''Our Mutual Girl'' is a 1914 American

film serial A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater, gene ...

shown in weekly installments, starring Norma Phillips. It was created by

Mutual Film Mutual Film Corporation was an early American film conglomerate that produced some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. Founded in 1912, it was absorbed by Film Booking Offices of America, which evolved into RKO Pictures. Founding Mutual's ...

to be an alternative to "stunt-driven, wild-animal wrestling" serials such as ''The Perils of Pauline''. ''Our Mutual Girl'' ran for 52 weekly installments. Most installments featured cameos by notable figures from the worlds of politics,

sport Sport pertains to any form of Competition, competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and Skill, skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to specta ...

s, entertainment, business and art. The serial was "provided free to exhibitors as the figurehead for the Mutual program of one-reel, two-reel and serial films, forming a trademark for the exchange as a whole." It is an example of early national advertising that was specifically targeted to women consumers.

Plot

Margaret, known as "our Mutual girl," travels from the country to New York City to stay with her wealthy aunt. Over the course of the serial, she is transformed into a "society belle," introduced to notable society figures, and taught how to dress and act to fit into her aunt's world.

Cast

*Norma Phillips as Margaret, our Mutual girl * J. W. Johnston as Jack Stuyvescent *Grace Fisher as Aunt Abbie *

Mayme Kelso Mayme Kelso (February 28, 1867 – June 5, 1946) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in more than 70 films between 1911 and 1927. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, and died in South Pasadena, California from a heart attac ...

as Mrs. James Knickerbocker *

Madge Tyrone Madge Tyrone was an American actress, film editor, and screenwriter active during Hollywood's silent era. Biography Born in New York, Tyrone began her career as a stage actress, appearing in plays touring around the East Coast as early as 1911 ...

as Travers’ sister *Evelyn Dumo as Margaret's maid *Jessie Lewis as Lewis, Mrs. Knickerbocker's maid *James Alling as Mrs. Knickerbocker's butler *Edward Brennan as Howard Dunbar

Notable cameo appearances

References

External links

* * {{BFI, id=4ce2b752e2190, title=Our Mutual Girl 1914 films American silent serial films 1910s American films