Orchids and Ermine

Plot

One of the most accessible of the Colleen Moore silent vehicles, Orchids and Ermine also happens to be among Moore's best and most representative films. The star is cast as Pink Watson, whose craving for such luxuries as orchids and ermine lead her to take a job as a telephone receptionist in a hotel catering to wealthy men. In the course of her many subsequent adventures, she meets a millionaire named Richard Tabor (Jack Mulhall), who to avoid predatory females has switched identities with his faithful valet Hanks (Sam Hardy). After making a half-hearted play for Hanks, Pink falls in love with Tabor, deciding that money doesn't mean anything after all -- and is she surprised when she learns Tabor's true identity. One of the highlights of Orchids and Ermine is a brief scene involving a flirtatious, cigar-smoking midget, played by 6-year-old Joe Yule Jr. -- who of course "grew up" to become Mickey Rooney. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

Colleen Moore is in top form in this bright comedy, but it's interesting to note that her character, Pink Watson, does little to move the plot. It really pivots around the male lead, Jack Mulhall, as the wealthy oilman Richard Tabor. This is fine, really, since Mulhall makes a highly capable foil for Moore, and she's left with little to do but show off her comic abilities. Pink is a classic Moore character; she may have big dreams (she drapes a fluffy white cat over her shoulders and pretends it's an ermine stole), but she's really a good girl who won't compromise herself to get what she wants. Her moral fiber is starkly contrasted by her pal, Ermintrude (Gwen Lee), who sells flowers at the fancy hotel where Pink works as receptionist. Ermintrude will do anything to land a rich man, even get him drunk to get him to the altar. Of course, she doesn't know her mark, Hank (Sam Hardy), is really a valet. Moore has a number of great moments; perhaps the best is when a frustrated designer (who thinks she is hopeless) is trying to create a dress for her. All Moore has to do is raise a couple of fingers to be hilarious. Mulhall also gets a few moments of his own, most notably when he chases after Pink in a rainstorm and pretends to be unconscious on the trolley so she will minister to him. The scene in which child actor Mickey Rooney plays a midget was probably funny enough at the time, but it's even more hilarious now, considering Rooney's history with women after he grew up. Moore does not get that much attention nowadays; the word "flapper" tends to bring up images of Clara Bow instead. This is really too bad, because her performances are delightful. This one in particular has aged very well, even though its title cards smack of 1920s humor. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Cast

• Colleen Moore - Pink Watson
• Jack Mulhall - Richard Tabor
• Sam Hardy - Hank
• Gwen Lee - Ermintrude

Hedda Hopper; Jed Prouty; Mickey Rooney - Bit Part

Credit

Alfred Santell - Director, Carey Wilson - Screen Story, Mervyn LeRoy - Screenwriter

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