Reviews

Raoul Melnotte ( Ricardo Cortez ) returns from Chicago to the French town of his birth in search of Marie Dufrayne ( Greta Nissen ), the sweetheart of his college days, disappointed to find that she has become a wealthy social climber in search of a titled husband. Raoul proposes to Marie, but she turns him down when she discovers that he is only a businessman. In league with her other two rejected suitors, Raoul decides to masquerade as a prince, only revealing his true identity after they are married. Learning that she has married a common businessman, Marie at first is overcome with anger, but true love wins out in the end, and she and Raoul settle down to a happy married life.

This 1925 comedy/romance was based on the novel, The Lady of Lyons by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton. The film was produced by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and starred Norwegian born actress Greta Nissen. Sadly it now remains a lost silent.

This elaborate costume drama/romance, filmed on magnificent sets, was based on a novel and boasted many popular stars of silent cinema. It was produced by Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and released on October 28 1923. Tragically it now remains a lost film and all I can offer the reader is a brief synopsis.

King Philip of Spain ( Sam De Grasse ), jealous of the popularity of his brother, Don John ( Edmund Lowe ), sends him to fight the Moors, hoping that will be his demise. Don John is in love with beautiful Dolores Mendoza ( Blanche Sweet ), daughter of General Mendoza ( Hobart Bosworth ), but Mendoza discourages Dolores, knowing that if Don John does return, he is to marry the Queen of England's sister. Don John returns triumphantly, but in a quarrel over a secret letter, the king wounds Don John with his sword and leaves him for dead. When Mendoza takes the blame, Dolores, who was nearby and knows that the king is guilty, tells the court she had been dishonoured by Don John--thus the reason for her father's wrath. Then Dolores threatens the king that she will tell the truth to his subjects unless her father is pardoned. Don John recovers, the king pardons Mendoza, and Dolores marries her sweetheart.

Flirtatious and pampered daughter of a wealthy contractor, Ann Jordan ( Marguerite De La Motte ) is engaged to Robert Metcalf ( Harold Goodwin ), a laid-back and boring young man. She then meets Frank Oaks ( Allan Sears ), who aggressively sweeps her off her feet, and she is presently engaged to him also. Mr. Jordan ( Will Walling ), Ann's father, becomes interested in one of Robert's friends, Jack Gardner ( Allan Forrest ), an engineer who is preparing a design for a bridge competition. The elder Jordan invites Jack to the house and secretly copies Jack's plans for the bridge. Ann falls in love with Jack, who is eligible and seemingly nonchalant; Jack is too reserved to declare his love, so Ann is forced to propose to him, and Jack accepts. Jack's plan for the bridge wins the competition, but in Jordan's name rather than his own. Jack breaks off with Ann, believing that she has professed love for him only to help her father steal his plans. Jack and Ann are reconciled, however, when her father explains that he prevented Jack from winning the competition only to be sure that Jack was free to accept an extremely important position with the Jordan firm.

Produced by the Fox Film Corporation, this 1924 drama/romance, sadly remains a lost silent film.

This 1926 light-hearted comedy/romance distributed by Arrow Pictures Corporation, starred the popular actress Marjorie Daw. Sadly it now remains a lost silent film and this brief synopsis is all I can offer the reader.

Penniless society girl Mildred Grantley ( Marjorie Daw ), who wants to be an actress, passes herself off as the Countess D'Autreval ( Marjorie Daw ). Through a mutual friend, Mildred gets to know the wealthy Dean family, falling in love with Philip Dean ( Niles Welch ), a handsome young bachelor. A woman claiming to be the real countess shows up and persuades Mildred to introduce her to the Deans. Mrs. Dean smells a rat, however, and hires a detective who exposes the woman as a famous international crook. The honest-to-goodness countess finally shows up, and Mildred and Philip finally find happiness together in true love.

