The Church Mouse

Laura LaPlante is nearly forgotten now, but in the 20s and early 30s she was a big name in films. She made an easy transition to talkies and was a fine light actress as this film proves. LaPlante plays the title character, a mousy secretary who is all efficiency until she falls for her boss (Ian Hunter). Like so many other silent stars, LaPlante should have had a better and bigger career in 30s talkies. This cheapo production hinders but does not ruin her performance. This same story was previously filmed as Beauty and the Boss with Warren William and Marion Nixon, but this version is better. Laura LaPlante is probably best remembered now for starring in the first (and part-talkie) version of Show Boat and for playing Betty Hutton's mother in Spring Reunion.