Miss Lulu Bett 1921

     This is a sepia toned American silent film based on a 1920 play and the bestselling novel by Zona Gale.  Lulu is a very timid young woman and she lives with her married sister.  Their town is a boring Midwestern town and Lulu is an exploited household drudge.  Her brother-in-law Dwight Deacon is overbearing and Lulu never sits down at the table with the family.  She always eats her cold meal after they have finished.   The family also includes Lulu and Ina’s mother and Ina’s daughter Diana.  Ninian is Dwight’s brother and he has been traveling the world.  He stops by the house for a visit.  He invites Lulu to come to the city for dinner with him.  Of course, Ina and Dwight must tag along.  On the spur of the moment, Ninian asks Lulu to marry him!!  He has seen how she is treated and how hard she works for the family without any thanks.  Dwight is able to perform marriages as a Justice of the Peace and they marry right there at the table in the restaurant.

     Everyone in town is shocked to hear about the marriage!!  Now Ina and her mother either have to cook and clean or they have to let things go which they do.  They want Lulu back and they miss everything she has been doing for them.  There were no modern conveniences at this time period.  Everything had to be done by a hand and with LOT of work!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie) 

71 min Drama directed by William C. de Mille with Lois Wilson, Milton Sills, Theodore Roberts, Helen Ferguson, Mabel Van Buren, Mae Giraci, Clarence Burton, Ethel Wales, Taylor Graves, Charles Ogle, Peaches Jackson, Carrie Clark Ward. 
  
Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 6 reviews, TCM user rating 3.5* out of 5*.

Special Note:  The premier of the play was on December 27, 1921.  It ran for 198 performances and won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1921.  In 2001, this film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for cultural, historical or aesthetic significance.