The Tomboy
"A Whirlwind of Fun, Frolic and Thrills!"
Plot
In a small rustic village, Tommy Smith is a spirited young woman known as the local tomboy who manages a boarding house to support her eccentric inventor father, Henry. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a handsome stranger from the city, Aldon Farwell, arrives as a new boarder and begins a romance with her, though he is secretly an undercover federal revenue agent. When the local sheriff is murdered and a stash of illegal liquor is discovered in the Smith family barn, Tommy's father is wrongfully accused of the crime and the bootlegging operation. Tommy and Aldon must join forces in a high-speed truck chase to capture the real culprits, leading to the revelation that the gang leader is a man posing as an invalid. In a final twist, Henry Smith reveals he has actually been working undercover with the federal agents all along, clearing his name and blessing the union between Tommy and Aldon.
About the Production
The film was produced by the Mission Film Corporation and distributed through the independent 'State Rights' market by Chadwick Pictures. It was specifically designed as a starring vehicle for Dorothy Devore to transition her from short subjects into feature-length stardom. Production focused on blending the 'country girl' archetype popularized by Mary Pickford with the more modern, athletic 'flapper' energy of the mid-1920s. The film utilized a mix of rural outdoor locations and detailed boarding house sets to create its 'Hickville' atmosphere.
Historical Background
Released in 1924, 'The Tomboy' arrived during the height of the Prohibition era in the United States, making its bootlegging and revenue agent plot highly topical. The film also reflects the 'New Woman' social shift of the 1920s; while Tommy is a 'country girl,' her independence, physical strength, and refusal to adhere to traditional feminine norms mirrored the burgeoning flapper culture. This period saw a transition in cinema where rural 'rube' comedies were being infused with more sophisticated melodrama and action elements to appeal to both urban and rural audiences.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a primary example of the 'Tomboy' archetype that allowed female stars of the silent era to exhibit physical agency and humor outside of the 'damsel in distress' or 'vamp' roles. It contributed to the career of Dorothy Devore, helping her establish a screen persona that balanced sweetness with rugged athleticism. Furthermore, its survival and subsequent screenings at silent film festivals have made it a point of study for historians interested in independent 'Poverty Row' productions and the representation of rural American life in the 1920s.
Making Of
The production was a significant step for Dorothy Devore, who had previously gained fame in Al Christie's short comedies. Director David Kirkland focused on highlighting Devore's physical comedy skills, particularly in scenes where she engages in fistfights with local bullies or performs acrobatic maneuvers. The 'eccentric devices' mentioned in the plot were practical props designed to add a layer of visual comedy to the boarding house setting, reflecting the 1920s fascination with gadgetry and invention. During filming, the crew reportedly enjoyed a lighthearted atmosphere, with cast members often performing impromptu routines between takes to keep the energy high for the comedy sequences.
Visual Style
Shot by Milton Moore, the film features standard 1.33:1 spherical cinematography. It is notable for its use of natural light in the rural village scenes and the dynamic camera placement during the climactic truck chase, which was intended to maximize the sense of speed and danger.
Innovations
The film utilized 'tinting' techniques (such as amber for interiors and blue for night scenes) to enhance the visual mood, a common but effectively executed practice for this production. The integration of practical 'inventor' props required clever mechanical staging to ensure they functioned reliably for the camera.
Music
As a silent film, there was no original recorded score. However, modern restorations and festival screenings often feature live piano or organ accompaniment, sometimes utilizing period-appropriate 'photoplay music' cues designed for comedy-melodramas.
Famous Quotes
Intertitle: 'Tommy Smith—who promised her mother to look after her father, and has been busy doing it ever since.'
Memorable Scenes
- The climactic truck chase where Tommy and Aldon pursue the bootleggers across the countryside.
- The introduction of Henry Smith's eccentric inventions within the boarding house, showcasing various Rube Goldberg-style gadgets.
- The scene where Tommy discovers the hidden liquor in the barn and mistakenly believes her father is a criminal.
Did You Know?
- Dorothy Devore was nicknamed 'The Female Harold Lloyd' by critics for her athletic stunts and 'human fly' characteristics in this film.
- Though Frank Dazey is the primary credited writer, Agnes Christine Johnston (who later wrote for the Andy Hardy series) is also credited on the film's opening titles.
- The film was screened as a special tinted presentation at the 2015 Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival in Niles, California.
- The character 'Rugby Blood' is a play on words, and the actor Harry Gribbon played him as a 'hypochondriac' villain named T.B.
- This was one of the more ambitious releases from Chadwick Pictures, a 'Poverty Row' studio known for independent productions.
- The film features a 'State Rights' distribution model, common for independent films of the era where rights were sold territory by territory.
- Dorothy Devore actually performed many of her own stunts, including the climactic truck chase.
- The film's plot combines the popular 'Revenue Agent' subgenre with the 'Tomboy' character trope common in 1920s rural comedies.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, 'The Moving Picture World' described it as a 'melodrama-comedy' with a slight story but praised the performances. Critics particularly singled out Milton Moore's cinematography for its clarity and effective use of outdoor lighting. Modern reviews from silent film enthusiasts often highlight Devore's charm and the film's brisk pacing, though some note that the 'bootlegging' plot was a standard trope of the era. It is generally regarded as a delightful, if conventional, example of mid-20s independent filmmaking.
What Audiences Thought
The film was well-received by regional audiences, particularly in the independent circuit where Dorothy Devore had a loyal following. Its mix of romance, slapstick, and a high-stakes chase provided the 'thrills and spills' that 1920s audiences expected from a holiday-season release. Its longevity in the 'State Rights' market suggests it remained a popular rental for local theaters well into 1925.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The 'country girl' films of Mary Pickford (e.g., 'M'Liss')
- The physical comedy of Harold Lloyd
- Al Christie's short comedies
This Film Influenced
- The Andy Hardy series (via writer Agnes Christine Johnston)
- Later 'feisty country girl' comedies of the 1930s
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Film Restoration
Preserved. A 16mm reduction positive print exists. A copy is held in the American Film Institute Collection at the Library of Congress. The film has been restored and released on DVD by various silent film specialist labels.