I'm not reviewing this film because I can't view it; it's been lost for decades. Apparently this obstacle doesn't stand in the way of some reviewers, who will happily dump all over a movie they've never even seen. What's worse, the one reviewer of "His Secretary" openly equates the quality of the film with the perceived unattractiveness of Norma Shearer's face and figure. Millions of moviegoers considered Shearer attractive enough to be a successful film actress, even before her marriage to the powerful Irving Thalberg.
The only reviews worth reading would be contemporary reviews from 1926, by critics who had actually watched the complete film. Exhibitors Herald from July 3, 1926 wrote: "It's a delight just to look at Norma, she's so pretty." Motion Picture News from January 2, 1926 called the film "crisp, bright comedy shot through with winged arrows of satire," and observed that "Miss Shearer shines brilliantly as the stenographic heroine, creating quite a sensation among the onlookers."
Our only hope is that someday this film we be found, and we can view it for ourselves. In the meantime folks, don't pay any attention to any reviews by know-it-alls who actually know nothing.
