Name: Coquette Director: Sam Taylor Studio: Warner Bros. Starring: Mary Pickford, Johnny Mack Brown, Ricardo Cortez, Louise Dresser Release Date: April 19, 1929 (USA) Runtime: \~92 minutes Format: Black-and-white, sound film Country: United States Language: English Genres: | Drama | Romance | Musical | Early Sound Film --- Summary: *Coquette* (1929) is a romantic drama and early talking picture starring Mary Pickford in her first sound film role. The story follows Norma Besant (Pickford), a young Southern woman whose flirtatious and independent nature causes tension in her relationships and ultimately leads to tragedy. Balancing societal expectations with personal desires, Norma navigates love, jealousy, and family obligations, highlighting the pressures faced by women in the 1920s. The film features music and dialogue integral to the narrative, marking Pickford’s successful transition from silent stardom to sound cinema. --- Background: Directed by Sam Taylor and produced by Warner Bros., *Coquette* was adapted from the 1927 Broadway play of the same name. It was a landmark film in Mary Pickford’s career, as she embraced the new sound technology after decades as the “Queen of Silent Film.” The production reflected the industry-wide transition to sound, incorporating musical numbers and synchronized dialogue, and it also explored more mature themes than Pickford’s earlier work. The film won Pickford the Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her legacy in both silent and sound eras. --- Trivia: * Mary Pickford won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, the only Oscar she received in her career. * *Coquette* was Pickford’s first talking picture, marking a major career milestone. * The film includes one of the earliest uses of synchronized sound for musical sequences in Hollywood. * Louise Dresser, who played Norma’s mother, was a seasoned character actress, adding depth to the family dynamics. --- Hashtags: \#Coquette1929 #MaryPickford #SamTaylor #EarlyTalkies #ClassicHollywood #AcademyAward #WarnerBros #RomanceDrama #FilmHistory