Orchids and Ermine
Encyclopedia
Orchids and Ermine is a 1927 silent film
comedy starring Colleen Moore
, filmed partly on location in New York. The film still exists.
, flapper
Pink Watson (Colleen Moore
) works a telephone operator at a cement factory who dreams of marrying rich. Her constant daydreaming of wealth annoys her fellow workers, and ruins the heart of one of her worshopping colleagues. Instead, she interviews at the De Luxe Hotel on Fifth Avenue for the job of hotel switchboard operator, and lands the position despite the large amount of women solliciting. During her first day, she befriends Ermintrude De Vere (Gwen Lee
), and is invited to accompany her on a date with a young millionaire named Mr. Vandergriff (Brooks Benedict), who is later revealed as a scheming chauffeur at Long Island
. Jenkins' boss, an old millionaire, fires him and tries to flirt with the two girls. While gold digging
Ermintrude is flattered by his attention, Pink reacts appalled at the age difference and walks home, for hours.
While working the next day, an oil millionaire named Tabor (Jack Mulhall
) checks in and is immediately set upon by gold-diggers. He swaps places with his assistant Hank (Sam Hardy) and poses as a chauffeur. Pink falls for Tabor without knowing of his fortunes (even though he never lied to her: it was Ermintrude who convinced Pink that the man introducing himself as Tabor was actually his assistant), while Hank gets in trouble under the identity of his employer by charming Ermintrude. Hank quickly learns the backsides of constantly being followed by numerous gold diggers. Following his shift, he helps Tabor with the techniques to seduce a lady, because Tabor has fallen in love with Pink. These tips do not prove to be helpful, noting that when Hank puts them to test with Pink himself, he gets yelled at.
When Tabor tries to flirt with the same pick up lines, Pink is less than flattered and criticizes him for taking money from his 'boss', with which he bought flowers for her. Talbor then tries to reveal his true identity, but Pink does not believe him and tries to get rid of him in the mass of the New York streets. She eventually gets on a bus, thinking to have lost him, only to have him jumping on the same bus from another vehicle. Pink is still not impressed, until he gets hit on his head by a bridge and passes out. Feeling guilty, Pink takes care of him and falls in love, even though realizing that she will be a poor girl her entire life when she marries a valet. Hank, meanwhile, is taking Ermintrude out for dinner, during which she quickly tricks him into eloping with her.
The following morning, Tabor, now working as a floor walker, asks Pink to marry him, and she enthusiastically accepts. He then again reveals his true identity and spoils his fiancé with extreme wealth, as well as a wedding dress in a fancy shop. Meanwhile, the shop's owner finds a photo in the newspaper featuring 'Tabor' (Hank) and Ermintrude as a newlywed, and thinks that the real Tabor is an impostor. He allerts the police, and has Tabor arrested. Devastated by what she thinks is betrayal, Pink contacts 'Tabor' (Hank) to help her get his 'valet' (Tabor) out of jail. At court, Hank initially lies about the identity switch because he is afraid of losing Ermintrude, but admits to the truth after her departure. Pink is happily reuinted with Tabor and they leave for Oklahoma.
, and shortly after the arrival of the troupe in the city the weather turned cold and rainy. This gives the film the distinction of being one of the first major motion pictures to show the streets of New York in the rain (the studio, making the most of a bad situation, chose to say they had planned for it to rain, and it was the lack of rain that had kept the troupe from returning to Los Angeles from New York on schedule). Cameras were placed in hidden locations so scenes could be shot with unsuspecting pedestrians, however when viewing the rushes of scenes just show, one news boy was seen staring directly into the camera in every shot; the sharp-eyed boy had noticed the hidden cameras in every instance.
As was often the case in Moore's films, and was one of the major attractions of her features--the viewer was treated to the latest fashions during the course of the film.
Hedda Hopper
had a part in the film before she became a famous columnist. A 6-year-old Joe Yule Jr. had a part of a smooth-talking midget... Joe would become famous under the name Mickey Rooney
. The film was well-reviewed.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
comedy starring Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
, filmed partly on location in New York. The film still exists.
Story
Set in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, flapper
Flapper
Flapper in the 1920s was a term applied to a "new breed" of young Western women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior...
Pink Watson (Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
) works a telephone operator at a cement factory who dreams of marrying rich. Her constant daydreaming of wealth annoys her fellow workers, and ruins the heart of one of her worshopping colleagues. Instead, she interviews at the De Luxe Hotel on Fifth Avenue for the job of hotel switchboard operator, and lands the position despite the large amount of women solliciting. During her first day, she befriends Ermintrude De Vere (Gwen Lee
Gwen Lee
Gwen Lee was an American film actress from Hastings, Nebraska. Her given name was Gwendolyn Lepinski.-Acting career:...
), and is invited to accompany her on a date with a young millionaire named Mr. Vandergriff (Brooks Benedict), who is later revealed as a scheming chauffeur at Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. Jenkins' boss, an old millionaire, fires him and tries to flirt with the two girls. While gold digging
Gold digger
A gold digger is someone who likes or takes interest to someone who is rich. It may also refer to:*"Gold Digger", 2005 single by Kanye West*"Gold Digger" , 2009 single by the British group The Dolly Rockers...
Ermintrude is flattered by his attention, Pink reacts appalled at the age difference and walks home, for hours.
While working the next day, an oil millionaire named Tabor (Jack Mulhall
Jack Mulhall
Jack Mulhall, born John Joseph Francis Mulhall, was a film actor since the silent film era and appeared in over 430 films....
