Summary
Ruth Ambrose, a whirlwind of modern sensibility portrayed with electric vitality by Viola Dana, descends upon the ironically named hamlet of Action, Maine, like a corrective force of nature. Finding lodging within the dusty, cobweb-laden confines of Israel Hubbard’s moribund furniture emporium, she encounters a microcosm of American provincialism—static, decaying, and resistant to the burgeoning pulse of the 1920s. When the curmudgeonly Hubbard yields the reins of his establishment to her, Ruth orchestrates a mercantile metamorphosis that borders on the miraculous. She doesn't merely sell armoires; she rehabilitates the town’s aesthetic soul. This commercial alchemy is mirrored by her burgeoning intimacy with Allan, the shopkeeper’s nephew, played with a steadying charm by Raymond McKee. The narrative transcends simple romance, operating as a sophisticated commentary on the 'New Woman's' capacity to revitalize failing patriarchal structures through sheer ebullience and economic acumen.
Synopsis
When young Ruth Ambrose (Viola Dana) arrives in Action, Maine, she rents a room above the furniture store of Israel Hubbard. After he leaves her in charge of the shop, her vivacious charm advances sales, producing a profitable business and Ruth soon begins a romantic relationship with the storekeeper's nephew, Allan (Raymond McKee).
Director
Cast
