Search - The Olive Thomas Collection: The Flapper/Olive Thomas - Everybody's Sweetheart on DVD

Rare Collection

Samantha Kelley | USA | 10/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is exciting to see such an unknown actress of the silent era presented with a "collection." Olive Thomas had a short career first as a Ziegfeld Girl and then as a silent movie star. Her life was cut short when she ingested mercury pills, rendering her blind and mute before she died. Perhaps her tragic end is the reason for this release, but her fans are given quite a nice tribute to the star.

The Flapper is the only one of Olive's films on the disk, an innocent, sweet film. Olive plays a feisty girl who is quick to impress her schoolmates by pretending to be a flapper, or a girl who gets around. She sets her sights on an older, sophisticated man who is interested when he hears she is older, but scorns her when he is told her real age. He worries about her still when her flapper antics begin to get her into trouble.
The film shows Olive in a very early example of the flapper, a more innocent and toned down version. She seems more like a southern belle than a sex symbol. However, Olive exudes plenty of personality. In some cases, she is reminiscent of Clara Bow who became a highly charged flapper in the late 20s in her dancing scenes and when she cuts up a dress to go out with a sophisticated man. There is one scene that is somewhat disturbing because of Olive's death. Her character contemplates hanging herself because the man she is infatuated with dismisses her. It turns comical, but only brings up the fact that no one knows for sure if Olive meant to take the mercury pills or if it was only an accident.
The picture is amazingly clear. The scenery is amazing whether it be the snowy country setting or the city life. The title cards are rather artistic and fun especially for 1920. Robert Israel's score is average and accommodates the film well enough.

The documentary on this disk is a real treat. It is not even an hour long, but it contains much information that has never been compiled together and some that is new. The choice in narrator is rather strange, much as it normally is for these types of documentaries, but Rosanna Arquette does a good job. Fans and distant relatives provide commentaries. There are some annoying reenactments and some fake accents used when reading quotes, but on the whole, Olive Thomas: Everybody's Sweetheart is wonderful. It begins by telling that Olive's ghost is said to haunt the New Amsterdam Theater where the Ziegfeld Follies were held, an interesting claim that could drive tourists to the theater. It details Olive's early life and her success on the stage. Many of her films look interesting and will hopefully be released to the public. One story should have been detailed further because it is so unique; a few of Olive's films were found under a swimming pool in Alaska. Olive's relationship with Jack Pickford is discussed in detail including Mary Pickford's stance on the two. It ends with a great epilogue telling about Olive's contribution to the film industry, including speculation on whether David O. Selznik's middle initial is a tribute to Thomas.

There are a few interesting extra features on this DVD as well. There are many Thomas stills, several of them quite rare. There is an audio presentation of a newspaper article written by Olive's first husband that is illustrated by stills and film clips. There are two reenactments of stories told by Billy Bitzer and Lenora Coffee which are silly and fun. Finally, there are two songs played that were written for Olive.

Overall, this collection is a gem and a must-have for fans of silent films."