Pernas e Parvos

'Ankles Preferred' is, as one might expect from its title, a frothy comedy. More unexpectedly, the entire film seems to cater for foot-fetishists. Madge Bellamy's attractive face and figure are prominently featured throughout this movie ... yet the opening shot is a close-up of her trim ankles, and her feet -- more specifically, the sexual attractions of her feet -- are emphasised throughout the flimsy storyline.

Bellamy portrays a model who is employed by couturiers Goldberg & McGuire. There is some very dated and embarrassing comedy centred on the contrast between these two ethnic stereotypes, the Jew and the Irishman ... as well as the fact that they own a haut-couture boutique: hardly the sort of establishment which conforms to the working-class stereotypes of these two ethnic groups. Bellamy is paid to cavort in the shopfront window, attracting the attention of male passers-by ... and the window display screens off her upper body, so as to emphasise her feet. This would make sense if Goldberg & McGuire were running a shoe shop, rather than a boutique.

Handsome Lawrence Gray portrays the male romantic lead, with the unfortunate name Barney. Barry Norton, rather less handsome, is the villain who traduces and seduces the poor working girl. I'll rate this 3 points out of 10. It's very, very, very dated stuff ... but the running emphasis on the leading lady's feet is astonishing and unusual.