no violence throughout.
I found it fascinating to think this movie, a) had some success once, and b) is a historical reflection of college life in a bygone era. Everyone overacts and the screenplay is banal beyond description. With those qualifications in mind, it's an almost enjoyable look at college life long ago.
***** 5/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.
Shown at Capitolfest, Rome, NY 8/22.
The star is Ruth Taylor, who looks terrific, playing a girl who tries to be vampy and wanton. Wouldn't work now, but she must have been hot stuff in the 20's. The story centers about her efforts to seduce (for lack of a better word) the football coach, who falls for her. In the meantime her best friend breaks up with her boyfriend of 0ne (1) day. She is crushed and Taylor feels responsible and then a lot of tedious back-and-forth follows. No nudity, no vulgar talk and no violence throughout.
I found it fascinating to think this movie, a) had some success once, and b) is a historical reflection of college life in a bygone era. Everyone overacts and the screenplay is banal beyond description. With those qualifications in mind, it's an almost enjoyable look at college life long ago.
***** 5/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.
Shown at Capitolfest, Rome, NY 8/22.