Children of Divorce
Directed by Frank Lloyd 70 mins (1927)
Gary Cooper – Edward D. “Ted” Larrabee
A young flapper tricks her childhood sweetheart into marrying her. He really loves another woman, but didn’t marry her for fear the marriage would end in divorce, like his parents’. Complications ensue.
Also starring Clara Bow, Esther Ralston, Einar Hanson and Norman Trevor
James Hall was originally chosen to play the male lead in this silent movie, but the role was given to Gary Cooper at the insistence of star Clara Bow. The role helped to propel Cooper towards superstardom.
Maria’s Notes
Children of Divorce made in 1927, represented an early major learning curve in Gary Cooper's acting career.
A much publicized romance with the "IT "girl Clara Bow and himself had the gossip columns buzzing. In fact, it was she who helped him get the part in that film. It turned out to be a tough moment for my father as he was not used to playing the kind of character the role required - that of a fast talkin' society boy type, sophisticated and spoiled. It was a big jump from the "born in the saddle" western cowboy and his other smaller roles.
In one scene where he is supposed to be smartly drinking champagne with Clara Bow, he apparently spilled it all over her in 23 straight takes! Up tight and flustered, Cooper got himself fired and became very depressed thinking his acting career was over.
B.P. Schulberg, a major Associate Producer at Paramount, went to bat for my father, arranged to have him re-hired, and talked to his other leading lady, Ester Ralston, encouraging her to be extra kind to him. When a new director Josef von Sternberg was hired, things on set took a better turn, my father’s confidence returned and so the magic that emanated from Gary Cooper on screen become evident again.
The romance between him and Clara Bow ran its course. In fact, her way of life he found depressing but he remained fond of her and was grateful for her part in shaping his early Hollywood life.
Maria Cooper Janis