Pink Tights

Mazie Darton (Gladys Walton), a high-wire performer with a traveling circus, longs for a peaceful country life, in Reeves Eason's critically panned drama, Pink Tights (1920). Forced to stay in a small town while laid up with an injury, Darton is spurned by the conservative townspeople. Rev. Jonathon Meek (Jack Perrin), the local parson, befriends the circus troupe, especially Darton. But he, too, opens himself to criticism from his flock, who protest his closeness with the show people. Eventually, Darton's boyfriend arrives and the pair become closer. The parson fades from the scene as a possible mate for Darton, who ends up winning the hearts of the townspeople.

Pink Tights was made while Irving Thalberg was there; originally he wanted to cast an unknown actress named Norma Shearer in the role of Mazie. She didn't get the part, but years later she became a star under Thalberg when they were both working for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She also became his wife. Walton would remain a minor Universal star for her short lived career and star in several circus dramas.