At a party thrown by millionaire Max Goldberg ( George B. Williams ), Charles Howard ( Thomas Holding ), an aristocratic young artist, capitulate to the glamour of chorus girl Lita O'Farrell ( Carmel Myers ), Goldberg's erstwhile girl friend. After a whirlwind courtship, the two marry and then their incompatibilities begin to surface. Howard's cold, superior attitude drives Lila back to Goldberg's crowd, where Howard finds her. Confronted by Howard with the accusation of wife stealing, Goldberg turns the tables by lecturing to the artist about the right way to treat one's wife. Fully humiliated., Howard now begs Lita's forgiveness and the two are happily reconciled.

This 1920 drama was produced by Universal Film and starred the beautiful actress Carmel Myers. Sadly it now remains a lost silent film.

While in India, Rosamond English ( Elsie Ferguson ) learns that her husband Capt. Harry English ( Wyndham Standing ) has been killed in battle. After a time, she marries Sir Arthur Gerardine ( Clarence Handyside ) but is unable to forget her first husband, and gradually her love for him is rekindled, especially when she contrasts him to the pompous and elderly Sir Arthur. Rosamond returns to England to assist Lieut. Belhune ( Percy Marmont )in writing a biography of Capt. English, however, this only serves to increase her mental anguish. When Sir Arthur arrives with his Indian servant, he notices a decline in his wife's condition. After spending a day reading the captain's diary, in which he remarked that food and water were scarce, she comes to the dinner table terribly distracted. The sight of the plentiful supply of food and water makes her hysterical, and she is confined to her bed. In her delirium, Rosamond requests that the Indian servant pray for Capt. Harry's return, and the prayer is answered when the servant reveals himself to be the Captain in disguise. Rosamond is healed and Sir Arthur departs.

This intriguing drama was based on the novels of Agnes and Egerton Castle and filmed by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Artcraft Pictures. It was directed by French film director and screenwriter, Maurice Tourneur and starred the beautiful stage and film actress, Elsie Ferguson. The loss of this film is a tragic one for fans of silent cinema.

Donna Angela Chiaromonte's ( Viola Allen) father, a prince, is tragically killed in an auto accident, her double-crossing aunt, who desires Angela's sweetheart, Lieutenant Giovanni Severi ( Richard C. Travers ), burns the Prince's will. Because Angela is without legal status, due to the fact that the Prince was not married in a civil ceremony, her aunt inherits everything. When Giovanni is ordered to fight in Egypt, Angela, now living with a former nurse in a cottage, convinces him not to resign, she vows to wait for him. After she hears that Giovanni died in battle, heartbroken Angela joins the Convent of the White Sisters. Five years later, Giovanni, who actually had been captured and enslaved by savages, returns and tries to get Angela to renounce her vows, but she refuses. After Giovanni is badly wounded when a storage of ammunition explodes, he refuses to allow a doctor to amputate his arm to save his life. A sympathetic Monseigneur ( Thomas Commerford ), seeing the frustrated love, obtains a special dispensation from the pope for Angela to leave the sisterhood. Giovanni then agrees to the operation, and the lovers are reunited.

This 1915 drama was based on a 1909 play starring Viola Allen who also made her movie debut in this film version by the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. Tragically it remains a lost silent film.

This 1923 melodrama was produced by Universal Pictures and presented by Carl Laemmle. Sadly the status of this film is listed as unknown, and all I can provide the reader is this brief synopsis. Hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces for fans of silent cinema.

When Sam Bass ( Frank Mayo ) receives a summons to testify before a grand jury, he does not realize that the matter concerns sheep-stealing and assumes it to concern the murder of his brother, Will ( Philo McCullough ). Conscience-stricken, Sam relates a long tale about how Will had framed him for bank robbery, then blackmailed him. Sam further confesses that he killed Will in a fight. However, the jury is sympathetic and refuses to indict Sam. The next witness is Will, very much alive, who is eventually convicted of both sheep-stealing and blackmail.

This comedy produced by Metro Pictures Corporation, starred popular silent actress Viola Dana and actor Allan Forrest. It now sadly remains a lost film and all I can provide the reader is this brief synopsis.

