Zander the Great

In a New Jersey orphanage, pigtailed Marion Davies (as Mamie Smith) causes a slapstick ruckus; consequently, she is brutally abused. Then, Ms. Davies' luck changes; and, she is sent to the loving home of motherly Hedda Hopper (as Edith Caldwell). Ms. Hopper's husband is away, on an extended trip to Mexico. So, Davies helps raise Hopper's baby into cute young Jack Huff (as Alexander "Zander" P. Caldwell Jr.). The years are kind to Davies, who grows from freckles and pigtails to beautiful complexion and curls. When Hopper passes away, Davies must fulfill a promise to find Huff's father, but the wicked orphanage from her past declares custody. Davies takes the boy, and sets off to meet adventure, danger, and Harrison Ford.

The odd title "Zander the Great" refers to the Greek leader Alexander the Great; to wit, Davies shortens little Alexander's name to Zander because, "Alexander is such a big name for a weenie baby." Davies spends the much of the picture made-up like Mary Pickford (a road taken by many, to be fair). The comedy and drama don't mix very well; as usual, Davies is better with the former. Finally, the movie becomes a western.

Director George Hill and the MGM team do some nice work; especially, the beginning scenes with Davies, and the ending expiration scenes featuring George Siegmann (as Black Bart).

The sexual prowess of rabbits is a tiresome source of amusement.

This was a big 1923 Broadway success for Alice Brady.