At just under 20 minutes, the only existent version wallops a lot of movie into that running time. There's action with athletic Valentino fighting the villain and several rough sailors, there's the romance between Rudy and Carmel's characters, and comedy superbly played by Zasu Pitts at her most beautiful Lillian Gish doppleganger best.
Margaret (Carmel) is the daughter of fisherman with some pretentious claims to a noble lineage; as befitting his stature, Capt. Parmalee (father) sends Margaret to the city to be taken under the wing of a society matron who will polish her with manners of a lady of quality. Along the way, fresh precocious Margaret meets and beguiles young aristocrat Dick Bradley (Rudolph) The two have a quickie romance with all indications of impending matrimony when Capt. Parmalee receives word that his claim to the noble title cannot be substantiated and Margaret is just a fisherman's daughter. Margaret returns home and Jim, a rough sailor and acquaintance of her father's makes it clear he still wants to marry her, title or no. But Dick isn't giving up and pursues Margaret. They agree to a clandestine meeting at the beach but Jim, knowing Margaret is still sweet on Dick, kidnaps her to his boat. This is where Zasu Pitts, lingering on the sidelines throughout the story and crazy for Jim, jumps into action and alerts everyone that her friend has been stolen---you have to see it, she overacts in such an intentionally ridiculous way you cannot help but be charmed by this silly girl. After a rescue, some fighting, every one coming to peaceful terms, it turns out Margaret really does have a noble heritage and can marry Jim as she is now his equal.
A typical 20s romp with the mores and morals of that time. The original film must have been a delight, as this cut down version, re released in 1924 to exploit Valentino's popularity, is a brief and enjoyable short.
Margaret (Carmel) is the daughter of fisherman with some pretentious claims to a noble lineage; as befitting his stature, Capt. Parmalee (father) sends Margaret to the city to be taken under the wing of a society matron who will polish her with manners of a lady of quality. Along the way, fresh precocious Margaret meets and beguiles young aristocrat Dick Bradley (Rudolph) The two have a quickie romance with all indications of impending matrimony when Capt. Parmalee receives word that his claim to the noble title cannot be substantiated and Margaret is just a fisherman's daughter. Margaret returns home and Jim, a rough sailor and acquaintance of her father's makes it clear he still wants to marry her, title or no. But Dick isn't giving up and pursues Margaret. They agree to a clandestine meeting at the beach but Jim, knowing Margaret is still sweet on Dick, kidnaps her to his boat. This is where Zasu Pitts, lingering on the sidelines throughout the story and crazy for Jim, jumps into action and alerts everyone that her friend has been stolen---you have to see it, she overacts in such an intentionally ridiculous way you cannot help but be charmed by this silly girl. After a rescue, some fighting, every one coming to peaceful terms, it turns out Margaret really does have a noble heritage and can marry Jim as she is now his equal.
A typical 20s romp with the mores and morals of that time. The original film must have been a delight, as this cut down version, re released in 1924 to exploit Valentino's popularity, is a brief and enjoyable short.