The New York herald., 1922-03-27
Marion Davies as
Quakeress StripeS
Hard tOLOOk Plain
Later in Film 'Beauty's
Worth She Blossoms Out
Like a Rose.


Paramount production from the story
by Sophie Kerr. directed by Robert q.
yisnoIa. Scenario by Luther Reed.
The greatest interest In "Eeauty's
I Worth lies in Miss Marion Davies's
desperate efforts to look plain. 1t is ab-
solutely imperative that she look plain.
The story deals with a Quakeress, and,
Of course, Quakeresses can't look pretty
except in a musical comedy, now can
they? Moreover, it is quite vital that
she should be lacking in pulchritude
since the smart girls at the summer re-
sort where she is visiting a wealthy
woman friend are TO snub her, after the
fashion of smart girls who hold that it's
any ones fault nowadays to look plain.
what with beauty parlors and such right
at hand.
OF course, later on you have just the
tlniest ghost OF a suspicion that Miss
Davies is going to blossom out like the
rose, and sure enough you're right, as
usual. But what would be the sense of
having Miss Davies look radiant as only
she can look in sumptuous gowns un-
less you first got the contrast of how
she appeared before the hero stalked
into her life and changed everything in
cluding the length OF her bathing suit.
We ask you.
Fails to Hide Her Beauty.
So Miss Davies strives earnestly and
firmly to appear uncomely. but you can
see it's quite strain for her. She con-
trols her eyes demurely and she guards
her hair from marcel waves jealously.
I Glt, ft0a -lanln t.
admit that so far as this side of her
acting Is concerned. Miss Davies is
distinct failure at looking plain.
But you know the unequal struggle
can't go on forever. Presently the in
evitable young artist with curly hair
appears, and because the young woman
sasses him back he decides to make an
other GdtdteG out Of her, this time with
oress goods instead of a. chisel. One of
the most amusing scenes takes place
when the artist calls upon the girls of
society to kindle their souls. and one OF
them Is shown trying to develop this
kind of spontaneous combustion and
have IL burst right out on her face.
This request is made when the artist
is choosing the principal girl for the
coming charades, for naturally there
must be charades of some sort, since
this is a Marion Davies picture. Miss
over this detail.
The charades make Prudence celeb
rity. casting the other girls into the
shade and rewardlng the artist with the
opportunity TO design more costumes
for her. One is rather struck with this
idea of turning the hero into a male
milliner. One wonders. too, who FUR
nishes the dresses. but Of course Provi-
dence always looks after the beautiful
and the good. One OF them Is q short
measure bathing suit that breaks or
defantly at the knee. The higher Prii-
dence goes In society the higher goes
her bathing suit, apparently.
Plunges Into Swimming Pool.
Her strict Quaker aunts come unex-
pectedly on tho scene when she is the
center OF an adoring masculine circle
in this outfit. smoking a cigarette with
sophisticated fuency. Now the picture
seems to center about those burning is
sues OF the day. Ought a woman to
smoker" and How many inches are
there to modesty?" Miss Davies solves
these problems by plunging into the
swimming pool to hide her confusion
and her bathing suit. The cavaliers
plunge after her clothes. cigarettes and
all. Tile incident is ineptly done. but It
Ia worth while In showing that Miss
Davies IN wet natatorlal garb could
pose for one OF those classical sturdy
athletes as the Discus Thower or the
China HEAVIER
In the end this Py1aofion falls In
love with his GoIdteG and she takes
him after marrying off practically
every one else In sight. The tale seems
on the point OF stopping OF it's own will
several times and the aunts are pro-
PEELED suddenly into the picture. only to
be as suddenly yanked out. But the
production is quite innocent. has some
entertaining touches and is a daring de-
pariure In that Miss Davies finishes in
the simple costume in which she began
There are the usual lavish gowns and
Urban settings that one is called upon
70 admire in these photoplays. Besides
being full OF tho impossible romance
that many persons like II conveys nm
original suggestion In the thought that
Johnny and Gordon Dooley ought TO be
filmed by some producer IN q series OF
comedies as the eccentric dolls they
play here. Forrest Stanley Is one OF
The most beautiful heroes eytant--you
should see him become authoritative
with ataQe hand.