Edward Earle Movies
One of the first stars to emerge from the old Edison film company, Canadian-born actor Edward Earle had toured in vaudeville and stock before settling on movies in 1915. The blonde, muscular Earle quickly rose to the rank of romantic lead in films like Ranson's Folly (1915), The Gates of Eden (1916), and East Lynne (1921). In the '20s he could be seen supporting such luminaries as George Arliss (The Man Who Played God [1922]) and Lillian Gish (The Wind [1928]). In talkies, Earle became a character player. Though his voice was resonant and his handsome features still intact, he often as not played unbilled bits, in everything from prestige pictures (Magnificent Obsession [1935]) to B-items (Laurel and Hardy's The Dancing Masters [1943] and Nothing but Trouble [1944]). In Beware of Blondie, Earle assumed the role of Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers -- but his back was turned to the camera and his voice was dubbed by the Blondie series' former Dithers, Jonathan Hale. Earle's best sound opportunities came in Westerns and serials; in the latter category, he was one of the characters suspected of being the diabolical Rattler in Ken Maynard's Mystery Mountain (1934). Edward Earle retired to the Motion Picture Country Home in the early '60s, where he died at age 90 in 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1914
Jack Leigh portrays Eugene Aram, a poverty-stricken 18th-century scholar. In dire straits, Aram plans to murder a wealthy man. Arriving at his potential victim's home, he finds that another murderer has beaten him to it. When Aram later inherits some money, suspicions arise that he has killed to attain the windfall. Thus it is that Eugene Aram is executed for a crime he didn't commit--a denouement that, curiously, is a happy one, given a last-minute plot twist. American distribution of this British adaptation of Edgar Bulwer Lytton's novel was scotched when the Edison Company produced a rival Eugene Aram in 1915. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
There was "star power" aplenty in this first screen version of Richard Harding Davis' Ranson's Folly. The popular Edward Earle headed the cast as Lt. Ranson, a Cavalry officer who, on a dare, turns stagecoach outlaw for a day. To cover his tracks, Ranson uses the modus operandi of the notorious bandit known only as "The Red Rider." Little does he suspect that the real Red Rider is local innkeeper Patrick Cahill (Marc McDermott) -- who happens to be the father of Ranson's girl friend Mary (Mabel Trunnelle). Later on, circumstantial evidence suggests that Ranson and the Red Rider are one in the same, earning him an arrest and possible execution. The real Red Rider saves the day by committing suicide, but not before leaving behind a note in which he reveals his secret identity, thereby exonerating Ranson and leaving him free to wed sweet Mary. An even better version of Ranson's Folly was filmed eleven years later, with Richard Barthelmess as the title character. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
In this silent tragic crime drama, an impoverished fellow becomes so desperate that he goes along with a plot to murder a rich man. He goes to do the killing and much to his surprise, discovers that someone has beaten him to the punch. Later his fortune abruptly changes when he receives a generous inheritance. He falls in love and is preparing to marry when the vindictive son of the late tycoon shows up and accuses him of murder. It was the real killer who tipped off the son. The fellow ends up convicted of the crime. Meanwhile, his delicate fiancee dies from shock and grief. He becomes so bereaved that he welcomes the hangman's noose around his neck. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1916
Although the "star system" was discouraged at Edison studios, actress Viola Dana managed to rise to fame under the Edison banner -- thanks in no small part to her favorite director (and her husband!) John H. Collins. In The Innocence of Ruth, Dana plays the title character, who upon the death of her father is placed under the guardianship of bachelor and man-about-town Mr. Carter (Edward Earle). For the next five reels, Carter dedicates himself to the attempted deflowering of the wide-eyed Ruth. By and by, however, her sweet ingenuousness deflects him from his mission -- so much so that he rescues her from being seduced by another libidinous bachelor. Just like her spiritual sister Doris Day, Ruth uses her virginity as a weapon with which to conquer the man of her dreams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1917
