The Darling of New York

The Darling of New York is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by King Baggot and written by Adrian Johnson and Raymond L. Schrock. The film stars Baby Peggy, her first feature film.[1] The film was released on December 3, 1923, by Universal Pictures. In the film, Baby Peggy plays Santussa, who after she is taken by a gang of jewel smugglers is able to reform them.[2]

The Darling of New York
Still with Baby Peggy and director King Baggot
Directed byKing Baggot
Written byKing Baggot (story)
Adrian Johnson
Raymond L. Schrock
StarringBaby Peggy
Sheldon Lewis
Gladys Brockwell
CinematographyJohn Stumar
Production
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Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • December 3, 1923 (1923-12-03)
Running time
60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

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As described in a film magazine review,[3] Italian orphan Santussa is sent to New York City to be cared by for her grandfather. Accompanying Santussa is her Governess. In order to protect themselves and perhaps collect a large ransom, a gem smuggler separates her from her Governess and steals little Baby Peggy. Some stolen gems have been secreted in the clothes of a little rag doll which Baby Peggy has with her, and she is kidnapped from the Italian pier by the gem smuggler. She is cast in with the gang of smugglers at their hideout in New York City's Lower East Side, an immigrant, working-class neighborhood, and goes through a great number of harrowing experiences. Through her actions, members of the gang become reformed and Santussa is finally restored to her family.

 
Baby Peggy holding the rag doll with the stolen gems, from a trade magazine cover

Cast

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Preservation

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This film is presumed to be a lost film with only the last reel, which shows the fire destroying the smugglers' hideout, surviving at the UCLA Film and Television Archive.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Diana Cary (Baby Peggy) (November 3, 2010). "Special Guest Baby Peggy Recalls "The Darling of New York"". starts-thursday.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  2. ^ "The Darling of New York (1923) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  3. ^ "Tried and Proven Pictures: The Darling of New York". Exhibitors Trade Review. New York, NY: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 50. April 26, 1924. Retrieved November 18, 2022.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "Baby Peggy: A Tribute". UCLA Film and Television Archive.
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