The Glory of Clementina (1922) Robertson-Cole Pictures. Director: Emile Chautard. Scenario: E. Richard Schayer, Winifred Dunn. Camera: Dev Jennings. Cast: Edward Martindel, George Cowl, Lincoln Plummer, Edward Hern, Jean Calhoun, Wilson Hummel, Louise Dresser, Helen Stone, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Truly Shattuck. 6 reels. This film appears to be LOST

It's amazing what a designer gown will do for you. Polly is transformed in The Glory of Clementina.

Review from Variety, June 23, 1922

An R.-C. five-reel production with Paulime Frederick starred. Story by Wm. J. Lock and script by Richard E. Schayer. Emile Chautard directed.

This seems to be a rather an exceptional R.-C. program picture, and if Pauline Frederick draws the picture is certain to satisfy the fans. At this time it seems rather a point as to whether or not Miss Frederick has any drawing power at the box office. In the bigger week run theatres around the Times square section it is held that Miss Frederick has lost her power to attract there, but as against this the daily change houses maintain that she is as big a drawing card as ever for them. Perhaps her return to the stage during the coming season will alter the aspect regarding the box office attractiveness even to the big Broadway houses. This picture, however, was worthy of being run in any of the week stand theatres right on the Main Stem, especially in the view of the productions that the majority of those houses have been playing during the last three months.

Miss Frederick plays the role of a woman disappointed in mankind because of the fact that the man that she was in love with was vamped away from her. His death makes her co-guardian of his daughter with Quixtus sharing the responsibility with her. When she discovers that the vamp who stole her first love is about to ensnare Quix, she decides to emerge from the dowdy cocoon that she has been affecting and emerge as a beauty. She does this and the result is that she proves to be the victor in the battle for his affections.

The story is well handled on the screen and Miss Frederick makes a distinct impression. A juvenile love interest is carried by Jean Calhoun and Edward Hearn, while Louise Dresser, assisted by Truly Shattuck furnish the heavy element. Edward Martindale is acceptable as the easily handled Quixtus.

There are a few spots about midway in the picture where the action drags a little, but with a little speeding here the direction would have registered perfect.

Review from Moving Picture World

"The Glory of Clementina"
Pauline Frederick Stars in R-C Picture Made from Locke Novel.
Reviewed by Fritz Tidden.

There is an intangible something in a William J. Locke novel, which for want of a better name might possibly be called charm, that is practically impossible to interpret visibly. Locke's plots are frequently of the frailest, and the reader's strong interest in any of his books is built us with this indefinable quality. To spread this on the screen without the spoken word presents a difficulty that is surmountable in only but inspired instances.

Locke's novel, "The Glory of Clementina," is a perfect case in point. As reading matter it is wholly delightful. In translating it in terms of film it naturally followed that some of the quality that made the book unusually charming was lost in transit, through no fault of the producers. They have done the best possible with the usable moving picture material in hand. The result is a picture that some persons will consider too long, in that it outgrows its plot.

The story furnishes Pauline Frederick, the star, with a role that requires acting of a high quality. As might be expected, Miss Frederick meets the demands upon her with her familiar ability. In her interpretation of the brilliant but dowdy young woman who in the pursuit of artistic success had stifled every natural instinct in her until she becomes what might be called rejuvenated Miss Frederick gives a vivid performance. She is assisted by a capable cast of well known players. Louise Dresser, famous musical comedy star, makes her screen debut in this picture, unless a great mistake is made.

The novel has been widely read; it became justly popular at the time of its publication some years ago. The name, coupled with that of the star, should furnish good box office possibilities.

The Story:
At thirty-five Clementina Wing might have been any age. In the struggle to gain fame in painting she had foregone all thought of self and had devoted her life entirely to art. Tommy Burgrave, a fellow artists who frequents her studio, brings his uncle Quixtus, a wealthy man, who poses for his portrait before Clementina. Following a succession of disillusions that take the forms of truths from out of his past happy life, Quixtus was turned into a man who hated life and all in it. Fate drags him into the company of undesirables and he narrowly escapes being the pray of a notorious woman when Clementina, detecting the plot, intervenes. At a dinner party given by Quixtus, Clementina is one of the guests. She had undergone a complete transformation. Instead of being the drab and dowdy genius she appears as a brilliant young woman in a ravishing costume. She bowls Quixtus over by his revelation of her charms. Will Hammersley, an old friend of Quixtus, dies and entrusts his little daughter to Clementina and Quixtus. At first Quixtus declines to accept the child because he had suspected Hammersley of friendliness wit his dead wife, but when his mistake becomes known he and Clementina take the little girl. The child awakens in Clementina all the sleeping instincts of wifehood and motherhood, with the result that she marries Quixtus and they accept Hammersley's child as their own.

September 8, 1922
GLORY OF CLEMENTINA Just gets by. Pauline Frederick's admirers, and they are legion, will be satisfied, but not enthusiastic. Pleased 60 per cent. Patronage: high class. Attendance, Fair. E.W. Collins, Grand THeatre, Jonesboro, Arkansas

November 4, 1922
GLORY OF CLEMENTINA Whew! what a "lemon" for us. Couldn't stand to look at it myself. Pleased mighty few. Pauline Frederick is good, but what a story!! Advertising: regular. Patronage: general. Attendance: poor. Jno W. Creamer, Strand Theater, Chilocothe, Missouri.

November 11, 1922
GLORY OF CLEMENTINA Candidly, this is the biggest piece of cheese anybody ever passed over on their gullible and unsuspecting public. If you fellows in the sticks wants something they will walk out on--even on a Sunday night--this's that! Advertising: twenty four, ones, 11x14s, etc. Patronage: best small town. Attendance: Sunday Night. W.E. Tragsdorf, Trags Theatre, Neilsville, Wisconsin.

November 25, 1922
GLORY OF CLEMENTINA Very draggy and tiresome. In my opinion it's time to shelve Pauline Frederick as a star. Advertising: regular. Patronage: average. Attendance: fair. Thos. K. Lancaster, Apollo Theatre, Gloucester, New Jersey.

December 2, 1922
GLORY OF CLEMENTINA This is an elaborately mounted, well produced picture with not much story to it and the stately Pauline Frederick, stalking about and smiling, had little to do. There are hundreds of better pictures. Ben L. Morris, Olympic Theatre, Bellaire, Ohio.

Last revised, September 16, 2005