Bonnie May
| Bonnie May | |
|---|---|
_-_1.jpg) Advertisement | |
| Directed by | |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Sam Landers[2] |
Production companies | Andrew J. Callaghan Productions, Inc.[3] |
| Distributed by | Federated Film Exchanges of America, Inc.[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels[4] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
| Budget | $75,000[5] |
Bonnie May is a lost[6] silent 1920 American comedy-drama[7] film based on the 1916 novel by Louis Dodge.[8][9] It was directed by Ida May Park and Joseph De Grasse[10] and starred Bessie Love.
Plot
An orphaned girl (Love) grows up in the theater. She becomes smarter and stronger, but never loses her optimism.[11]
Cast
- Bessie Love[12]
- Charles Gordon
- William Herbert Bainbridge
- Lon Poff
- Miss DuPont[2]
Release
As this was Bessie Love's first film with Film Exchanges of America, Inc., it was very heavily promoted. A thirty-eight page press book was created, as well as special souvenir mirrors.[13]
On its release, it was shown with The Son of Tarzan; Mystic Mush, a Hank Mann comedy; and a Mutt and Jeff cartoon.[7]
Reception
The film received positive reviews.[14] Author Louis Dodge, who wrote the novel on with the film is based, highly praised Love's performance.[15]
References
- ^ a b "Federated Exchanges Announce The Release of the First Super-Production Starring Bessie Love. 'Bonnie May'". Exhibitors Herald: 30–31. October 16, 1920.
- ^ a b Love, Bessie (1977). From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love. London: Elm Tree Books. p. 150. OCLC 734075937.
- ^ "Celebrated Exchange to Handle Feature Films". Moving Picture World: 200. November 13, 1920.
- ^ "Federated Exchanges". Exhibitors Herald: 102. November 27, 1920.
- ^ "Callaghan Asks Injunction Restraining Federated from Exhibiting Productions". Moving Picture World: 592. August 6, 1921.
- ^ The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:Bonnie May
- ^ a b "Stanford Theatre Palo Alto". The Daily Palo Alto. Vol. 59, no. 66. June 3, 1921. p. 4.
- ^ Goble, Alan (ed.). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. p. 129.
- ^ Dodge, Louis (1916). Bonnie May. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. OCLC 7631985.
- ^ "Two Directors Get Big Results in "Bonnie May"". Exhibitors Herald: 53. September 11, 1920.
- ^ "Bessie Love Here in 'Bonnie May'". The Southeast Missourian. December 29, 1920. p. 5.
- ^ Motion Picture Studio Directory and Trade Annual 1921. Motion Picture News, Inc. 1921. pp. 155, 174, 196, 230, 261.
- ^ ""Bonnie May" Given Strong Exploitation". Exhibitors Herald: 89. October 9, 1920.
- ^ Riley, R. Ross. "Bonnie May (Federated), with Bessie Love".
Boy, she was a dinger. A good clean story, and real acting.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Consider Federated Ideal Medium of Distribution for Any Picture Author Declares that Bessie Love's Portrayal in First Production 'Will Certainly Be a Triumph For Bonnie May'". Exhibitors Herald: 56. September 11, 1920.
It seems to be an entirely happy inspiration which brought Miss Bessie Love and Bonnie May together. While I had never seen the beautiful and intelligent work of Miss Love at the time I wrote my book, it might almost seem that she had supplied the model for my study. I predict that when Miss Love portrays the character, she will—to paraphrase an old anecdote—not merely enact, but actually be, Bonnie May. It will very certainly be a triumph for Bonnie May. I hope also it will be a triumph for Bessie Love.
External links
- Bonnie May at IMDb
- Bonnie May at AllMovie
- Bonnie May at the TCM Movie Database
- Lantern slide