BUTTERFLY
Scen.: Olga Printzlau, dalla novella di Kathleen Norris; Titoli: Marlan Aislee; F.: Ben Reynolds; M.: Edward Schroeder; Scgf.: E. E. Sheeley; Ass. R.: Charles Dorlan; Int.: Laura La Plante (Dora Collier), Ruth Clifford (Hilary Collier), Kenneth Arlan (Craig Spaulding), Norman Kerry (Konrad Kronski), Cesare Gravina (Von Mendesheld), Margaret Livingston (Violet Vanderwort), Freeman Wood (Cecil Atherton), T. Roy Barnes (Cy Dwyer), Rose Rosanova (non accreditata); Prod.: Universal Pictures; 35mm. (gonfiato da / blown up from 16mm). D.: 82’ a 22 f/s.
Film Notes
Butterfly, adapted from a novel by Kathleen Norris (a polular writer of melodramas in the 1920s) was the third film that Brown made for Carl Laemmle’s Universal studios. This prestigious assignment – it was a Universal “Jewel” picture – would win Brown admirers within the industry and amongst movie-goers. Telling the story of two sisters, one self-sacrificing, the other spoilt and frivolous, it showcased the talents of Laura La Plante, already a major star at Universal, and Ruth Clifford, perhaps less known today, but an actress who had worked within the industry for almost a decade. One of the most engaging aspects of Butterfly is Brown’s depiction of the Jazz Age.
Gwenda Young