Only wed six months and young bride Helen Blake ( Viola Dana ), is unduly jealous of husband Richard ( Allan Forrest ). She is especially suspicious of pretty Alma Lane ( Winifred Bryson ), hired to decorate the Blake home. Various incidents arise to fan the flame of Helen's jealousy. She threatens to divorce Richard after finding him in a seemingly compromising position with Alma is the final straw. But when Alma's fiancé arrives, and explains everything satisfactorily, Helen and Richard are happily reconciled.

His heartless disregard for others costs shipping magnate Daniel Gaynor ( Edmund Breese ) his sweetheart, Mary Alden ( Ormi Hawley ). Then, continuing his thoughtlessness, he refuses to give a raise to Richard Grant ( Clifford B. Gray ), who needs the money to care for his sick grandmother. Richard becomes desperate and steals company funds and tells his wife Bessie ( Evelyn Brent ), who is Mary's daughter, that he did indeed get the raise. When evidence mounts against Richard, Daniel decides to confront him. At Richard's house, he meets Bessie, who thanks him profusely for the raise and then says that, because of his kindness, she and Richard have decided to name their child after him. Daniel suddenly realizes that he had lost the capacity to show compassion for other people, so he calls off the investigation of Richard and then goes back to Mary, determined to start over.

This 1916 drama was produced by the short lived Popular Plays and Players Inc. Sadly it remains a lost silent film.

Apprenticing for Fogarty ( Bud Jamison ) , an Irish plumber, Jake Schwartz ( Jess Devorska ) is forced to support his widowed mother on the measly sum of twelve dollars a week. He hopes eventually to be able to marry and support Sarah Levine ( Sharon Lynn ), who supports her entire family by working in a garment factory. While on his way to work, Jake notices the careening automobile of Mrs. Sam Levis ( Carol Halloway ), wife of a retired manufacturer, who is subject to fainting spells; mistaking her falling arm as an invitation to ride, he hops in the front seat. Finding her unconscious, he takes the wheel and drives to his shop. Sarah, who has seen him from a streetcar, gives him the cold shoulder, plunging Jake into depression, but Jake's mother and Mrs. Levis straighten out matters. All go as guests of Mr. Levis ( William H. Tooker ) to the races. When Levis' jockey is discovered drugged, Jake agrees to ride in the race, and he wins by default. Three years later, Jake is found to be happily married to Sarah and the father of two children.

This 1927 comedy was produced by the Robertson-Cole Pictures Corporation and now sadly remains a lost silent film.

Well to do society girl Ann Wesley ( Evelyn Nesbit ), is loved by Bart Andrews ( Crauford Kent ), who disapproves of her frivolity and believes that she conceals a better self within her personality. Her fortune is lost in a stock market panic, and she retires to live quietly at a settlement in the Adirondacks. There her unconventionality provokes the wrath of Iron MacLoid ( Murdock MacQuarrie ), the local reformer. Soon, Ann becomes friends with little Johnny Randolph ( Russell Thaw ), whose father is an alcoholic and unknown to her, Bart follows and watches over her every movement. While in the woods with Johnny, Ann is attacked by Bill Donovan ( Albert Hart ), but Johnny comes to her aid and whips Donovan in a fight. After effecting the regeneration of the father and reuniting him with his wife, Ann proves her worth and Bart makes his appearance to claim her.

This 1922 drama was directed by Allan Dwan and produced by the Nanuet Amusement Corporation. It starred Evelyn Nesbit in what would be her last film. Interestingly, her son Russell Thaw played the part of Johnny Randolph, in this tragically lost silent film.

Young society woman and aviatrix Prudence Thorne ( Billie Burke ), is forbidden to continue flying by her fiancé Hewitt Harland ( Percy Marmont ) and her father. The rebellious Prudence stages her own kidnapping, but Hewitt discovers the scheme and arranges a real abduction to teach her a lesson. His plan backfires, and the kidnappers rob him and capture Prudence. In order to save herself, Prudence pretends to join the gang. In an attempted robbery of Hewitt's house, the police surprise the gangsters, but Prudence escapes to her own house where she is reunited with her family and fiancé. Hewitt and her father, in their relief at Prudence's homecoming, weaken and allow her to continue her aeronautical pursuits.

