The Naughty Twenties

This one-reel short covering the "new and daring" 1920s barely scratches the surface, but it is good filler. The clips appear to be newsreels from Warner Bros. Narrator Art Gilmore reads writer Charles L. Tedford script with brisk enthusiasm. We begin with the end of The Great War – the USA is guided by President Woodrow Wilson. Political campaigns are covered. "The Naughty Twenties" were presumably "naughty" due to Prohibition, and we see speakeasies. Flappers and suffragettes provide a sharp contrast in women's movements. "Bold and shocking" feminine bathing attire is shown. Considering the future, the brief clips of young Franklin D. Roosevelt and young Hirohito are interesting. Arguably the decade's most popular "all-around" entertainer, Al Jolson is seen briefly; since he was under contract to the studio producing this short, the attention seems slight. A sports highlight shows boxing heavyweight Jack Dempsey. There are rare looks at actor George Arliss and dancer Marilyn Miller performing live, with the latter given a relatively generous portion of screen time.

***** The Naughty Twenties (2/51) Gordon Hollingshead ~ Art Gilmore, Marilyn Miller, Jack Dempsey, Elsie Janis