Mary Duncan


One of the unsung performances in this film is given by Mary Duncan as the affected stage star. Mary Duncan had been in pictures since the late 1920's, mostly in second leads like this. I think she's excellent here in one of her few films that can be seen today. Ut was also a rare appearance on film as a blonde as she was brunette in most pictures. Her pretentious diva has more than a little Mae Murray in her, surely this legendary silent star was her inspiration. I was stunned to learn Ms. Duncan was 37 when this film was made - she easily looks a decade younger. This was her last movie - not long after it she fell in love with a very wealthy man, retired and became one of the grande dames in Palm Beach society for the rest of her life, passing away in the 1990's well into her nineties.

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