La Jolie Castillane

Mabel Normand was one of the finest commediennes in popular entertainment. Her wonderfully understated comic timing, incredible physical dexterity and utter fearlessness out does anything Lucille Ball and almost all modern actresses have to offer. Unfortunately, this film underuses that talent in a weakly contrived script. Also she works with some of the worst actors I have seen with a major actress onscreen. There are two scenes that do her skills justice. One involves Mabel behind a store counter with the bare legs of a mannequin, her struggle to put stockings on them, while a misunderstanding man embarassedly believes those are Mabel's bare legs. Another is a rather protracted scene involving Mabel in disguise as a very scruffy boy of the streets. Her efforts to appear tough and yet vulnerable as she tries to get a doctor, her object of desire, to examine her "injuries" is an amazing presentation of sustained physical flexibility and intense emotional strength. Although not worthy of her incredible talents, for anyone interested in seeing Mabel Normand, a truly unique performer, in one of her few surviving feature films, its worth the viewing.