Marceline Day and Ramon Novarro
Directed by Hobart Henley, Edmund Goulding (uncredited)
Written by Donna Barrell, Bela Sekely
Based on "Bellamy the Magnificent" by Roy Horniman
Starring Ramon Novarro, Marceline Day
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date May 19, 1928
Running time 58 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent, English intertitles
We have included this film in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of our star Marceline Day.
"A Certain Young Man" is a classic romantic comedy. Silent Era lists this film as "survival status: unknown". It is not available for viewing, so we have to rely on newspaper articles from the 1920ies. If you have any information about a surviving copy of the film please let us know.
Here are just a few of the reviews for this film:
A COCKTAIL OF ROMANCE.
In his newest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring vehicle, "A Certain Young Man" Ramon Novarro, the star of "Ben Hur" appears with a moustache and monocle, attired in the very height of London fashion. But after he meets the right girl he discards his former life in its entirety. A real love story develops, as charmingly romantic as any he has ever appeared in, and all done in an ultra-modern vein. Elaborate reproductions of London town houses, Bond Street shops, the gorgeous pavilion at Biarritz, and other colorful backgrounds were elaborately constructed for the new picture, one of the most ambitious Novarro vehicles of the present season.
The cast assembled for "A Certain Young Man" is particularly worthy of note. Opposite the star, pretty and talented Marceline Day gives a most appealing performance. It will be recalled that she was Novarro's leading lady in "The Road to Romance", and most people thought this couple ideally matched. Then there are Renée Adoree, and Carmel Myers, who play the role of sirens and they are fascinating! Bert Roach, as a trusting husband, provides the right amount of comedy relief for this sparkling cocktail of romance.( Northern Argus)
Novarro in a modern dress suit proves even more romantic than in a uniform and will probably make the modern flappers' hearts throb at an even livelier rate than lie did in his famous costume pictures.(Mirror)
... a bored youth who is pursued relentlessly by a flock of feminine admirers... he falls for the charms of a particularly pretty young thing whose sincerity and wholesomeness are as alluring as the make-believe tactics of the others are false. (Motion Picture World)
Picture patrons should find "A Certain Young Man" much to their liking. It is a light story, with plenty of mirth, and holds the attention from start to finish. The picture concerns the adventures of Lord Gerald Brinsley, a young English nobleman. London society regards him as the most handsome and eligible of males. "A Certain Young Man" is a romance with Ramon Novarro the center of a swirl of fashionable admirers, and even when he meets the right girl complications ensue which provide a touch of drama and a most unexpected, though fortunate ending.
Marceline Day appears opposite the star as leading lady, and, as usual, acquits herself with the highest honors. (Evening Post)
Click to enlarge:
Marceline Day and Ramon Novarro