Notes on…

The Patsy(1928)

Dir. Directed by King Vidor


"Why do I always get the part of a chicken that goes over the fence last?"

What a fun and surprisingly perky little film, and so emblematic of the quality of the late silent era... not least of all due to the lack of unnecessary intertitles. Gamine Pat is amazing, of course, and the film's rightful place in la cinema feministe is qualified only by husband Henry's closing complaints about his wife.

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Synopsis: Jealous that her older sister Grace has landed handsome and successful Tony Anderson, Patricia Harrington launches an elaborate charm offensive to win his heart. Patricia shrugs off her diffidence and, in the hope that Tony will be drawn to her new persona, tries to carry herself with the self-confidence of the era's silent film stars. When this doesn't have the desired effect, Patricia takes things a step further.