The Alice Howell Collection #7, “Distilled Love” (1920) – reviewed by George

“Alice Howell and her husband Dick Smith left the Century Film Co. in late 1919. They signed with the Emerald Film Co. and brought with them an unreleased film from Century/L-Ko. This came out as the new series’ debut, “Distilled Love”. It was likely shot in 1918, due to the presence of Oliver Hardy. as he briefly worked for the Stern Brothers that year.”
The film’s first slide reads: “The dawn of peace in No Man’s Land – in the trenches with a week’s rations ahead.”
Moving from war to peace so abruptly is a bit of a shock fro most people, and the adjustment does not have much time. Most of the action takes place on or near a family farm (with some members missing – killed in the war). And the milkmaid (Alice Howell) can at last be a little more honest about being in love with the one-eyed painter (Dick, or Richard, Smith) who has been camping out on the property. And other characters (including one played by Oliver Hardy) can begin the adjustment too. This is not quite a short, but almost a full-length film, and so has a fuller plot. As in life, there’s sadness and laughter, and the film held my interest well, and it is Recommended, even if all you want is a chance to see Oliver Hardy younger.
Directed by Dick Smith & Vin Moore.