Why Be Good? | 1929 | Romantic Comedy

Title: Why Be Good? | 1929 | Romantic Comedy Director: William A. Seiter Studio: First National Pictures Starring: Colleen Moore, Neil Hamilton, Lawrence Gray, Harry Shannon, Hallam Cooley, Mary Alden, Joan Standing Based on: Original screenplay by Adele Buffington and Howard J. Green Release Date: February 28 1929 Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes Format: Silent with synchronized Vitaphone music and effects Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Romantic Comedy --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction of Teddy and Tony’s breakfast 00:10:00 Dance hall challenge and modern manners 00:20:00 Flirtations and moral debates 00:30:00 Teddy and Tony’s evolving friendship 00:45:00 Jealousy at the party 00:55:00 Dance contest and tests of character 01:10:00 Resolution and romantic choice --- Summary: Why Be Good? is a 1929 American silent romantic comedy featuring Colleen Moore as Teddy Simpson, a spirited young flapper who defies conventional morality and embraces modern independence. When her friend Tony Harmon challenges her views on personal conduct and social freedom, a playful rivalry unfolds centered on dancing, dating, and whether rules of courtship should apply to men and women equally. The narrative blends humor, contemporary Jazz Age attitudes, and physical comedy as Teddy navigates flirtations, contests, and the contrasts between traditional expectations and modern behavior. Tony’s persistent yet respectful courtship ultimately leads both characters to reassess their assumptions about love, respect, and partnership. --- Background: Directed by William A. Seiter and released by First National Pictures with a Vitaphone soundtrack of music and effects, Why Be Good? showcased Colleen Moore at the height of her popularity as a screen embodiment of the flapper era. The film embodied the cultural debates of the late 1920s about gender roles, etiquette, and the social freedoms of youth. The synchronized score and effects enhanced the visual comedy during the transitional period from silent film to sound. --- Trivia: Why Be Good? was among the early features to use the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system for music and effects without spoken dialogue. The film highlights Jazz Age dance styles and contemporary fashions, making it a visual record of late 1920s youth culture. Colleen Moore’s performance helped solidify her image as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses of the flapper era. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: February 28 1929 Original Studio / Distributor: First National Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #WhyBeGood #ColleenMoore #1929Film #SilentComedy #RomanticComedy #FlapperFilm #Vitaphone #PublicDomain