Our Modern Maidens *** (1929, Joan Crawford, Rod La Rocque, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Anita Page, Josephine Dunn) – Classic Movie Review 5964

Director Jack Conway’s silent romantic entanglement drama stars Joan Crawford in her last non-talkie, along with Rod La Rocque, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, Dorothy Sebastian and Anita Page.

A silent film it may be, but it features a synchronized soundtrack and sound effects.

This well-plotted tale of match and mis-match stars Joan Crawford as Billie Brown, Rod La Rocque as Glenn Abbott (aka Dynamite), Douglas Fairbanks Jr as Gil Jordan, Anita Page as Kentucky Strafford, Josephine Dunn as Ginger, Edward J Nugent as Reg, and Albert Gran as B Bickering Brown.

When heiress Billie (Crawford) goes to ask senior diplomat Glenn (La Rocque) to ensure her diplomat fiance Gil (Fairbanks) gets a favorable assignment, Billie and Glenn are attracted to one another. But Gil is attracted to Kentucky (Page), Billie’s best friend and house guest…

It was a big hit for Crawford and MGM, costing $283,000, it took $857,000, with a profit of $248,000. Its success was ensured when Crawford married Fairbanks Jr on 3 June 1929 in a well publicised occasion.

This silent film is a follow-up to Our Dancing Daughters (1928), which also starred Joan Crawford and Anita Page. It is followed by the third installment in the series, the sound film Our Blushing Brides (1930).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5964

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