This 1920 comedy produced by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and starring the delightful actress Billie Burke, is sadly now listed as unknown. Hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces for fans of silent cinema.

Soon after innocent young convent girl Barbara Martin ( Ethel Clayton ), elopes with her guardian's unscrupulous brother, Barton Sedgewick ( Boyd Irwin ), she discovers that Barton already has a wife and child. Barton then deserts both wives, leaving Barbara to turn to her guardian George Sedgewick ( C. H. Geldart ) for advice. George advises an immediate divorce, but Barbara takes no action until she meets John Brent ( Harrison Ford ) and falls in love. Upon requesting that George arrange her divorce from Barton, Barbara discovers that John is her guardian's lawyer. Panicked for fear of John discovering her marriage, Barbara's quandary is resolved when she discovers Barton with his mistress. Through Barton's carelessness, Barbara is able to obtain documents which prove that his first marriage was valid, thereby nullifying their marriage, thus freeing her to marry John.

This 1920 drama was produced by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, sadly it is now listed as unknown on the long list of lost silent films.

Twelve-year-old Polly ( Ella Hall ) works as a maid in the home of lawyer John Ruffin ( George Webb ) in order to support her little brother Edgar ( William Worthington Jr ). Polly soon wins Ruffin's kindness as she so resembles Marion, the daughter of his fiancée's sister, Lady Osterley, who is separated from her husband, the duke. Knowing that Lady Osterley is unhappy because the duke insists upon sole custody of Marion, Ruffin conceives of the plan to replace Polly for Marion. The impersonation is successful and Marion runs away with her mother. After several mishaps, the duke and Lady Osterley are finally reconciled, and Polly finds a happy home as well.

Ella Hall plays Polly Redhead in this 1917 comedy/drama. By 1915 the popular actress had become one of the hottest box-office properties for the Universal Film Manufacturing Company touted as a Mary Pickford type. Coincidentally, she did understudy for Mary Pickford during her stage career with David Belasco for "The Warrens of Virginia". Sadly the status of this film is listed as unknown and hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces for fans of silent cinema.

While in the act of robbing a set of rare jewels from a museum, a robber is wounded in the hand. Meanwhile, Prentice Tiller ( Kenneth Harlan ), while dressing a wound in his hand, overhears the woman in the next hotel room, Gertrude Temple ( Ruth Clifford ), telephoning Aaron Molitor ( Harry Von Meter ), to whom she is to deliver some jewels. Posing as Molitor, Prentice calls on Gertrude but disappears when Molitor, who also has been wounded in the hand, suddenly arrives. Molitor's men capture Prentice, who barely escapes death in the ruins of an old church and then continues to track Molitor. Gertrude accompanies Molitor and her uncle, Simon Temple ( Harry Holden ), to Paris, where they are met by professional crook Chevat ( Louis Willoughby ) and the woman who loves him, Lola Montez ( Claire Du Brey ). Lola becomes insanely jealous of Gertrude and tries to kill her, but luckily Prentice rescues her. Through a ploy, Prentice, who finally is revealed as a detective, captures Chevat and his gang, returns the jewels to their rightful owner and then proposes to Gertrude.

This exciting 1918 mystery was produced by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company and starred several popular stars of the silent era. Sadly it now remains unknown and hopefully a copy survives for fans of early silent cinema.

Called home by wire, Harry Mason ( Henry King ), arrives too late and finds that his wife Ruth ( Vola Vale ) has just died in childbirth. Thoroughly shaken, Harry refuses to look at the baby, and after locking the door to the room that Ruth had lovingly prepared for the nursery, he travels to Europe, leaving little Martha ( Gloria Joy ) in the care of her grandfather, Colonel Mason ( Daniel Gilfether ). In an attempt to escape his broken-heart, Harry travels throughout the world, but the spirit of his wife continually follows him, and he finally decides to return home. Unaware of her father's identity, Martha, now a charming and spirited young girl, befriends Harry and soon convinces him to unlock the nursery door. On the bureau, he finds the letter his wife had left him years earlier, requesting that he care for their child in the event of her death. Realizing his blindness, Harry unlocks his heart and cares for his daughter.

