This original 8 x 10 glossy press photo captures a youthful Molly O’Day (1909-1998) in character for her role in The Patent Leather Kid (1927). She is posed confidently, wearing a two-piece costume that reveals her midriff — a daring choice for the 1920s — consisting of a bandeau-style top with soft ruffled trim and a matching skirt. Her attire, suggestive of a cabaret or showgirl character, was clearly intended to evoke a sense of allure and vivacity appropriate to the flapper era. Her expression is one of poise and subdued seductiveness, with a slight, knowing smile and eyes that seem to both challenge and engage the viewer. Her bobbed hair is tightly styled, in keeping with the flapper fashion of the time, and she wears light makeup that accentuates her cheekbones and lips. While this photograph would not be considered overtly risqué by today’s standards, in the context of the 1920s, it certainly leaned toward provocative. The exposed midriff and coquettish pose were part of the studio’s strategy to promote films with bold, modern female characters. The reverse of the photograph bears the original typed press caption, which names her and references The Patent Leather Kid. The handwritten “1927” corresponds with the film’s release year. The film was produced by First National Pictures and directed by Alfred Santell. Molly’s co-star was Richard Barthelmess. She played his love interest. This film is a silent drama with a strong boxing and war narrative. Barthelmess plays a tough New York prizefighter who finds redemption through love and heroism during World War I. Molly O’Day plays the spirited woman who softens the fighter’s hardened heart. The film was a major box office success, notable for its production values and emotional storytelling. It was a “million-dollar production,” a massive budget for the time, and was nominated for two Academy Awards at the first-ever Oscars. Molly was one of 11 children in a working-class Irish Catholic family. Her older sister, Sally O’Neil, was also a successful actress. Molly followed Sally to Hollywood and began her film career at just 16. Her big break came in 1927 when she won a “WAMPAS Baby Star” award, an honor given to promising young actresses. Her role in The Patent Leather Kid launched her into stardom. Known for her blend of wholesomeness and sex appeal, Molly became a popular figure in silent films and early talkies. Other notable films include: Gigolo (1926), Heroes In Blue (1927), and The Lovelorn (1927). Molly married actor Jack Durant in 1934, with whom she had four children. Her later years were marked by personal challenges, including struggles with weight and depression, which led her to step back from the industry in the 1930s. One of the more interesting footnotes to her career is that she underwent one of Hollywood’s earliest publicized weight-loss surgeries, which became a tabloid story in the early 1930s. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Leave a comment