For those not around in 1917, "bar sinister" referred to illegitimacy. In this case, the person whose heritage in question is Southern belle Hedda Nova, who has been listed in the record books as "part-colored". She must prove that she's 100% white in order to gain acceptance in the community. Yes, it was a strange, strange world we lived in, Master Jack. Bar Sinister was based on a poem by Anthony Kelly-which, for obvious reasons, is no longer part of the American classroom curriculum. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1917
Hero Gerald Ackland (Edward Earle) is not inclined to wait for America's entry into WWI. Long before his own country's official declaration, he heads to France to defend the Forces of Democracy against the Kaiser's hordes. While flying his airplane across enemy lines, our hero is forced to bail out, whereupon he locates a conveniently abandoned machine gun. As German bullets whizz around him, he remains at his post, mowing down the enemy with ruthless determination. Even in 1917, audiences didn't swallow the fabricated heroics of For France, so the producer felt obliged to insert a shot of the American flag at the end, just so he could claim that his film ended with a standing ovation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1919
This farce comedy was based on the play by Lawrence Irving Rising. Moving Picture World, expressing the delicate mores of the era's movie audience, asserted, "it is not, after all, the sort of picture to flaunt in the face of an innocent debutante," in part because one of the characters reveals an identifying mole -- on her ankle! Alice Brady has a dual role, as the mischievous Vi Playfair (the one with the mole), and her tamer twin sister Tiny. Vi is about to marry Joe Damorel (Edward Earle), but first she wants to have a secret meeting with a former suitor, Lent Trevett (James L. Crane). Tiny -- who's more than a little in love with Trevett herself -- is shocked at her sister's plan, and goes to meet him herself. After receiving the kisses and affection meant for her sister, Tiny sends him on his way, but the next day, after the wedding, Trevett shows up in an attempt to convince Vi to run off with him. Tiny is furious when Vi agrees, and since there is a second dress identical to the wedding gown, she puts it on and goes off with Damorel. Now it's Vi's turn to become incensed, but after a lot of confusion, husband and wife get back together, while Tiny and Trevett decide they're happy with each other. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1921
East Lynne, the most famous of all melodramas, was filmed many times (including once with screen vamp Theda Bara!), and this time around it was brought up to modern times (or 1921, the year it was released), and its location changed from England to America. Otherwise the plot is pretty much the same: Isabel Vane (Mabel Ballin) believes her husband, Archibald Carlyle (Edward Earle) is romantically involved with Barbara Hare (Gladys Coburn). He isn't -- he's trying to save Barbara's brother, Richard (Gilbert Rooney), from a murder conviction. But Isabel doesn't know this, so she leaves him, and her estate, East Lynne, and goes to Quebec with Francis Levison (Henry G. Sell). Isabel has nothing but misfortune in Quebec -- Levison (who, it turns out, committed the murder Hare was believed guilty of) leaves her and her child dies. So she decides to go back to East Lynne and beg Archibald's forgiveness. But the train bringing her home wrecks and she is seriously injured. Her husband hears she has died and marries Barbara. But Isabel shows up on his doorstep at East Lynne, and she dies there. Star Mabel Ballin was the wife of the film's director Hugo Ballin. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1921
Filmed on location at Monterey, CA, and starring exotic stage dancer Mlle. Doraldina, this long-lost South Seas romance featured Stuart Holmes as a vicious plantation overseer who poisons his boss (W.A. Bainbridge) in order to possess both the unfortunate man's estate and his daughter. When the latter instead entrusts management of the plantation to handsome Edward Earle, Holmes almost create a native uprising by claiming that the girl is a half-caste. A devoted maid (Florence Turner) sets the record straight, however, and Doraldina is free to marry Earle. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1922
The story to this comedy-drama was written by an exhibitor, S. Barrett McCormick, owner of the Allen Theatre in Cleveland. As might be expected, the final product was enjoyable, not too taxing on the brain, had no overpriced stars, and clocked in at exactly five reels, or an hour's length (the standard of the day). Keith Drummond (Edward Earle) has no money but a good name. He comes to the big city to make his way, and on the basis of his name alone is lent a large sum of money, with the advice to "put up a front." Drummond marries socialite Helen Baxter (Barbara Castleton), but he comes to hate what he perceives to be his lazy, dishonest life. He disappears without a trace and finds a job at an oil firm. Here, he makes a name for himself honestly, and when he meets with the principle stockholder, he's surprised to discover that it's his wife. Now that he has gained self-respect and a solid position which he earned on his own, Drummond is ready to reunite with Helen. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Earle, Barbara Castleton, (more)
