- The College Widow (1927) is an American silent comedy film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. and directed by Archie Mayo. The film is based on the 1904 Broadway play by George Ade and was previously adapted to film in 1915 with Ethel Clayton. The 1927 silent film version is a starring vehicle for Dolores Costello.
- Following another instance of the perennial defeat of the Atwater College football team, President Witherspoon is told that unless better athletes can be induced to come to Atwater, he will be asked to resign. Acting upon the suggestion of Professor Jelicoe, Jane, the professor's beautiful daughter, uses her personal charm to draw noted football stars from neighboring schools by a series of ruses at a vacationing spot. Billy Bolton, son of a financial magnate, falls for Jane and to prove himself registers under another name and works his way through school, attaining scholastic and athletic honors. Through the jealousy of another girl, Billy learns of Jane's trickery and persuades the athletes not to play; Jane finds them at a notorious roadhouse, and, after explaining her father's position, wins them over, though she denounces Billy. His athletic prowess, however, wins the game for Atwater and the approval of his father and Jane.—Pamela Short
- Bingham 56 - Atwater O. Mournful Atwater students slowly push their way out of the stadium, their big game of the season has ended that way for twenty five years. Poor Jimsey Hopper, who three years ago made a wager not to shave until Atwater won, once more is compelled to put away his razor and pray that Atwater's luck changes before he becomes a candidate for the House of David. The students are not the only ones saddened by the defeat. At a meeting of the school trustees, President Witherspoon is told that unless better athletes can be induced to come to Atwater, he will be asked to resign. The progressive members of the board claim that the steady decline of the college finances and attendance is due to the poor showing of the football team. Witherspoon, however, is adamant in his belief that degrees should be won in a class room and not on the gridiron. School closes for the summer with Atwater's football outlook as dark as ever. Jane Witherspoon, the president's beautiful daughter, realizes that retirement would break her father's heart. Acting upon the suggestion of Professor Jelicoe, a professor at Atwater, Jane decides to use her personal appeal to charm famous athletes to the college. She learns where, a number of star football players are vacationing and thru a cleverly planned series of "accidents" gives each one a chance "to save her life", thereby becoming "the bravest man I've ever known". All the boys fall hard for the beautiful girl, registering for the full semester at Atwater under assumed names. Each one thinks he is her chosen one. Hiram Bolton, financial magnate, whose son, Billy, has been thrown out of the best universities in America, informs President Witherspoon that he will endow Atwater with a large trust fund if Billy receives a degree from Atwater that year. Witherspoon angrily replies that scholastic honors cannot be bought. Highly indignant, Bolton tells Witherspoon "to go cook a radish" - his son will go to Bingham and aid the rival college in licking daylights out of Atwater's football team. Witherspoon is instructed to tell Billy to report to Bingham when he arrives at Atwater. Billy arrives and on the way to the president's office stops to watch the football team practice. He sees Jane there and falls for her as all the other players have. Jane, pretending to be unaware or his identity, razzes Billy Bolton, the great football player, whose father has gone to Bingham "to buy the baby a college degree." Billy is at first greatly angered, but after thinking over the girl's words, smiles grimly, determining then and there to work his way thru college just to show "that little snip" he is not a baby. Bolton, under the name of "Jones", accomplishes the difficult task of earning money to pay his way thru college and winning scholastic honors in addition to his football activities. Bolton is deeply in love with Jane Witherspoon, as are all the other players. Atwater's all-star eleven piles up a brilliant record of victories and as the time draws near for the Bingham game, Atwater's chances seem brighter than ever before. Through the jealousy of another girl, Billy learns how Jane has tricked him into coming to Atwater. The night before the big games he tells the others of his discovery, and declares they have all been stupid, love-sick fools. He suggests they revenge themselves on the girl by refusing to play on the morrow. All the boys troop down to College Inn, a notorious road-house tabooed by President Witherspoon, and go on a glorious spree. Jane hears of this and arrives soon after "her" team. Explaining that she had not meant to make fools of them - that her seeming trickery was for the sake of her father, Jane's sweet sincerity once more brings the boys to Atwater, promising to play as they have never played before. The one exception is Billy Bolton, who upbraids Jane... "They'll be your playthings to the end, but I'm not on your string any more, as far as I'm concerned, you're the college widow! I've been a rummy and I know it." Jane is hurt beyond words by such a declaration from the boy she really loves, but angrily retorts "If you call earning the respect and admiration of the whole school by starring on the football team while working your way thru college, being a rummy, then you are one! I hate Billy Bolton.. though I had grown to love Bill Jones!" Billy is ashamed, but happy. Forgetting all about her fickleness and trickery, he yells "Bill Jones is going in tomorrow... even Billy Bolt on can't stop him." Hiram Bolton returns from a trip abroad and seeks his son at Bingham, only to be told that he is at Atwater under an assumed name. The elder Bolton angrily hurries to the stadium where the big game is in progress. He finds Witherspoon and threatens to drag his son out of the game by the ear if necessary. Jane manages to lock the blustering old man in one of the dressing rooms before he can accomplish his purpose. As the game proceeds, Bolton's rage changes to joy as he hears the stands wildly cheer "Jones" for his great playing. Atwater is victorious in a hard-fought game, with Billy the hero of the day. Jane sends Billy over to his father, who congratulates the girl on the good job she has done in changing Billy from an idler to a fighter. The young lovers duck behind the grand stand seats to avoid the stares of the crowd. A strange sight meets their eyes - Jimsey Hopper shaving the alfalfa from his face. Now it is Bingham's turn to go on a barber strike.
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What was the official certification given to The College Widow (1927) in the United Kingdom?
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