Louis B. Mayer Movies
Former junkman Louis B. Mayer rose to become one of the most influential and powerful men in Hollywood during the '30s and '40s, when he was the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, once considered the grandest of Hollywood studios that claimed to have "more stars than there are in the heavens." He was born Eliezer Mayer in Minsk, Russia. The son of a laborer, he emigrated with his family to New York during his childhood. They then moved to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada where young Mayer helped out in his father's successful junk and scrap metal operation. As a young man, Mayer went to Boston and set up his own junk business. He too was successful and after marrying a kosher butcher's daughter in 1904, bought a ramshackle motion picture theater in Haverhill, Massachusetts for a song. After renovating it, he vowed only to show the best films. The gambit was successful and he continued buying theaters until he owned New England's largest theater chain. He then began working in film distribution during 1914 -- when The Birth of a Nation came out, he made a fortune. In 1917, after founding a production company -- first called Alco, and then Metro -- Mayer moved to L.A. with star Anita Stewart. Metro was purchased by studio helmer Marcus Loew in 1924. Loew also bought up controlling interests in the Goldwyn company and in Louis B. Mayer Pictures; the result was MGM, and Mayer was appointed vice-president. He remained there until he was forcibly ousted in 1951. It was Mayer who set the tone of the studio and he quickly became a grandfather figure to all. Though not universally beloved, Mayer was respected for his talent for understanding the public's wants. He was adept at picking personnel and stars; very conservative, he sought to impose his high moral standards upon the films MGM produced, thus many of the films were family oriented. To create his high-quality films, he hired only the best of the best. His first production chief was the brilliant Irving Thalberg. At his apex, Mayer was the highest paid person in the United States, making well over a million dollars a year. The conservative Mayer was also politically active and served as the California state chairman of the Republican party for many years. It was Mayer who formed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the source of the Oscars) in 1927. In 1951, his production chief since 1941, Dore Schary, successfully dethroned King Louis. Mayer then became acting advisor to the Cinerama corporation. The rest of his life was spent unsuccessfully trying to regain some kind of financial control over MGM. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1997
Though many fans will always fondly recall Judy Garland's wonderful portrayal of young Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Garland herself was apparently most proud of the role she played in A Star Is Born. In this film, which opened in 1954, Garland portrayed an actress who sees her career blossom as her husband's declines. This video features clips from the film's glamorous premiere held on September 29, 1954, at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Viewers will see a vast array of other stars arriving at this event that foreshadowed Garland's Academy Award nomination for this role. An added segment features Garland and Ken Murray, who was well-known for his "Hollywood Home Movies." ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1925
For this romantic drama, author and Hollywood tastemaker Elinor Glyn began with the premise that a woman does one of three things to a man: she elevates him, degrades him, or bores him to death. Then Glyn does the obvious by introducing three women -- one to represent each possibility -- into the life of her protagonist, Sir Nicholas Thormonde (Lew Cody, who, for once, plays a relatively sympathetic character). Thormonde hires Alathea Bulteel (Harriet Hammond) as his secretary. Although she is an attractive young woman, she purposely makes herself look homely, and while she is attracted to her employer, she is turned off by his womanizing ways. She's especially disgusted by his relationship with Suzette (Renée Adorée). Thormonde comes to love Alathea, but she misunderstands his intentions and quits. Her father (Gerald Grove) gets into trouble with his compulsive gambling, so Alathea agrees to marry Thormonde in name only. Eventually the couple realizes the depth of their feelings for each other. This was definitely one of Glyn's lesser efforts for MGM. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lew Cody, Harriet Hammond, (more)
- 1925
