Children Of Divorce (1927)

Two little girls (Joyce Coad, Yvonne Pelletier) are the children of divorced parents. They are left in the care of a convent while their parents lead their lives. When they grow up, they remain friends but lead different lives. One (Clara Bow) is a flapper looking for a rich husband while the other (Esther Ralston) is a wealthy heiress with a more serious demeanor. Based on the novel by Owen Johnson and directed by Frank Lloyd (MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY). This silent melodrama is an odd little film that reflects a conflicted view of divorce. As little girls, the two protagonists are the victims of divorce, lonely while their parents continue their lives. But as each grows up, they fall in love but are unable to marry the man they love. Because her love (Einar Hanson) has a title but is impoverished, the flapper steals the rich fiance (Gary Cooper) of her best friend (Ralston) and all four suffer because divorce is not an option (religion and a child) and only the death of one of them will bring happiness to two of them. Today, as then, divorce would be the answer to their problems but the obstacles would be removed. Clara Bow brings a sassy attitude to her performance while the young Gary Cooper already projecting the star quality that would make him a popular leading man in the 1930s and beyond. With Hedda Hopper and Norman Trevor.