April Showers (1923 film)
Encyclopedia
April Showers was a silent romantic film with Colleen Moore
, an "Irish" story that capitalized on her wholesome Irish persona.
would bring Colleen to the Mayer-Schulberg Studio (formerly the Selig studio). April Showers
followed The Nth Commandment, and it was an old-fashioned romantic story billed as having “…the ‘all-Irish-all-star’ cast. The January 23rd Los Angeles Times
ran a story entitled “She Couldn’t Keep Down Her Irish Blood,” which concerned the making of April Showers
and managed to tap into the "Irish" persona she had cultivated:
Actor Harlan trained with real boxers to prepare for the role. shortly after this film was finished, Cclleen would go to work for Associated First National where, with the success of the film Flaming Youth
, she would achieve a new level of fame.
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
, an "Irish" story that capitalized on her wholesome Irish persona.
Story
Danny O'Rourke is the son of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Eager to join the police force, Danny fails his exams. The failure causes him to neglect his sweetheart Maggie, whose father is a police lieutenant. His attentions turn instead towards society girl Miriam Welton. When Danny’s sister, Shannon, is arrested for shoplifting, Danny turns to boxing to save her. He works his way towards the championship but discovers the final bought has been rigged. Danny fights anyhow and he is beaten, but it is discovered that a mistake had been made on his exams and he actually was eligible to join the police force after all.Cast
- Colleen MooreColleen MooreColleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
- Maggie Muldoon - Kenneth HarlanKenneth HarlanKenneth Harlan was an American leading man of the silent film era, playing mostly romantic leads or adventurer types.-Career:...
- Danny O'Rourke - Ruth CliffordRuth CliffordRuth Clifford was an American actress of leading roles in silent films, whose career lasted from silent days into the television era.-Biography:A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, she attended St...
- Miriam Welton - Priscilla BonnerPriscilla BonnerPriscilla Bonner was an American silent film actress.-Career:Born in Washington, D.C., Bonner made her film debut opposite Charles Ray in the 1920 film Homer Comes Home, after being signed to MGM that same year. She went on to co-star with Jack Pickford in The Man Who Had Everything , Lon Chaney, Sr...
- Shannon O'Rourke - Myrtle Vane - Mrs. O'Rourke
- James CorriganJames CorriganJames Corrigan , was an American actor. He appeared in 16 films between 1920 and 1927.He was born in Ohio, USA and died in Los Angeles, California.-External links:...
- Matt Gallagher - Jack Byron - Flash Irwin
- Ralph Faulkner - Champ Sullivan
- Tom McGuireTom McGuireThomas Patrick McGuire was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for four different professional teams in Chicago from 1912 to 1919....
- Lieutenant Muldoon - Norman Selby - Ring Manager (as Kid McCoy)
- Danny GoodmanDanny GoodmanDanny Goodman is a computer programmer, technology consultant, and a well-known, award-winning author of over three dozen books and hundreds of magazine articles on computer-related topics...
- Ring Manager
Background
Filmed in early [1923], April ShowersApril Showers
"April Showers" is a popular song.The music was written by Louis Silvers, the lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was published in 1921.The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It has become a well-known Jolson trademark, recorded by him many...
would bring Colleen to the Mayer-Schulberg Studio (formerly the Selig studio). April Showers
April Showers
"April Showers" is a popular song.The music was written by Louis Silvers, the lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was published in 1921.The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It has become a well-known Jolson trademark, recorded by him many...
followed The Nth Commandment, and it was an old-fashioned romantic story billed as having “…the ‘all-Irish-all-star’ cast. The January 23rd Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
ran a story entitled “She Couldn’t Keep Down Her Irish Blood,” which concerned the making of April Showers
April Showers
"April Showers" is a popular song.The music was written by Louis Silvers, the lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was published in 1921.The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It has become a well-known Jolson trademark, recorded by him many...
and managed to tap into the "Irish" persona she had cultivated:
-
- “The piquant Colleen plays the role of a rather tomboyish little Irish girl of plain but honest parents.... Miss Moore lives her parts at home as well as before the camera and in practicing before her grandmother, Mm. Mary Kelly, she finally drew fire from that saint of the household.
- “’Colleen me child,’ said Grandmother Kelly, ‘It’s all very well to act like a little hoyden and be rough and tomboyish—but there’s too much of that sort on the screen, me dear. Remember, not all the Irish men are policemen and not all the Irish women are washwomen.... You don’t have to be any wilder because you’re supposed to be Irish.’
- “’All right, grandmother,’ humbly agreed Colleen, ‘but it’s hard for me not to let myself go—being Irish.’"
Actor Harlan trained with real boxers to prepare for the role. shortly after this film was finished, Cclleen would go to work for Associated First National where, with the success of the film Flaming Youth
Flaming Youth (film)
Flaming Youth was a 1923 silent film featuring Colleen Moore that centered on the sotry of a young woman named Patricia Frentiss. The portrayal cemented Colleen's position in the film world as the prototypical flapper .-Story:When Mona Frentiss dies, she has her confidante "Doctor Bobs" watch over...
, she would achieve a new level of fame.
Footnotes
- Jeff Codori (2012), Colleen Moore; A Biography of the Silent Film Star, McFarland Publishing,(Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-4969-9, EBook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8899-5).