This 1918 drama was produced by the Balboa Amusement Producing Company and filmed on locations in Long Beach, California. Sadly it is now listed as unknown, hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces for fans of early silent cinema.

Innovative young bride Dodo Warren ( Madge Kennedy ), decides to take her three rejected suitors, Bobo Brown ( Walter Hiers ), Tommy Belden ( Kempton Greene ), and Dr. Elliott ( William Davidson ) along with her and her husband Herb ( George Forth ) on their honeymoon. Herb's protests fall on deaf ears, and soon all five are comfortably nestled in a Florida resort. Herb finds Dodo in what appears to be a compromising position with Dr. Elliott, but her heartfelt explanation convinces him of her innocence. A year later, Dodo tries to rescue Angie Martin ( Marguerite Marsh ), who has squabbled with her fiancé Bobo and therefore plans to attend a party with George Haywood. After calling Dr. Elliott, Dodo asks Bobo to accompany her to the party, which Angie fails to attend, and later that evening, the well-meaning young wife is locked into Haywood's apartment. Following a new round of explanations, Dodo promises never to look at another man again.

This delightful 1918 comedy was produced by the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, with filming locations in Jacksonville and Tampa Florida and Lakewood New Jersey. Sadly it now remains unknown and hopefully it resurfaces for fans of silent cinema.

Treated unkindly by her aunt ( Julia Swayne Gordon ), orphan Lois Walton ( Elaine Hammerstein ) is placed in a reformatory. She and the other inmates are badly abused but are too frightened to complain, and she remains silent after a riot is subdued. Lois evokes the kindness of Peter Madison ( Robert Ellis ), a lawyer who conducts an investigation, she is paroled. Placed in a doctor's home, she becomes afraid by his advances and runs away. Refusing Madison's offer of refuge in his apartment, she becomes social secretary to Miss Dell ( Florence Billings ), who operates a gambling house, and tries to force her into a marriage with wealthy young Leo Carstairs ( Ronald Schabel ); but she is saved by Madison, who claims her as his own wife.

This 1921 melodrama was produced by Selznick Pictures Corporation and filmed on locations in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ronald Colman is listed among the cast , but sadly this silent film remains lost.

This 1924 melodrama was produced by Universal Pictures and featured the lovely actress Alice Lake. Sadly it remains a lost film and all I could find to offer the reader is this brief synopsis. Hopefully a copy of this film survives and resurfaces for fans of silent cinema.

Eddie Kane ( Edwin J. Brady ), a shady gambler persuades his estranged wife, "Poppy" Marie Andrews ( Alice Lake ), to help him blackmail Brownlow Clay ( Herbert Rawlinson ), the owner of a Mexican gambling hall, after Clay refuses entrance to Kane. According to the plan, Kane finds Poppy in Clay's apartment and demands hush money. Poppy, embarrassed of her part in the scheme and genuinely in love with Clay, betrays her husband and marries Clay.

Donald Bayne ( Hart Hoxie ), is known in the North as The Wolf, and when he loses his cabin to Steve Nolan ( George R. Odell ) in a backwoods court, he threatens and assaults the new owner, then leaves him to tend to his traps. Upon his return, he discovers that Steve has been killed in a shooting accident and that Bess Nolan ( Louise Lovely ), his niece, has moved into the cabin with Rose ( Georgia French ), her sister's child. Unable to evict her, The Wolf camps out next to the cabin, but soon realizes that this act has compromised her honour in the town. To rectify the situation, he forces her into marriage, but she maintains a safe distance from him. When Bess's sister and "Snaky" Burns ( Hector Dion ), her brother-in-law, kidnap Rose for use in their unlawful activities, Bess begs Donald to intercede. Donald rescues the child, then restores Rose permanently to Bess. Touched by his good deeds, Bess finally accepts The Wolf as her mate.

This 1918 adventure/drama was produced by the Universal Film Company and starred the beautiful actress Louise Lovely. Sadly it remains listed as unknown on the long list of lost silent films.

