Although Dorothy Gish was perfectly capable of playing a flapper, the title to this comedy -- her first independent production -- is really a misnomer. It's a silly rural love story, suggested (however vaguely) by Malbro Bartley's book, Cynic Effect. Director F. Richard Jones worked his way up through the Keystone Studios and it shows in the picture's almost slapstick approach. Jolanda (Gish) has to work hard to keep the affections of her sweetheart, Nathaniel Huggins (Glenn Hunter, in the most unattractive country bumpkin outfits imaginable). For one thing she has to deal with a rival, Marguerite (Mildred Marsh), and on top of that, Nathaniel's father Ezra, the town druggist (Harlan Knight), does not approve of her. The tide turns in Jolanda's favor, however, when she discovers that old Ezra has a still in his barn. She blackmails him into approving the match. But then Huggins sets his barn on fire to destroy the evidence, and Nathaniel goes off with Marguerite. Nevertheless Jolanda doesn't wind up alone -- there's still Lemuell Philpotts (Tom Douglas), the shy, worshipful boy who's been hanging around her the whole time.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
