On 19 Jan 1923, Var announced that Warner Bros. Pictures had acquired motion picture rights to the John L. Hobble play, Daddies: A Comedy in Four Acts, which had been successfully produced on stage by David Belasco. An Aug 1923—Jan 1924 Motion Picture Magazine item stated that Harry Beaumont had been hired to direct, and would begin production following the completion of The Gold Diggers (1923, see entry). The 18 Aug 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review announced the casting of Mae Marsh, in what was considered her first starring role. The following day, FD reported that Beaumont had been replaced by William A. Seiter.
       A 24 Sep 1923 FD news item indicated that filming was scheduled to begin once casting had been completed. The 13 Oct 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review indicated that actor Monte Blue left the production to pursue a leading role in The Marriage Circle (1924, see entry). Harry Myers, who was originally signed to play “Henry Allen,” was promoted as Blue’s replacement, and Willard Louis assumed Myers’s former role.
       Daddies opened at the Strand Theatre in New York City, and the Rialto Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. While the 21 Feb 1924 Var reported that the film “failed to click” with New York City audiences, the 4 Jun 1924 issue reported that the Rialto earned “fair” business, with a weekly gross of $3,800. ...