THE PATSY – 1928
Starring – Marion Davies
Directed by King Vidor
Sunday, December 4, 2022, 4:00 PM
With live musical accompaniment by pianist Andrew Earle Simpson
The Patsy is a 1928 American silent comedy-drama film directed by King Vidor, co-produced by and starring Marion Davies. For the history buffs – The nineteen-year-old Marion Davies met the fifty-three-year-old newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, and became his mistress. Hearst took over management of Davies’ career and promoted her as a film actress.
Jealous that her older sister Grace has landed handsome and successful Tony Anderson, Patricia Harrington (Davies) 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.
Atlas Silent Film Series
Featuring HOLLYWOOD FLAPPER ICONS of the 1920s
Louise Brooks, Marion Davies, and Joan Crawford
With live musical accompaniment by pianist Andrew Earle Simpson
Flappers of the 1920s were young women known for their energetic freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous, immoral or downright dangerous. Now considered the first generation of independent American women, flappers pushed barriers in economic, political and sexual freedom for women. Our film series this season features the works of three of the most influential and powerful women in the Hollywood of their time: Louise Brooks, Marion Davies, and Joan Crawford.
Each screening will include a pre-show intro and a post-show discussion with Andrew Earle Simpson.