Norma Shearer and Conrad Nagel star in this farce based on the successful stage play by Rupert Hughes. Lieutenant Harry Mallory (Nagel) wins a promotion for his valor and is ordered to go to the Philippines. His fiancée, Marjorie Newton (Shearer), wants to go with him so they decide to get married. They're unable to find a minister before the train leaves for San Francisco. They see one boarding the train, however, and chase after him. When they can't track him down, Mallory finds himself consigned to the wash room for the night. Various misunderstandings ensue -- Mallory runs into a former sweetheart, Francine (Renée Adorée), and Marjorie believes that he is the father of her little boy. Then there's the drunk, Jimmy Wellington (Bert Roach), who just won't go away, and the convention of ministers at one train stop. The train overturns while trying to avoid a burning bridge and Mallory has to be rescued. Somehow, he and Marjorie are able to get married in time to catch the boat headed for the Philippines. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norma Shearer, Conrad Nagel, (more)
- 1925
Lady Gwendolyn (Blanche Sweet, who, at the time, was married to Marshall Neilan) is the daughter of Sir Alfred Grayle, a wealthy Scotsman (Edward Martindel). Because her mother is dead and Sir Alfred wanted a boy, Gwendolyn grows up sharing his passion for sports. When she meets commoner Donald McAllen, a medical student, (Ronald Colman), she falls in love with him. Prince Carlos (Lew Cody), who is heavily in debt, contrives to get his hands on her fortune. McAllen goes away to war and when he returns, Carlos informs him -- falsely -- that he is engaged to Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn cannot understand why McAllen is treating her so coldly, and she buries her depression in a round of wild parties. She eventually does agree to marry Carlos, but her lawyer discovers his game and she unceremoniously dumps him. Her lifestyle has weakened her health, and she returns to Scotland. McAllen -- now a wealthy man -- rescues Gwendolyn, who has become delirious and jumped into the water. The couple are at last reunited. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanche Sweet, Ronald Colman, (more)
- 1925
Fashions for Men was a satirical play by Franz Molnar. In the hands of film company First National, it became a sincere, unsophisticated drama. Kindly Peter Hungerford (Percy Marmont) is a London clothes merchant who has saved up 500 dollars to stave off impending bankruptcy. His plans are ruined when his wife, Adele (Eileen Percy), takes the money and runs off with his clerk, Oscar (Raymond Griffith). Hungerford finds work managing the cheese business for the Earl of Denham (Lewis S. Stone). His former cashier, Paula (Alma Rubens), goes with him and becomes the earl's secretary. The earl pursues Paula, but Hungerford watches over her so carefully that he hampers the affair. The earl wants to fire him, but can't bear to hurt such a kindly man. The creditors of Hungerford's old store ask him to return, and Paula, who realizes she loves him, not the earl, follows. Oscar shows up, destitute and looking for work. The good-natured Hungerford is willing to take him back, but Paula -- who is not so forgiving -- shows the ex-clerk the door. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lewis Stone, Percy Marmont, (more)
- 1925
The Summons by Katherine Newlin Burt made for such tired movie material that director Robert G. Vignola and scenarist Albert Shelby LeVino decided to have some fun with it. The film version of this boy-gets-girl tale begins in LeVino's office, where he is trying to come up with a screenplay that will be accepted -- several have already been turned down. Allowed to pick his own star, he chooses Eleanor Boardman, who emerges from her photograph in miniature (via double exposure) and insists on picking her own leading man, selecting Matt Moore. From there the story begins in earnest, with occasional cuts back to the chain-smoking LeVino. Rosamond (Boardman) is a spirited girl who is disgusted when her beau, George (Moore), voices the opinion that women need to be treated like horses. After the couple attend a prize fight, Rosamond is arrested for speeding, but she refuses to be released into George's custody, preferring to stay behind bars -- that is, until she gets into a fight with another girl. Then, when George tries to take her to her father in the mountains, she uses an excuse to ditch him and drives off. The car careens down the mountain and she winds up in a stream. She is rescued by Brand (William Russell) and Matt (Matthew Betz), who turn out to be murderers. George tries to save her from the killers, but an avalanche separates them. Unable to think of a solution, Rosamond herself goes to LeVino for an answer and he tells her to shoot her attacker. She does, and then she and Matt return to LeVino's typewriter for a clinch on top of the keys. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eleanor Boardman, Matt Moore, (more)
- 1925
