Inhalt

A satirical look at the film business, at wheeling and dealing, stardom, careers and vanities. A young woman – living in the provinces, an acrobat’s daughter, hoping to flee everyday routine and parental control – dreams of a glittering career as an actress. To realise this dream, she would even be prepared to abandon her childhood sweetheart. But when she is to be married off another man, she finally decides to go to Hollywood ... As was normal for the silent movies of the 1920s, the plot here teems with intrigue, mix-ups, spectacular failures, wild chases and stunts (which were performed by the stars themselves, male and female alike). Mabel Normand shows her force of personality and wit: she is the loving but rebellious daughter, the initially unlucky careerwoman and, ultimately, the revengeful woman. Originally made in 1921/22, Extra Girl got its late premier in 1923 due to a scandal that occurred during shooting, namely, Mabel received injuries when fighting a lion, an incident that led to bad press and legal wrangles.