SUZANNA
Starring Mabel Normand
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE
July, 1923
It's hard to determine just what Mack Sennett was up to when
he put over this ancient bit of hokum. The Sennett responsible
for making light of timeworn material has fallen into the trap
and becomes an imitator of uninspired directors. He wrote the
story -- a story of a lowly peon girl who in reality is the daughter
of a Spanish don, but who was exchanged in the cradle at birth
for another. Ah there Mack! That's old stuff isn't it? The atmosphere
is pretty good and there is some Spanish paprika visible here
and there. But for the most part, it follows its familiar groove
without any of Sennett's characteristic kidding. Mabel Normand
is the peon and not a very colorful senorita either.
SUZANNA
Starring Mabel Normand
PICTURE PLAY MAGAZINE
July, 1923
I said the month had been rather shy of comedy. But I had forgotten "Suzanna" and "Safety Last." "Suzanna" is Mack Sennett's contribution to the history of early California, and Mack's only discovery seems to be that Spaniards and Indians lived there. Well, so far as I am concerned, that is enough, because I love a Sennett picture even when, as in the case of "Suzanna," it isn't Mack at his most glittering. And "Suzanna" stars Mabel Normand, the most gifted of all female comedians. All the young ingenues who are crowding into the movies ought to spend their spare evenings studying Mabel's acting instead of wasting their time on sewing circles and literary clubs.