King Vidor does a nice job of making an insignificant novel by Lawrence Rising into a pleasant light comedy. Fernanda (Eleanor Boardman, who would become Vidor's second wife) is born in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake and raised by aristocratic relatives in Spain. As a young woman she is engaged to marry Don Jaime Diego (Harrison Ford), but she feels he treats her too lightly. She tells him that she is going to America, but he takes the news so calmly that she is forced to really go. Diego follows after her and, in fact, arrives before she does. This does not stop Fernanda from meeting the attractive Pat O'Malley (Pat O'Malley, apparently using his own name for the character). She falls for him immediately, but when she discovers that, as a contractor, he is basically a glorified plumber, it gives her pause. O'Malley, however, persists and ultimately spirits her off to a cabin. When Diego shows up, O'Malley reluctantly lets Fernanda leave with him, and returns home, depressed. Soon enough Fernanda shows up because she can't forget him. They wind up together, while Diego merely pulls out his little black book and finds another girl. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eleanor Boardman, Pat O'Malley, (more)
- 1925
When Dick Tyler (Conrad Nagel) becomes a partner in the firm of Knight and Tyler, he marries his sweetheart, Doris (Marguerite de la Motte). Jim Knight (Lewis Stone) disapproves of the marriage -- he points out to Tyler that a wife interferes with business. When Dick and Doris attend a dinner given by Doris' school chum, Evelyn (Paulette Duval), they're surprised to see Knight there. Evelyn, they discover, is Knight's mistress and he is keeping her in luxury. Too much luxury, it turns out -- he has spent the firm's surplus funds on her, and now the company is in trouble. Knight begs Evelyn for help, but she coolly turns him down. Doris, meanwhile, goes to a banker friend and pleads her case so effectively that he offers to accept Dick's note. When she and Dick go to tell Knight, they find he has committed suicide. The banker marries Doris' friend, Flora (Louise Fazenda), and the two couples agree that it is cheaper -- in every way -- to marry. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Nagel, Paulette Duval, (more)
- 1925
Director Victor Sjöström gave MGM this well-crafted adaptation of Alphonse Daudet's novel, Kings in Exile. The King of Illyris (Lewis Stone) weds the princess from a neighboring mythical kingdom, making her his Queen (Alice Terry). She is disgusted to discover that he has a mistress, Sephora (Helena D'Algy), and turns to Prince Alexei (John Bowers) for friendship. A revolution flares up in the little nation, and the King is willing to abdicate, but the Queen wants the crown for the sake of their son. The royals escape to Paris, and the King finally begins to grow on the distrustful Queen. In spite of his behavior, the King admits that he has always loved her. It turns out that Sephora is in league with the revolutionists, and this puts the King's life in danger. He decides to abdicate in favor of his son, and the Queen resolves to stick by his side. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alice Terry, Lewis Stone, (more)
- 1924
Ramon Novarro and Barbara LaMarr, the featured players who made such an impression in The Prisoner of Zenda, reunite in this drama as stars. Juan Ricardo (Novarro) is a soldier in the Spanish army. He is offered a promotion to sergeant if he will seduce Guerrita (LaMarr), the young wife of Pedro, an old smuggler (William V. Mong), and get his hands on the illicit goods. It gets complicated, however, when Ricardo and Guerrita fall in love. Guerrita tries to convince him to desert the army, but her husband Pedro discovers the affair, and informs the Commandante (Robert Edeson). Pedro then kills his wife and dies of heart failure. Ricardo is about to be court-martialed, but the Commandante's daughter, Dolores (Edith Roberts) saves him. She argues that he should not have been forced to be a traitor to a woman, and the fact that he refused makes him chivalrous. This film was based on Benjamin Glazer's version of the play by Karl Schoenherr. Bess Meredyth wrote the screenplay. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William V. Mong, Barbara La Marr, (more)
- 1924
This drama was based on the novel Cape Cod Folks by Sarah P. McLean Greene. Jonathan Swift (Frank Keenan) is a wealthy fish packer who resides in a New England fishing village with his son, Noah (Eddie Phillips), and daughter, Emily (Barbara Bedford). Noah is in love with Becky (Renee Adoree), the daughter of Captain Bijonah Keeler (Joseph J. Dowling), a lighthouse keeper. Swift does not approve of the match because he feels that the Keelers are below his station. Meanwhile, Emily is being courted by Joe Cradlebow (Robert Frazer), a captain whose attention she spurns. In order to break up the romance between Noah and Emily, Swift has his son shanghaied and taken aboard a ship. Soon a storm blows in and the ship is wrecked. Cradlebow rescues Noah, winning Emily's admiration. When Swift discovers that Becky is pregnant, and that Noah has promised to marry her, he relents and gives the union his approval, while Cradlebow weds Emily. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Bedford, Frank Keenan, (more)