- 1922
This melodrama is based on a play that was popular in the first decade of the 1900s. Unfortunately, it was quite dated by the 1920s, when this picture was made, although director Burton King did his best to bring action and humanity to the story. Badger (Leslie King), a clerk at a Wall Street brokerage, discovers that his boss Gideon Bloodgood (Anders Randoph) has swindled an investor, Fairweather, out of his money. Fairweather dies of a heart attack after an argument with Bloodgood, and Badger uses this knowledge to blackmail him. By a strange coincidence, Bloodgood's daughter Lucy (Barbara Castleton]) runs over Fairweather's son, Paul (Edward Earle), and cripples him. Badger uses Paul to get money out of Bloodgood, but he also gives the young man the funds to get an operation. A romance develops between Lucy and Paul, which infuriates Badger, who wanted her for himself. He brings both Paul and Bloodgood to a shack during a storm with the intention of doing away with them. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie King
- 1922
Esteemed stage actor George Arliss became the screen's unlikeliest star at the ripe age of 53 in 1921. But the odd-looking, very mature Arliss had a rare talent and charisma, and younger, more attractive stars had to work extra hard to make their presence known next to him. In this drama, which was based on a play that came from a Gouveneur Morris story, he even portrays a romantic figure. John Arden (Arliss) is a highly respected musician who marries the much-younger Marjorie Blaine (Ann Forrest). He gives a private concert, and anarchists toss a bomb at a couple of the guests, who happen to be royal family members. The explosion renders Arden deaf, but he learns to lip read, which enables him to discover what others are saying. The words he reads coming out of a friend's mouth lead him to believe that he is a burden to his wife. He resolves to commit suicide, but Carter (Ivan Simpson), the family retainer, distracts him by urging him to look out the window. With the help of binoculars, Arden discovers some people talking and discerns that they are far worse off than he is. He decides to devote himself to helping others, but still he believes that Marjorie has stuck by him purely out of duty. Finally he realizes that she actually loves him very deeply, and a fall brings him back his hearing. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Arliss, Ann Forrest, (more)
- 1923
Famous for playing the long-suffering mother in the tearjerker Over the Hill to the Poorhouse (1920), Mary Carr earned yet another tour-de-force in this silent backstage melodrama, courtesy of the Zelznick Corp. This time, she played Nellie Wayne, a retired and broken down stock company actress, whose sole supporter is Chum, an aging vaudeville dog (played by a pooch named "Lassie Bronté," no less!) Life, however, turns considerably cheerier when the old dear sells a play she has written about her experiences to a famous film producer (Dore Davidson). In between Carr's tear-provoking antics, her character came into contact with quite a few Broadway and literary legends, including P. T. Barnum (played by Maclyn Arbuckle), Mark Twain (Leslie King), President Ulysses S. Grant (Albert Phillips) and Augustin Daly (Frederick Burton). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Carr
- 1924
The Family Secret involves wealthy Gladys Hullette and her poverty-stricken beau Edward Earle. To avoid incurring her father's wrath, Hullette marries Earle in a secret ceremony. When Hullette' child is born, papa throws her out of the house. Year pass: Earle, sneaking into his father-in-law's home to visit his child, is arrested as a burglar. It is up to the daughter-played by perennial "little Miss Fixit" Baby Peggy Montgomery--to straighten things out. Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's hoary old kiddie story Editha's Burglar, The Family Secret is handled with wit and nuance by director William A. Seiter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Earle
- 1924