While eloping, Madge Mullin ( Gladys Cooper ) is tragically killed when thrown from a stagecoach carelessly driven by Arthur Stowell ( Jack Walters ), engineer of a surveying crew. Timid Bob Ryan ( Pete Morrison ), who was also in love with her, swears revenge and follows the engineer, who has taken the alias of Bull Thompson. Bull robs the coach carrying the payroll to the men, framing Bob, who then is saved by the village fool ( Barney Furey ) from being hanged. This man reveals evidence clearing Bob and convicting Thompson, who admits to his former identity. Bob decides to remain in town with his new love, Frances Wilson ( Dorothy Dickson ), whom he has saved from a runaway coach.

Sadly this early silent drama/adventure distributed through the Arrow Film Corporation is now considered a lost film.

During an argument at a Scottish inn, Captain Gordon ( Robert Warwick ) injures another officer, then flees to New York with detective Jenks ( Robert Milash ) on his trail. He soon meets Marjory Seaton ( Bebe Daniels ), an heiress whom her Uncle Tidmarsh ( Robert Dudley ) is trying to marry to the extravagant Wesley Colfax Winslow ( Lucien Littlefield ). Marjory, however, is interested in Dwight Sylvester ( Norman Selby ), a modish sportsman. One night while at a ball, Gordon spies Jenks following him and, in the course of his escape, accepts safety from a fight promoter named Harry Brooks ( Walter Hiers ). At Brook's request, Gordon substitutes for Sylvester's opponent, burglar Deacon ( James Farley ), at a charity bout, and knocks the real boxer out. Later, during a dinner party at the Tidmarsh's, Gordon is mistaken for a lord and, when the real nobleman appears, is condemned as an charlatan. The police are called, and while awaiting their arrival, Gordon prevents Deacon's attempt to rob the Tidmarsh safe. With the appearance of Jenks, who discloses that the quest for his search was to deliver a large inheritance to Gordon, Marjory declares her love for the Scotsman and a happy ending prevails.

This 1920 drama was produced by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and starred the popular actress Bebe Daniels. It is now listed as a lost film, hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces.

When young Nance Olden ( Bebe Daniels ) is taken from an orphanage to live at Mother Hogan's boardinghouse, she becomes Tom Dorgan's ( Wade Boteler ) partner in crime. While helping him steal a jewel from Edward Ramsey at Union Station, she escapes by slipping into a nearby carriage. When the owner, Bishop Van Wagenen ( Herbert Standing ) enters, the desperate girl pretends to have lost her mind and is taken to Mrs. Ramsey's ( Helen Raymond ) where she keeps up her deception. Meanwhile, Tom has been arrested, but William Lattimer ( Emory Johnson ), Nellie Ramsey's ( Ruth Renick ) fiancé, is not fooled by Nancy's acting and persuades her to reform and use the talent for sketching which she has displayed. Nellie becomes very jealous of the attention William displays for Nance, that she plants evidence making it look like the girl stole a purse, but Tom, just escaped from jail, sees and reports Nellie's trick. Ultimately, Tom is sent back to jail, and Nance is reunited with William.

She Couldn't Help It was a remake of the 1913 film, In the Bishop's Carriage starring Mary Pickford. This version starred the popular actress Bebe Daniels. Sadly both films are now lost.

This 1922 comedy/romance was filmed by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, starring Wallace Reid, Bebe Daniels and Conrad Nagel, three very popular stars of the day. Sadly this film's whereabouts are listed as unknown and hopefully a copy survives and resurfaces, for now all I can offer the reader is a brief synopsis.

Theodora (Teddy) Gloucester ( Bebe Daniels ) is known in the jazz age group as one of the " nice people." One night she and her companion Scotty White ( Conrad Nagel ) are stranded in a farmhouse, and she struggles to fight off his intoxicated advances. Meanwhile, Captain Billy Wade ( Wallace Reid ) has also been seeking shelter and enters the farmhouse , saving Teddy from Scotty's unwanted attentions. However, a scandal results for the girl when her father discovers her the next morning alone with Scotty. After being snubbed by her so called friends, Teddy settles down and agrees to become an old-fashioned wife to Billy.