The Plastic Age

A 1925 American silent romantic comedy directed by Wesley Ruggles, starring Clara Bow, Donald Keith, and Gilbert Roland. Based on Percy Marks's best-selling 1924 novel about college life at a fictional "Sanford College," the film follows Hugh Carver, a freshman and championship runner who falls for Cynthia Day (Bow), a popular party girl, and finds it impossible to please her while keeping up with his studies and athletic training. The Plastic Age was Clara Bow's first major hit and helped jumpstart her meteoric rise to stardom. The film features early uncredited appearances by Clark Gable, Janet Gaynor, and Carole Lombard.