"Marceline Day is not only sitting pretty in the window - she is also sitting pretty at the top of the celluloid ladder, a fact you can discover for yourself  when you see her in "The Boy Friend" (1926)" - a text in Motion Picture Classic below a full-page picture.

 

Directed by               Monta Bell
Written by                Alice D.G. Miller (adaptation)
Based on                    The Book of Charm by John Alexander Kirkpatrick
Starring                     Marceline Day, John Harron
Cinematography       Henry Sharp
Editing by                  Blanche Sewell
Distributed by            Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date               August 14, 1926
Running time             65 min.
Country                      United States
Language                    Silent, English intertitles

 

We have included this film in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of our star Marceline Day.

 

"The Boy Friend" (1926) is a critically acclaimed classic romantic comedy starring Marceline Day, who earned glowing reviews for her outstanding performance.  The film is not available for viewing, so we have to rely on newspaper articles from the 1920ies.  Silent Era lists this film as "survival status: presumed lost", but they have been wrong in the past many times, and could be wrong about  "The Boy Friend" as well.  If you have any information about a surviving copy of the film please let us know.

 

Here are just a few of the reviews for this film:
 
"The Boy Friend" is  based on The "Book of Charm".  It was adapted from a noted stage success, in which sparkling comedy is the main element.  Marceline Day, the pretty newcomer to the ranks of featured players, who appeared in an important part in Rex Beach's "The Barrier", has the leading feminine role.

A young girl's dissatisfaction with the limitations of a small town's social life, and her boy friend's attempt to satisfy her ambitions, form the basis of the story.  The events that follow are depicted with delightful touches of humor, while the main thread of the tale is continually interesting.  The broader range of the motion picture adequately replaces witty stage dialogue.  Comic situations galore have been introduced.

Marceline Day's acting is a revelation of sympathetic charm.  In "The Boy Friend" she fulfills the promise of her work in '"The Barrier."  (Border Watch)

Sparkling Comedy-Drama

Marceline Day makes another appearance in "The Boy Friend", a delightful comedy romance.  Her portrayal of the petulant country girl who tires of her social position, but falls to make allowance for Fate and Cupid, is an excellent effort.  It shows a maturity of judgment, and more than ordinary ability.  A traveling salesman intrigues the imagination of the girl's boy friend with a remarkable publication, "The Bock of Charm."  The young swain sees in it a possible chance of reclaiming his sweetheart's waning affections, and so follows its instructions.  The ensuing developments are depicted with a delicious subtlety and effectiveness.  In the supporting cast are John Harron, George K. Arthur, Ward Crane, Gwen Lee, and Gertrude Astor. (The Daily News)

A light and frolicsome touch is brought into the program with "The Boy Friend" with Marceline Day playing the leading part.  She is highly amusing as the small-town girl who falls in love with the city "beau" and decides that the lure of the white lights is irresistible.  The frantic schemes of the "boy friend" to regain her affection keeps the house laughing till the end. (Auckland Star)

In "The Boy Friend" there is a very fine cast, including Marceline Day, John Harron, George K. Arthur, Gwen Lee, Ward Crane and Gertrude Astor.  The story is based on one of the biggest Broadway stage hits of 1925.  Witty dialogue is replaced by snappy sub-titles and comic situations aplenty.  Marceline Day's great charm and glorious personality are reflected in the screen, while John Harron's manliness and George Arthur's comedy antics add much to the attractiveness of this picture. (Portland Guardian)

The other big attraction of the evening was a genuinely humorous comedy, "The Boy Friend", and roars of laughter - hearty laughter - were heard almost unceasingly right through the six reels, some of the situations being excruciatingly funny.  Altogether, it was easily the most wholesomely comic comedy we have had for a long time. (Southern Argus)

Also being shown is "The Boy Friend", featuring Miss Marceline Day.  An excruciatingly funny French dinner party, modeled on the lines suggested in an 'Etiquette for Everybody' book, is one of the entertaining scenes in "The Boy Friend".  This breezy comedy has whimsicality, comedy and a love story with a lingering charm. (The Advertiser)

"The Boy Friend" is a novel story refreshing in the originality of its treatment.  Smart and entertaining, it is an unusual answer to the ''Love-in-a-Cottage" question.  Well acted and well produced, the story is exceptionally entertaining. (The Advertiser)

Marceline Day, one of the "new faces" of the screen, reveals a talent for drama that is amazing.  Miss Day is that rare combination, a girl with a real personality and acting ability.  Her characterization of "Ida May" is a delight, because her thoughts are the thoughts of every girl of her age. (Bridgeport Telegram)

Marceline Day is sitting pretty at the top of the celluloid ladder, a fact you can discover for yourself when you see her in "The Boy Friend". (Motion Picture Classic)

 

Click to enlarge:

   Marceline Day and John Harron  

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