Public Domain Movies

Coquette is a 1929 American pre-Code drama film directed by Sam Taylor and starring Mary Pickford, who won the second Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.

Norma Besant, daughter of a Southern doctor, is an incorrigible flirt and has many suitors. Her father Dr. Besant favors Stanley, who is taken with Norma. However, Norma has met a simple man named Michael Jeffrey with whom she has fallen madly in love. Dr. Besant disapproves and orders Norma to never see Michael again. Norma agrees but then promptly plans to marry Michael in six months if he can earn enough money in the hills to afford to buy them a home in the valley. A few months pass and Michael emerges from the hills to see Norma at a country-club dance. Wanting more time alone, they sneak off to Michael's mother's cabin. She returns home early the next day, but someone has spotted the couple and begun to spread rumors around town that threaten to destroy Norma's reputation. Michael is furious and vows that he will ask Norman's father for her hand in marriage immediately.

Dr. Besant is furious with Michael and a heated verbal exchange ensues. Michael leaves and vows to marry Norma as soon as possible, but Dr. Besant orders Norma to her room and leaves in search of Michael, pistol in hand. As Norma's brother tries to distract her, Stanley arrives, informing her that her father has shot Michael. Norma runs to Michael's cabin, where he dies in her arms. Dr. Besant's lawyer friend arrives and beseeches Norma to lie to the police to save her father's life. Norma refuses, but later as the trial progresses, she changes her mind. On the stand, she lies about Michael, trying to save her father. She withers under cross examination and Dr. Besant comforts her on the witness stand, telling her she does not have to lie any more. However, when Dr. Besant spots the gun on the evidence table, he confesses his guilt, expressing his willingness to pay the price for his crime. He grabs the gun and shoots himself in front of the court.

Stanley is waiting for Norma, who has been in the judge's chambers. He offers to walk her home, but Norma refuses, saying that she would prefer to walk alone.

Cast
Mary Pickford as Norma Besant
Johnny Mack Brown as Michael Jeffery
Matt Moore as Stanley Wentworth
John St. Polis as Dr. John Besant
William Janney as Jimmy Besant
Henry Kolker as Jasper Carter
George Irving as Robert Wentworth
Louise Beavers as Julia