) checks in and is immediately set upon by gold-diggers. He swaps places with his assistant Hank (Sam Hardy) and poses as a chauffeur. Pink falls for Tabor without knowing of his fortunes (even though he never lied to her: it was Ermintrude who convinced Pink that the man introducing himself as Tabor was actually his assistant), while Hank gets in trouble under the identity of his employer by charming Ermintrude. Hank quickly learns the backsides of constantly being followed by numerous gold diggers. Following his shift, he helps Tabor with the techniques to seduce a lady, because Tabor has fallen in love with Pink. These tips do not prove to be helpful, noting that when Hank puts them to test with Pink himself, he gets yelled at.
When Tabor tries to flirt with the same pick up lines, Pink is less than flattered and criticizes him for taking money from his 'boss', with which he bought flowers for her. Talbor then tries to reveal his true identity, but Pink does not believe him and tries to get rid of him in the mass of the New York streets. She eventually gets on a bus, thinking to have lost him, only to have him jumping on the same bus from another vehicle. Pink is still not impressed, until he gets hit on his head by a bridge and passes out. Feeling guilty, Pink takes care of him and falls in love, even though realizing that she will be a poor girl her entire life when she marries a valet. Hank, meanwhile, is taking Ermintrude out for dinner, during which she quickly tricks him into eloping with her.
The following morning, Tabor, now working as a floor walker, asks Pink to marry him, and she enthusiastically accepts. He then again reveals his true identity and spoils his fiancé with extreme wealth, as well as a wedding dress in a fancy shop. Meanwhile, the shop's owner finds a photo in the newspaper featuring 'Tabor' (Hank) and Ermintrude as a newlywed, and thinks that the real Tabor is an impostor. He allerts the police, and has Tabor arrested. Devastated by what she thinks is betrayal, Pink contacts 'Tabor' (Hank) to help her get his 'valet' (Tabor) out of jail. At court, Hank initially lies about the identity switch because he is afraid of losing Ermintrude, but admits to the truth after her departure. Pink is happily reuinted with Tabor and they leave for Oklahoma.
Background
Exteriors for the film were shot on location in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and shortly after the arrival of the troupe in the city the weather turned cold and rainy. This gives the film the distinction of being one of the first major motion pictures to show the streets of New York in the rain (the studio, making the most of a bad situation, chose to say they had planned for it to rain, and it was the lack of rain that had kept the troupe from returning to Los Angeles from New York on schedule). Cameras were placed in hidden locations so scenes could be shot with unsuspecting pedestrians, however when viewing the rushes of scenes just show, one news boy was seen staring directly into the camera in every shot; the sharp-eyed boy had noticed the hidden cameras in every instance.
As was often the case in Moore's films, and was one of the major attractions of her features--the viewer was treated to the latest fashions during the course of the film.
Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper was an American actress and gossip columnist, whose long-running feud with friend turned arch-rival Louella Parsons became at least as notorious as many of Hopper's columns.-Early life:...
had a part in the film before she became a famous columnist. A 6-year-old Joe Yule Jr. had a part of a smooth-talking midget... Joe would become famous under the name Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
. The film was well-reviewed.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Colleen Moore Colleen Moore Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:... |
'Pink' Watson |
| Jack Mulhall Jack Mulhall Jack Mulhall, born John Joseph Francis Mulhall, was a film actor since the silent film era and appeared in over 430 films.... |
Richard Tabor |
| Sam Hardy | Hank |
| Gwen Lee Gwen Lee Gwen Lee was an American film actress from Hastings, Nebraska. Her given name was Gwendolyn Lepinski.-Acting career:... |
Ermintrude De Vere |
| Alma Bennett Alma Bennett Alma Bennett was an American film actress of the silent era. She appeared in 64 films between 1915 and 1931.She was born in Seattle, Washington and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:... |
The Vamp |
| Hedda Hopper Hedda Hopper Hedda Hopper was an American actress and gossip columnist, whose long-running feud with friend turned arch-rival Louella Parsons became at least as notorious as many of Hopper's columns.-Early life:... |
The Modiste |
| Kate Price Kate Price (actress) Kate Price was an Irish-born American actress. She is perhaps best-remembered for playing the role of Mrs. Kelly in the comedy series, The Cohens and Kellys, made by Universal Pictures between 1926 and 1932. Price appeared in 296 motion pictures between 1910 and 1937.-Career:She was born Katherine... |
Mrs. McGinnis |
| Jed Prouty | Leander Blom |
| Emily Fitzroy Emily Fitzroy Emily Fitzroy was a British film actress who eventually became an American citizen. She made her film debut in 1915 and retired in 1944, with exactly 100 films to her resume... |
Mrs. Blom |
| Carolynne Snowden | Hattie (as Caroline Snowden) |
| Yola d'Avril Yola d'Avril Yola d'Avril was a French-born actress, who appeared in numerous American productions such as New Movietone Follies of 1930 between 1925 and 1953.... |
Telephone Operator |
| Brooks Benedict | Chauffeur Jenkins / Mr. Vandergriff |
Footnotes
- Colleen Moore, Silent Star, Doubleday, 1968.
- 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).
- Daily Illini (University of Illinois), January 30th, 1927, page 10.
External links
- Colleen Moore Project
- YouTube video of Orchids and Ermine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMjxXhhfUvE
- http://silent-volume.blogspot.com/2010/04/orchids-and-ermine-1927.html
- http://www.mickeyrooneyfanclub.com/orchidsermine.htm