''Pardon My French'' is a

lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

1921 American silent

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

produced by Messmore Kendall and distributed by

Goldwyn Pictures Goldwyn Pictures Corporation was an American motion picture production company that operated from 1916 to 1924 when it was merged with two other production companies to form the major studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was founded on November 19, 1 ...

. It was directed by

Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...

with

Vivian Martin Vivian Martin (July 22, 1893 – March 16, 1987) was an American stage and silent film actress. Biography Martin was born in Sparta, Michigan and began her career as a child actress on the stage with comedian Lew Fields. Her early theatrical ...

in the leading role.

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Polly (Martin), an ingenue with a barnstorming acting troupe, works her way back to New York City with the rest of the company on a coal barge. Bunny (Spink), who has always played butler roles, secures a position with the Hawkers, a newly rich Kansas family on Long Island, and when they are in need of a

French maid ''French maid'' was a term applied in the Victorian and early 20th century periods to a lady's maid of French nationality. A lady's maid was a senior servant who reported directly to the lady of the house, and accompanied her mistress on t ...

secures the position for Polly. A bogus Count and Countess attempt to win the confidence of the Hawkers, but their son Zeke (Yearsley) prefers the company of Polly to that of Countess Castairs (Studiford). Mrs. Hawker (Beresford) gives a party and Polly is dressed up to act as one of the guests. After she is insulted, she leaves the house. The family jewels are stolen and Polly is arrested. She unwittingly tips off the police to the bogus count and countess and is freed. Having fallen in love with a wealthy ex-actor, Ferdinand Aloysius MacGillicudy, she agrees to become his leading lady for life.

Cast

as Polly *George Spink as Bunny *Thomas Meegan as J. Hawker *Nadine Beresford as Mrs. Hawker *

Ralph Yearsley Ralph Yearsley (October 6, 1896 – December 4, 1928) was a British-born character actor who worked in Hollywood films. Early life and education Born in London, England, he was trained in a medical school, but left for the United States to pursu ...

as Zeke Hawker * Grace Studiford as Countess Castairs *Walter McEwen as Marquis de Void *Wallace Ray as Ferdinand Aloysius MacGillicudy

References

External links

* *
''Pardon My French''
website dedicated to Sidney Olcott 1921 films American silent feature films Films directed by Sidney Olcott 1921 comedy films Silent American comedy films American black-and-white films Lost American films 1921 lost films Lost comedy films 1920s American films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub