Bessie Love shines in a cute fantasy short film

The Little Knight (aka "The Adventures of Prince Coraguous: The Litte Knight") (1923)

Starring: Bessie Love, Arthur Trimble, Monte Collins, and Charles Belcher

Directors: Fred Becker and Charles R. Seeling

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A wandering knight (Belcher) is cursed by an evil witch to appear to all who see him as a little boy (Trimble). He soon meets and falls in love with Princess Bernice (Love) who is being forced into an arranged marriage with the cowardly, villainous Duke Craven (Collins). Will our hero overcome his curse, rescue the damsel in distress, and win her heart?  

"The Little Knight" is a fun fantasy short film that was intended to be the first in a 12-part series meant primarily as a vehicle for child actor Arthur Trimble (and produced by a film company bearing his name). Ultimately, only three were finished and released. 

Sharing top billing with Trimble was Bessie Love who in 1923 was near the top of her all-too-brief stint as a Hollywood superstar. While everyone else in the picture can be described giving adequate performances, Love is as attention-commanding as ever when she's on screen. Only Monte Collins comes close to rivaling her in being remarkable as he hams it up as the film's main bad guy. But, Love's cuteness, if not her acting skills, are eclipsed by Little Arthur Trimble; it's easy to see why he was tapped for child-stardom. 

A few plot threads are left dangling when "The End" flashes on the screen, but what we have is still basically a complete story. If you like classic fantasy and can get past the opening swordfight with the world's smallest giant, I think you'll find the 16-minutes you'll devote to watching "The Little Knight" time well spent.

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