We Moderns
Encyclopedia
We Moderns was an American silent
comedy film
directed by John Francis Dillon
and starring Colleen Moore
, the same team from Flaming Youth
(1923). The film was produced by Moore's husband John McCormick (1893-1961), was released through First National Pictures, and was based on the play and novel by Israel Zangwill. The play was produced in 1924 by Harrison Grey Fiske
and starred Helen Hayes
.
We Moderns is currently considered a lost film
.
Portions of the film were shot on location in and around London while Colleen was in the city during her European tour, which was undertaken to promote her films So Big and Sally. Those portions were directed by her husband and depicted a scavenger hunt, so that the production could visit many famous and recognizable London locations . A car was purchased specifically for the film and was shipped back to the states so that the film could be completed at the studio. Colleen had to acquire a special permit to drive. The film was intended to be an English look at the flapper, and the story shared many of the same elements of Colleen's star-making Flaming Youth. As in Flaming Youth, Colleen's brother Cleeve had a part in this film as well. He played the brother of Colleen's character.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by John Francis Dillon
John Francis Dillon (director)
John Francis Dillon was an American film director and actor of the silent era. He directed 130 films between 1914 and 1934...
and starring Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
, the same team from Flaming Youth
Flaming Youth (film)
Flaming Youth was a 1923 silent film featuring Colleen Moore that centered on the sotry of a young woman named Patricia Frentiss. The portrayal cemented Colleen's position in the film world as the prototypical flapper .-Story:When Mona Frentiss dies, she has her confidante "Doctor Bobs" watch over...
(1923). The film was produced by Moore's husband John McCormick (1893-1961), was released through First National Pictures, and was based on the play and novel by Israel Zangwill. The play was produced in 1924 by Harrison Grey Fiske
Harrison Grey Fiske
Harrison Grey Fiske was an American journalist, playwright and Broadway producer who fought against the "Theatrical Syndicate" that formed around the turn of the twentieth century.-Early Life:...
and starred Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes Brown was an American actress whose career spanned almost 70 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of the American Theatre" and was one of twelve people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award...
.
We Moderns is currently considered a lost film
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
.
Portions of the film were shot on location in and around London while Colleen was in the city during her European tour, which was undertaken to promote her films So Big and Sally. Those portions were directed by her husband and depicted a scavenger hunt, so that the production could visit many famous and recognizable London locations . A car was purchased specifically for the film and was shipped back to the states so that the film could be completed at the studio. Colleen had to acquire a special permit to drive. The film was intended to be an English look at the flapper, and the story shared many of the same elements of Colleen's star-making Flaming Youth. As in Flaming Youth, Colleen's brother Cleeve had a part in this film as well. He played the brother of Colleen's character.
Cast
- Colleen MooreColleen MooreColleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
- Mary Sundale - Jack MulhallJack MulhallJack Mulhall, born John Joseph Francis Mulhall, was a film actor since the silent film era and appeared in over 430 films....
- John Ashler - Carl MillerCarl Miller (actor)Carl Miller , was an American film actor. He appeared in 44 films between 1917 and 1942.He was born in Wichita County, Texas and died in Honolulu, Hawaii.-Selected filmography:* The Kid - The Man...
- Oscar Pleat - Claude GillingwaterClaude GillingwaterClaude Benton Gillingwater was an American stage and screen actor. He first appeared on the stage then in 92 films between 1918 and 1939....
- Sir Robert Sundale - Clarissa Selwynne - Lady Kitty Sundale
- Cleve Morison - Dick Sundale
- Marcelle CordayMarcelle CordayMarcelle Corday was a Belgian American film actress. She mostly played character parts in silent and sound films...
- Theodosia - Blanche PaysonBlanche PaysonBlanche Payson was an American film actress. She appeared in 123 films between 1916 and 1946. At 6 foot 2 inches, she towered over both men and women co-stars in the many slapstick comedies she appeared....
- Johanna - Tom McGuireTom McGuire (actor)Tom McGuire was an English film actor. He appeared in 160 films between 1919 and 1949.He was born in England and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* Single Handed...
- Beamish - Dorothy SeastromDorothy SeastromDorothy Seastrom was an American silent film actress.-Early life and career:Born in Texas, Seastrom got into acting after winning the a beauty competition....
- Dolly Wimple - Louis Payne - Sir William Wimple