When Mary MacLaren was spotted by director Lois Weber standing
with a group of extras, she never realised what a life changing event
it would be. As Mary recalled, she often walked to the Universal Studios
to save bus fare and one day Weber came across her looking pretty
bedraggled, looked down at her feet and exclaimed "Shoes"!! - Mary
didn't know what she meant!! Lois' husband Phillips Smalley recognized
her from small roles in "Where Are My Children" etc, he started to
tell her about a story they had found in "Colliers" magazine and gave it
to her to read. By being cast in "Shoes" Mary was elevated from extra to
leading lady and Weber had nothing but praise for her, saying "she was
the luckiest find I ever made". She also told the "Motion Picture World"
that "when the movie was run, everyone in the room fell in love with
her. She was only 16 but is the most sensitive and intelligent girl I've
ever directed".
Mary MacLaren was an amazing find, she was a natural actress in the Mae Marsh tradition. She was a standout as Eva, the breadwinner of a poverty stricken family in which the father sat about and read magazines all day. She is desperate for a pair of shoes to replace the ones which have been worn threadbare in her daily struggle. Every night she cuts out cardboard soles, careful that she doesn't strain the already worn out leather. Then comes a week of rain - not only are Eva's shoes wrecked but she soon becomes seriously ill because of standing around in wet shoes all day. She is praying for the day when her mother can give her money for shoes but week after week she is disappointed. She becomes desperate.... Meanwhile her friend from the notions counter is enjoying a very different life because she is free with her favours. Her man of the moment - a sleazy cabaret singer has his eye on Eva and invites her to "The Blue Goose"....
Directed with Weber's style and attention to detail, the viewer experiences the poverty and desolateness first hand, the end scene is particularly chilling. The scene where Eva just about to go out on that fateful night, and views herself through a cracked mirror.
Weber's predictions of Mary's stardom came true but she performed best under Weber's guidance - without her Mary was reviewed harshly by critics. Lacks personality, acts mechanically, lack of beauty and never smiles were some of the comments. Who would smile having to read those reviews!! Unfortunately her older sister wanted a career and also took over the management of Mary's with disastrous results. Still Mary could always point with pride to her career highlight of "Shoes".
Very Recommended.
Mary MacLaren was an amazing find, she was a natural actress in the Mae Marsh tradition. She was a standout as Eva, the breadwinner of a poverty stricken family in which the father sat about and read magazines all day. She is desperate for a pair of shoes to replace the ones which have been worn threadbare in her daily struggle. Every night she cuts out cardboard soles, careful that she doesn't strain the already worn out leather. Then comes a week of rain - not only are Eva's shoes wrecked but she soon becomes seriously ill because of standing around in wet shoes all day. She is praying for the day when her mother can give her money for shoes but week after week she is disappointed. She becomes desperate.... Meanwhile her friend from the notions counter is enjoying a very different life because she is free with her favours. Her man of the moment - a sleazy cabaret singer has his eye on Eva and invites her to "The Blue Goose"....
Directed with Weber's style and attention to detail, the viewer experiences the poverty and desolateness first hand, the end scene is particularly chilling. The scene where Eva just about to go out on that fateful night, and views herself through a cracked mirror.
Weber's predictions of Mary's stardom came true but she performed best under Weber's guidance - without her Mary was reviewed harshly by critics. Lacks personality, acts mechanically, lack of beauty and never smiles were some of the comments. Who would smile having to read those reviews!! Unfortunately her older sister wanted a career and also took over the management of Mary's with disastrous results. Still Mary could always point with pride to her career highlight of "Shoes".
Very Recommended.