How Could You, Caroline?

How Could You, Caroline? is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Frederick A. Thomson, with a screenplay by Agnes Christine Johnston.[2][4] It stars Bessie Love, James W. Morrison, and Dudley Hawley.[5]

How Could You, Caroline?
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Directed byFrederick A. Thomson
Screenplay byAgnes Christine Johnston
Based on
"How Could You, Caroline?" (story)[1]
by
  • Izola Forester
  • Mann Page
StarringBessie Love
James W. Morrison
Dudley Hawley
Production
company
Distributed byPathé Exchange[2]
Release date
  • May 5, 1918 (1918-05-05) (U.S.)[3]
Running time
5 reels[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

The film, filmed in Charleston, South Carolina,[6] is presumed lost.[7]

Plot

Caroline (Love), a student at a boarding school, attends the wedding of her sister Ethel (Earle), where handsome taxi driver Reginald (Hawley) is to be her date. Reginald's taxi breaks down while giving Caroline a ride, and Caroline is late to the wedding. As punishment, she is sent to her room, but she escapes and decides to elope with Reginald, only to discover that he is married.

Later, Caroline is engaged to Bob (Morrison). Caroline disguises herself as a masked dancer at his bachelor party to see whether he truly loves her. Bob marries the masked dancer. Caroline reveals her identity, which Bob already had realized, and they are happy together.[2][5][8]

Cast

Reception

A contemporaneous review called the plot "rather frail and considerably padded at the end", but praised the performances of Love and Hawley.[2] Love's wardrobe was cited as fashionable.[9]

Screenwriter Agnes Christine Johnston's depiction of the female lead character has been praised as efficiently creating complex female identities.[4]

References
  1. "Pathé". The Moving Picture World. May 11, 1918. p. 806.
  2. "How Could You, Caroline?". Dramatic Mirror of Motion Pictures and the Stage. Vol. 78, no. 2054. May 4, 1918. p. 632.
  3. Quigley, Martin J. (May 11, 1918). "Reviews". Exhibitors Herald. Vol. VI, no. 20. p. 25.
  4. Muscio, Giuliana. "Women Screenwriters in American Silent Cinema". In Callahan, Vicki (ed.). Reclaiming the Archive: Feminism and Film History. p. 303.
  5. "Moving Pictures". Variety. Vol. 50, no. 13. May 24, 1918. p. 34.
  6. "Amusement Calendar". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. June 2, 1918. p. 2.
  7. "How Could You, Caroline? / Frederick Thompson [motion picture]". Library of Congress.
  8. Milne, Peter (May 18, 1918). "Screen Examinations". Motion Picture News. p. 3001.
  9. Smith, Patsy (May 24, 1918). "Among the Women". Variety. Vol. 50, no. 13. p. 40.
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