Penultimate silent from D.W. Griffith was dismissed upon release, but now looks perfectly respectable if unexceptional. Wealthy middle-aged Jean Hersholt is netted by gold-digging Phyllis Haver, but his plucky daughter, Sally O’Neill, exposes an on-going relationship w/ lounge lizard Don Alvardo & returns wayward Papa to hearth & home. The film opens smartly with a well crafted barbershop situational, but the sex farce aspects don’t bring out an inner Monte Bell or Ernst Lubitsch in DW. As the story darkens in the last act, he comes alive, especially for the suicide attempt by Belle Bennett as the deserted, loyal wife. Wonderfully shot (mostly by Karl Struss) & in superb condition, but Griffith is just treading water.
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