The Flapper (1920 American Silent Comedy film)

The Flapper is a 1920 American silent comedy film starring Olive Thomas. Directed by Alan Crosland, the film was the first in the United States to portray the "flapper" lifestyle, which became a cultural craze or fad in the 1920s.

Plot
Sixteen-year-old Genevieve 'Ginger' King (Thomas) is living in a very wealthy family in the boring town of Orange Springs, Florida with her younger siblings, where her unchaperoned decision to drink a soda with a young male is considered scandalous. Because of her questionable behavior and yearning for a more excitable life, Ginger's father decides to send her to a boarding school in Lake Placid, New York. Mrs. Paddles' School for Young Ladies is administered by the strict disciplinarian, Mrs. Paddles (Marcia Harris).

Despite the strictness there, the girls have fun getting into flapper-lifestyle trouble including flirting. Richard Channing (William P. Carleton), an older man, rides past the seminary every day, prompting romantic fantasies among the schoolgirls.

Cast
Olive Thomas as Ginger King
Warren Cook as Senator King
Theodore Westman, Jr. as Bill Forbes
Katherine Johnston as Hortense
Arthur Housman as Tom Morran
Louise Lindroth as Elmina Buttons
Charles Craig as Reverend Cushil
William P. Carleton as Richard Channing
Marcia Harris as Mrs. Paddles
Bobby Connelly as King, Jr.
Athole Shearer as Extra (uncredited)
Norma Shearer as Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Production notes
Frances Marion wrote the screenplay, which is credited with popularizing the slang term “flapper” throughout the United States in the 1920s.
Olive Thomas appeared in only two films after The Flapper. She died in Paris in September 1920.

Reception
The Film Daily gave it an overall positive review on May 23, 1920, praising the acting of Olive Thomas. Its main criticism was regarding the editing and the conclusion of the film, writing that the story was "cleverly written with many amusing situations, but latter reels should be compressed".