Action star Ben Wilson enjoyed a modicum of success as an independent producer in the 1920s. One of Wilson's least typical outings (there were no chase scenes or last-minute rescues) was 1924's Gambling Wives. Marjorie Daw plays Ann Forrest, the wife of chronic gambler/philanderer Vincent Forrest (Edward Earle). Tired of being the object of pity and ridicule, Ann offers her affections to Van Merton (Ward Crane), the paramour of gambling casino owner Mme. Zoe (Hedda Hopper). A last-reel act of violence awakens the Forrests to their foolishness. Gambling Wives is worth noting because of the presence of two Mack Sennett veterans: director Dell Henderson, and "supporting player" Buddy the Dog. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marjorie Daw, Dorothy Brock, (more)
- 1924
This farce comedy stars Marie Prevost and Monte Blue. Ernest Todd (Blue) is not doing very well in the insurance business, so his pal, Billy Breese (Creighton Hale), suggests that he use his wife, Mabel (Prevost), to vamp customers, thus luring them in. Mabel obliges by flirting with Henry Bancks (Claude Gillingwater) at a jazz party the couple is attending, but Todd is not happy with the situation. The couple argues after Mabel has gone to a cabaret with Bancks, and they separate. Todd is forced to run the house solo and he fails miserably. When he runs into Mabel at a diner, he begs for her help. She agrees to act as if they have made up so that Todd can entertain Bancks at home. Everything goes wrong, but Bancks still signs up for a big policy and Mabel decides to return to her husband. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Prevost, Monte Blue, (more)
- 1924
In between contracts with Universal and MGM, where he would do his best work, enigmatic director Tod Browning marked time with lowly Film-Booking-Office for two melodramas starring the smoldering Evelyn Brent, The Dangerous Flirt and Silk Stocking Sal. Despite an undeserved bad reputation, Sheila Fairfax (Brent), The Dangerous Flirt of the title, manages to land mining engineer Dick Morris (Edward Earle). But on their wedding night, Dick's embraces intimidate her and, disgusted with his bride's coldness, he leaves for South America. She follows tearfully, and they are reunited at the rancho belonging to Don Alfonso (Sheldon Lewis). Don Alfonso's nephew, José (Pierre Gendron), proves to be the villain who once ravished Sheila and Dick kills him in a duel. Realizing the root to her marital problems began with José and the subsequent attitude of her prissy aunt, Prissy (Clarissa Selwynne), Sheila manages to free her jailed husband and they escape to start a new life together. The dark-haired Evelyn Brent appeared in quite a few potboilers like this before being "re-discovered" by Josef von Sternberg. But for the rest of her life, Brent always credited Browning for starting "the Queen of the Underworld thing" that ultimately led to her playing Feathers McCoy, the quintessential gangster's moll in Underworld (1927). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarissa Selwynne, Evelyn Brent, (more)
- 1925
Although Blanche Sweet was often busy making films with her then-husband Marshall Neilan, during 1925 and 1926, she also made several films for First National. This one is a melodrama of the sea in which she plays Molla Hansen, the daughter of the captain of an oil schooner (Bert Sprotte). Molla has made plans to marry Captain Rodney O'Malley (Robert Frazer) when she returns from a voyage with her father, but the ship burns at sea. She is saved by a lighthouse keeper who dies from his wounds, and in gratitude, she cares for the man's daughter, Pearl (Dorothy Sebastian). O'Malley, believing Molla to be dead, goes on a two-year voyage. Charley Watts (Alan Roscoe), a rum-runner, seduces Pearl, who tries to blame her pregnancy on an innocent man. Then she learns that Watts is married, and she turns on the gas in the lighthouse, hoping that the explosion will kill them both. It also nearly kills Molla, but O'Malley, returned from his trip, rescues her. This picture was adapted from the play by Willard Robertson. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanche Sweet, Edward Earle, (more)
- 1925
During a carnival in Venice, Horace Pierpont, a wealthy American (Lewis Stone), falls in love with Fay Kennion (Virgina Valli). Their romance is derailed when she goes over to his apartment and finds the vampy Fifi (Nita Naldi) there. Fay goes down to Algiers, where she marries a former sweetheart, Dr. Alan Mortimer (Edward Earle). Pierpont goes after Fay and when he discovers she has wed, takes a trip with the Mortimers over the desert. Dr. Mortimer is suspicious of the relationship between his wife and the newcomer, and when Pierpont is bitten by a viper, he refuses to treat him if there is a relationship going on. Fay lies so that Mortimer will take care of the wound. Later, she confesses the truth and sends Pierpont away. Eventually Mortimer is killed by an Arab attack, and when Fay runs into Pierpont, he reveals that Fifi was at his apartment that long-ago day to exact revenge. Now that nothing at all stands in their way, the pair reunite. This drama was based on the novel Snake Bite by Robert Hichens, a popular writer of the day. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lewis Stone, Virginia Valli, (more)
