Lights Of Old Broadway (1925)

Two girl infants are separated at birth. One is adopted into a wealthy New York society family while the other is adopted by poor Irish immigrants. The Irish girl (Marion Davies) grows up to be a chorus girl who falls in love with a young man (Conrad Nagel) from a wealthy family and whose adopted sister (Marion Davies) just happens to be the twin separated at birth. Based on the play THE MERRY WIVES OF GOTHAM by Laurence Eyre and directed by Monta Bell. This creaky melodrama was a big hit and resulted in an MGM (who released the film) contract for Davies. The reason for seeing the film is the effervescent Davies who gets to play two very different roles here although the wealthy sister doesn't get as much screen time as the feisty Irish sister. The Irishness is brushed on so thickly that one almost expects John Ford to have had his finger in the pie. The movie is notable for its early use of Technicolor in the "lights on" sequence but tinting is also used. Not essential though fans of silent cinema may enjoy it. With Frank Currier and Charles McHugh.