Her Night of Romance (1924)

Short-staffed comedies of manners – there are only four main characters in this one – are generally rather boring unless the writers have come up with some delightfully incongruous situations and a fair amount of witty dialogue (or sub-titles). Alas, this entry is especially slow. True, at first the situations seem promising, but not a great deal is made of them. The direction by Sidney Franklin – who is usually quite stylish – is especially bland and the acting leaves much to be desired. Ronald Colman is stiff as a board and the heroine, Constance Talmadge, is obviously under the impression that the constant poking and holding of two or three "funny" faces is all the role needs to liven it up. In this movie, she shows little charisma for a major star and relies almost entirely on close-ups in which she regales us with one of two expressions: wide-eyed or sulky. Other players are equally dull, the direction lacks pace – some shots are held far too long – and production values seem minimal. Available on a good Kino DVD.

This silent comedy stars Constance Talmadge (Dorothy Adams) and Ronald Colman (Paul Menford). It begins with a rich American and his daughter, Dorothy, arriving in Britain. The father is naturally wary of fortune hunters hitting on his daughter and one of them is Paul Menford. However, Menford is so smitten by Dorothy that he soon abandons any desire for her fortune--he wants her. Well, the guy's father (Jean Hersholt) has no such qualms and arranges to sell the family manor to the Americans. This way, he figures, they make money from the sale AND Paul will get it anyway once he marries Dorothy! What follows are some misunderstandings and a nice finale- -but what exactly happens is something you'll just have to see for yourself.The reason I liked this film is that it's a nice combination of romance and humor. It's never a laugh out loud sort of picture-- more just enjoyable and sweet. Worth your time--and with a dandy finale.

Disguised to avoid fortune-hunting bachelors, beautiful American "scrub-brush" heiress Constance Talmadge (as Dorothy Adams) arrives in Southampton, England for a relaxing holiday. She is traveling with concerned father Albert Gran (as Samuel G. Adams), who is worth ten million dollars. Upon arrival, Ms. Talmadge meets handsome but penniless nobleman Ronald Colman (as Paul Menford). They are mutually attracted, but go separate ways...No matter, the writers give them more than one way to get together. Most amusing is when Mr. Coleman is mistaken for "Dr. Paul Scott" and invited to examine Talmadge, who is no more than a nervous hypochondriac. Without a stethoscope, Coleman listens to Talmadge's heart with his ear. Visits from Coleman make Talmadge feel like a new woman...The main storyline involves Colman secretly selling his last asset "Menford Manor" to Talmadge as part of a plot arranged by agent Jean Hersholt (as Joseph "Joe" Diamond). A cute scene involves an inebriated Coleman trying to hang his hat on a shadow and director Sidney Franklin makes a sexual point with the stars' footwear (watch Colman's shoe land between Talmadge's heels). The love and money deception plot follows a familiar path...****** Her Night of Romance (10/27/24) Sidney Franklin ~ Constance Talmadge, Ronald Colman, Albert Gran, Jean Hersholt

Bulldog Drummond meets The Mountain GirlWednesday July 28, 7:30pm, The Colorado Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder"What do you think of my pulse?"An American businessman, Samuel Adams "The Scrub Brush King" and his frightened mouse of a daughter, Dorothy (Constance Talmadge) travel to England for her health and buy the estate of penniless lord, Paul Menford (Ronald Coleman). Boy meets girl, light-hearted deception and silliness ensues and mighty whoppers from tiny fibs do grow!Produced by Joseph M. Schenck (husband of Norma Talmadge) and directed by Sidney Franklin for First National Pictures, Her Night of Romance is a farcical bon-bon that starts with a little-white-lie (Paul masquerades as a doctor to see Dorothy) and spirals upward with everyone caught in the absurd, far-fetched shenanigans until the entire village believes they are married. A first-rate supporting cast features Jean Hersholt as Paul's business cohort and Sydney Bracey as the butler. The dean of Hollywood art direction, William Cameron Menzies, throws in everything but the kitchen sink for the hilarious and beautifully conceived finale.