- 1924
This compelling and exceptionally well-executed silent drama, from new MGM studio executives Irving Thalburg and producer Louis B. Mayer is based on a highly-regarded Russian play and features the studio's biggest stars, Lon Chaney, John Gilbert and Norma Shearer. Directed by noted Swedish filmmmaker Victor Sjostrom, it is the story of a scientific genius who is humiliated by his philandering wife and a major career set-back. To express his pain, bitterness and anger he becomes a circus clown who seems to enjoy the frequently cruel slapstick antics of his new colleagues. While in the circus, he finds a chance at renewal when he falls for a lovely bareback rider. But will he at last find happiness? Or will tragedy continue to be his closest companion? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lon Chaney, Norma Shearer, (more)
- 1924
John Gilbert was on the brink of superstardom when he appeared in this routine domestic drama -- his fame would explode within a year, when he starred in The Merry Widow and The Big Pararde back-to-back. Even though The Wife of the Centaur (based on the novel by Cyril Hume) wasn't a brilliant film, director King Vidor gave it his usual thought-provoking touch. Jeffrey Dwyer (Gilbert) is a writer and a poet who wrestles with the conflicts between his idealism and his passion. The two sides of his nature are personified in the women he loves: the sweetly innocent Joan Converse (Eleanor Boardman), and the sexy, charismatic Inez Martin (Aileen Pringle). Inez eventually dumps Dwyer in favor of Harry Todd (Philo McCullough), but her marriage to him fails. After burying his unhappiness in a round of wild parties, Dwyer marries Joan and they go to a mountain lodge. Inez rents a nearby house and once again Dwyer begins falling for her. He fights his emotions until he can take it no longer, and, after leaving a note for Joan, he goes to Inez. But his better nature ultimately takes over and he returns to his forgiving wife. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eleanor Boardman, John Gilbert, (more)
- 1924
There wasn't much story to this lightweight romance starring Viola Dana. Dana plays Connie DuBois, a manicurist who leaves behind her country home and sweetheart, George Brady (Pat O'Malley), to go to the big city. There she meets up with scheming salesman Eddie Schwartz (Eddie Phillips). When one of Connie's wealthy society clients asks her to house-sit at her Fifth Avenue apartment, Schwartz comes up with a plan. He convinces Connie to enter a beauty contest in Atlantic City, and gives everyone the impression that she is related to the woman whose home she is watching. Connie never corrects this and she wins the contest. She is guilt-ridden, however, and reveals her true identity to the judges. One of them asks her to broadcast her experience, and while she is doing so, she mentions the name of her sweetheart back home. Brady, a radio installer, hears her, and he tracks her down. Connie is allowed to keep her prize money and her title, and she is reunited with Brady. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Viola Dana
- 1924
This romantic drama only used half the clichés of the typical horse racing story. There's the impoverished Colonel (or in this case, a judge) and his pretty daughter, who may have to marry the bad guy who has the mortgage on the family home. At least the story draws the line at this juncture -- there are no drugged or kidnapped jockeys and the heroine doesn't put on the jockey's outfit to ride the horse to victory, which is the way most racing melodramas end. Judge Roberts (Frank Keenan) is living a life of genteel poverty, but he doesn't let his daughter, Virginia (Claire Windsor), know. He rears her in luxurious circumstances by selling off his land, bit by bit, until all that is left is the old homestead and a racehorse, who is about to have a colt. But the horse gets out of the stable during a rainstorm and dies after giving birth. The colt, Dixie, just barely survives. Johnny Sheridan (Lloyd Hughes) is down on his luck, and Judge Roberts takes him in. The young man works in the stable and when the colt, Dixie, is badly injured, he saves its life. Dexter, a trainer for a neighboring millionaire (John St. Polis), finally tells Virginia the truth about her father's circumstances. Dixie is entered in a big race and wins 50 thousand dollars, saving Virginia from marrying the man who carries the mortgage on the old homestead. It turns out that Sheridan comes from a good family, so he is able to marry Virginia. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claire Windsor, Frank Keenan, (more)
- 1924
