Griffith was efficient when he filmed what turned out to be Clarine Seymour's final completed movie in April 1920's "The Idol Dancer," where the late actress served as the female lead. Using the backdrops of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas, the director was fulfilling his movie contract with First National by tackling two tropical-based films, "The Idol Dancer" and "The Love Flower."
The later movie starred Griffith's up-and-coming favorite actress, Carol Dempster. Very few people could see the reasoning behind the director's favorability on what critics felt was the young actress' limited talent. A 15-year-older in 'Intolerance' as a harem girl, Dempster slowly emerged as Griffith's primary actress in his early 1920's films. "The Love Flower" was her second co-starring role as a step-daughter of a father who murdered his wife's lover. They both escape on a boat to South Pacific Island, where they're chased down by a persistent detective.
Some praised Dempster for her action sequences, but others complained she was a poor imitation of the Gish sisters as well as veteran Mae Marsh. Such criticism failed to dissuade Griffith from rejecting her and overall "The Love Flower." In fact, he enjoyed the film so much after seeing the reaction of the audience during its premier, he bought the motion picture for $400,000, a considerable amount, from First National for his United Artists' distribution.
The later movie starred Griffith's up-and-coming favorite actress, Carol Dempster. Very few people could see the reasoning behind the director's favorability on what critics felt was the young actress' limited talent. A 15-year-older in 'Intolerance' as a harem girl, Dempster slowly emerged as Griffith's primary actress in his early 1920's films. "The Love Flower" was her second co-starring role as a step-daughter of a father who murdered his wife's lover. They both escape on a boat to South Pacific Island, where they're chased down by a persistent detective.
Some praised Dempster for her action sequences, but others complained she was a poor imitation of the Gish sisters as well as veteran Mae Marsh. Such criticism failed to dissuade Griffith from rejecting her and overall "The Love Flower." In fact, he enjoyed the film so much after seeing the reaction of the audience during its premier, he bought the motion picture for $400,000, a considerable amount, from First National for his United Artists' distribution.