- 1925
This typically overblown Frank Lloyd-directed western takes place in the days of the California Gold Rush. Anna Q. Nilsson stars as Sandra De Hault, who heads to California in the company of three orphaned children she has adopted along the way. Taking up residence in a squalid shack, Sandra falls in with slimy saloon-owner Buck Lockwell (George Bancroft). Feeling that she's now damaged goods, she refuses to marry Stanton Holliday (Robert Frazer), the "nice boy" with whom she eventually falls in love. But Stanton rescues Sandra from her surroundings with a well-aimed sock at Buck's chin. Lionel Barrymore, then in a career slump, plays the thankless role of a philosophical gambler. The Splendid Road was based on a novel by Vingie E. Roe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Q. Nilsson, Robert W. Frazer, (more)
- 1926
Even minus the original musical score, this silent-film adaptation of the Broadway hit Irene is a delight. Colleen Moore stars as Irene O'Dare, an Irish colleen who comes to New York in search of a job. She lands a position at the fancy fashion salon owned by one Mme. Lucy, a male couturier campily portrayed by George K. Arthur. Becoming the establishment's top fashion model, Irene is a huge success, though it takes her a bit longer to find romantic happiness in the arms of wealthy Donald Marshall (Lloyd Hughes), thanks to the strenuous efforts by Donald's snooty mother (Ida Darling) to break up the relationship. The highlight of the film is a Technicolor fashion sequence, which remains a visual feast even though the colors have faded in most available prints. Irene was remade in 1940 with Anna Neagle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colleen Moore, Lloyd Hughes, (more)
- 1926
The Greater Glory was adapted by June Mathis from The Viennese Medley, a novel by Edith O'Shaughnessy. Set during WWI, the film focuses on the changes wrought by the war upon a "typical" European family. Specifically, the story zeroes in on the two prettiest family members, Fanny (Anna Q. Nilsson) and Corinne (May Allison). Corinne is a separated from her sweetheart early in the proceedings, but promises to be faithful. Not so Fanny, who becomes the mistress of an odious war profiteer. In the end, Fanny is redeemed by True Love, while Corinne, though worn down by poverty and deprivation, likewise enjoys a happy ending. The travails of the two heroines are reflected by recurring superimposed appearances of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, whose scenes were filmed in Technicolor. Running nearly 30 reels (or six hours!) in its original form, The Greater Glory was eventually released at a more manageable 2-hour length. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conway Tearle, Anna Q. Nilsson, (more)
- 1926
Enid Bennett, best known for her portrayal of Maid Marian in Douglas Fairbanks Sr.'s Robin Hood, stars in the low-budget A Woman's Heart. Unable to marry Ralph Deane (Edward Earle), the man of her dreams, heroine Eve (Bennett) settles for a loveless union with John Waring (Gayne Whitman). Still carrying a torch for Deane, Eve plots and plans to be reunited with him on the sly. But when she finds him in the arms of another woman (Mabel Julienne Scott), Eve realizes that Deane was merely stringing her along. She returns to her husband, who may not be the most exciting man to come down the pike, but who at least is diligently faithful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Enid Bennett, Mabel Julienne Scott, (more)
- 1927
John Gilbert was one of MGM's top stars when he appeared this melodrama. Playing against his usual matinee idol type, Gilbert plays a tough and restless wanderer. Jerry Fay (Gilbert) and Red McCue (Ernest Torrence) are fierce but not unfriendly rivals who run into each other in various ports. They meet up once again in New York to discover that they have both become bootleggers. Fay has just loaded up his speedboat with rum when he is pursued by the coast guard. He hides out in a home on the seashore, and Jane, the girl living there (Joan Crawford), threatens to call the cops. To prevent her from turning him in, Fay kidnaps her and takes her to his ship. McCue and his men, disguised as revenuers, hijack Fay's boat, and the two men find themselves face to face once again. A drinking contest between the two of them turns into a vicious battle. Fay recaptures the boat and turns it in to save Jane. Jane, who has fallen in love with the wounded Fay, cradles him in her arms. Crawford, whose star was still very much on the ascendant, would appear with Gilbert again in 1928's Four Walls. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gilbert, Ernest Torrence, (more)