This domestic comedy-drama seems to owe a lot of its spirit to filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, who made quite a few similar films. When Beth (Eleanor Boardman) marries Peter Marsh (Conrad Nagel), they find their ideas of domestic bliss are very different. Peter dreams of power and a large family, while Beth envisions an vast wardrobe. Her extravagant spending sends her husband into debt and their quarrels grow heated. Just about this time, Daniel Rankin (Lew Cody), another resident in the apartment building where the Marshes live, comes into the picture. He's a self-admitted expert in "understanding misunderstood women," and he sees Beth as easy prey. With the help of his chauffeur and the Marsh's chauffeur, Rankin arranges for Beth's car to "break down." He comes to her aid and offers his sympathetic ear. His presence does not exactly thrill Peter. When Rankin throws a dance in Beth's honor, Peter forbids her to go. She defies him and leaves, but Rankin, who isn't such a bad sort, realizes that she still loves her husband. He sits her down and tells her the Biblical story of David (Warner Oland) and Bath-Sheba (Mabel Julienne Scott), and sends Beth home to Peter. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Nagel, Eleanor Boardman, (more)
- 1923
This Northwest melodrama was based on the novel The Law Bringers by G. B. Lancaster. Andree Grange (Renée Adorée), the daughter of the local cafe owner (Josef Swickward), is engaged to marry Sergeant Neil Tempest (Earle Williams) of the Northwest Mounted Police. But she falls in love with one of his underlings, Bucky O'Hara (Pat O'Malley), after a flirtation. In her father's cabin Andree is attacked by Barode Dukane (Wallace Beery), and she believes she has killed him in the ensuing struggler. Her father helps her to flee and O'Hara is ordered to find her and put her under arrest. He tracks her down, followed by Tempest. Tempest takes charge of Andree but they find themselves caught in the rapids and are saved only because O'Hara shows up. Andree's innocence is established, and Tempest realizes that she and O'Hara are in love, so he gives her up. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Renée Adorée, Earle Williams, (more)
- 1923
This "real life" drama starred some of the best second-string talent at Metro, and first-class screenwriter Frances Marion adapted the story from a stage play by James Forbes. When the world war (meaning World War I -- there was only one back then) breaks out, Mrs. Fair (Myrtle Stedman) goes to Europe as a nurse. She is decorated for bravery, and when she comes home, she discovers that she is famous. She is offered a lecture tour, which her husband (Huntly Gordon) forbids her to accept. Mrs. Fair rebels and accepts anyway, leaving her husband; son, Alan (Cullen Landis); and daughter, Sylvia (Marguerite de la Motte), on their own. At a loss without Mrs. Fair, the family moves into a hotel. Mr. Fair succumbs to the charms of a vampy neighbor, Angy Brice (Carmel Myers), while Sylvia becomes a flapper and Alan takes up gambling. When Mrs. Fair finally gets back from her tour, Alan and her husband settle down, but Sylvia is about to run off with the no-good Dudley Gillette (Ward Crane). Alan, who has married a nice girl (Helen Ferguson), saves her from disgracing herself. Mrs. Fair realizes that her neglect was what started all the trouble (this was definitely in the days before women's equality), and gladly stays home. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Myrtle Stedman, Huntly Gordon, (more)
- 1923
Future MGM star Norma Shearer was still an up-and-coming young starlet when she made an impressive appearance as the flapper daughter in this otherwise mediocre drama. Hugh Benton (Huntly Gordon) comes into sudden wealth and he moves his family into a city mansion. His wife, Marjorie (Mary Alden), is uncomfortable with her new lifestyle and Benton begins an affair with Geraldine De Lacey (Winifred Bryson). Marjorie's two grown children are as opposite as she and her husband -- Elinor (Shearer), like her father, loves the high life, while Howard (William Collier Jr.) sticks by his mother. Elinor attends a wild party and the host, Templeton Druid (Ward Crane), locks her in a room. Benton and Geraldine are also in attendance, and when he hears his daughter calling for help, Benton springs into action and shoots Druid. He is arrested, but Druid recovers and charges are never pressed. The incident helps bring the family back together again. This picture was based on the novel, The Valley of Content, by Blanche Upwright. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Huntly Gordon, Mary Alden, (more)
- 1923
In the early 1920s Fred Niblo was known for directing adventure films -- he had already done Mark of Zorro and The Three Musketeers for Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and would soon be put into service for Ben Hur -- so he was a natural choice to helm this swashbuckling picture based on the play Captain Applejack by Walter Hackett. Timid Ambrose Applejohn (Matt Moore) leads a life devoid of excitement until some thieves show up around his English country estate, bent on finding the treasure left by a pirate ancestor. After temporarily thwarting them, Applejohn falls asleep and dreams of the conquests of his long-dead relative. He wakes up inspired by his visions of romance and adventure and really puts the villains to rout. Along the way he discovers that real adventure and fantasy are two different things, and that the love of a nice girl, like his ward Poppy Faire (Enid Bennett), is far better than that of an adventuress such as Ann Valeska (Barbara La Marr). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt Moore, Enid Bennett, (more)
- 1923
A young and still inexperienced Norma Shearer was originally cast in the lead role of Myra Hastings in this society drama -- it was her first film for Metro, and Irving Thalberg, vice president and Louis B. Mayer's right hand man, had high hopes for her. But director John M. Stahl didn't see much potential in Shearer and insisted that contract player and former Mack Sennett star Marie Prevost take the role of Myra. Shearer was demoted to a supporting role. The story was trite, so the future MGM star (who eventually married Thalberg) didn't miss much by losing the lead. Myra is the maid in a wealthy home who dreams of the better things in life. One day while she is secretly trying on her mistress's gowns she is discovered by Elliot, the Worthington scion (Robert Ellis). He falls in love with her, but she is fired. The headstrong Elliot marries her and brings her back home, much to his family's chagrin. They promptly snub poor Myra, who runs away. Elliot goes after her and saves her from being hit by a train. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1922
Although Anita Stewart receives top billing in this action picture, it's Edward Hearn who has the more prominent role. Bill Shannon (Hearn) is building a dam in the mountains of the West. Leon Morse, a Wall Street millionaire and railroad magnate (Arthur Stewart Hull), wants the same land as a right-of-way for his railroad. He travels West to negotiate with Shannon, bringing along his fiancée, Anne Wilmot (Stewart), and her Aunt Katherine (Adele Farrington). The trip proves to be Morse's undoing in several ways -- Anne immediately falls in love with Shannon, who is not terribly cooperative about handing over the land. After his offer to Shannon is turned down, Morse plants a bomb to blow up the dam. Anne is the one who saves the day by disconnecting the bomb's wire. After losing the battle for both the land and his sweetheart, Morse crawls back to his Eastern home. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anita Stewart, Edward Hearn, (more)
- 1922
This comedy-drama starring Anita Stewart was unusual in that instead of marrying the handsome leading man, the heroine winds up with his father. As an infant, Rose (Stewart) was cast onshore after a shipwreck and taken in by an old sailor. The sailor raises her, and after his death, Rose goes to work in a Fifth Avenue flower shop. The good-looking but dissolute Elliott Schuyler (Rudolph Cameron) meets her there, and invites her out for a ride in his car. She goes, but repulses his amorous advances. Elliott, who has been drinking, hits his head and is knocked unconscious. Rose goes to his millionaire father, Peter Schuyler (Thomas Holding), to tell him of his son's death, but Elliott comes to and arrives home while she is still there. The young man takes up with a chorus girl, and when Peter tries to buy her off, she uses the money to pay one of his son's gambling debts. Rose, meanwhile, is befriended by an elderly lady who tries to start a romance between her and Elliott. The ploy is nearly successful, and the couple go so far as to become engaged. But Elliott decides he is unworthy of her and marries the chorus girl. Peter disinherits him, but Rose helps father and son to reconcile. Along the way, she and Peter fall in love and they marry. This picture was based on the novel by Countess Barcynska. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anita Stewart, Rudolph Cameron, (more)
- 1922
Veteran silent star Henry Walthall shines in this drama, based on the novel by Frances Nimmo Greene. In spite of the complaints from his sister, Maggie Thornton (Irene Rich), Dr. Alan Hamilton (Milton Sills) insists on befriending Henry Garnett (Warner), who runs a gambling hall. A young woman (Claire Windsor) is brought into Hamilton's hospital unconscious, and she refuses to reveal her identity. Hamilton falls in love with the girl, who he calls Faith, and she is the only one who encourages his friendship with Garnett. On the night he keeps a rioting mob away from the gambling hall, he reveals to Faith that he is looking for Garnett's long-lost wife because the gambler has only a limited time to live. Faith finally reveals that she is the wife, but Hamilton turns around and urges her to keep her secret. His bad advice eats away at him, and he turns to drink until he is compelled to tend to his nephew, who has been badly injured. He then takes Faith to Garnett, but the dying gambler wishes her only happiness and releases her from her bond to him by drinking poison. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Milton Sills, Claire Windsor, (more)
