Theodore Roberts Movies

Only three minutes of the 74-minute Noisy Neighbors contains any dialogue; the rest of the film has hardly any noise at all. Written for the screen by F. Hugh Herbert (of Kiss and Tell and The Moon is Blue fame), the story focuses on a family of second-string vaudevillians, played by genuine vaudeville trouper Eddie Quillan and his real-life family. Inheriting a Southern plantation, Quillan and his brood land in the middle of a raging hillbilly feud. One of the mountain patriarches is played by old DeMille reliable Theodore Roberts, in his final screen appearance; he died shortly before the film's release. Also in the cast is pert ex-Sennett bathing beauty Alberta Vaughan (who appeared in a swimsuit in the film's production stills, but not on screen), and bombastic comedian Billy Gilbert, in his movie debut. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Masks of the Devil was director Victor Seastrom's final silent film for MGM -- and his next-to-last American film before his return to Sweden. Based on a story by Jacob Wasserman, the film stars John Gilbert as Baron Reiner, who spends his entire life in pursuit of beautiful women. A ruthless, sociopathic type, the Baron has no sooner pledged eternal devotion to one damsel than he is hot on the trail of another conquest. Eventually, however, the Baron's conscience catches up with him, and in a series of scenes apparently inspired by O'Neill's Strange Interlude, the audience is permitted to see Reiner's innermost thoughts, superimposed over close-ups of the protagonist staring into his mirror. Masks of the Devil was partially designed as a showcase for Irving Thalberg's latest screen discovery, Viennese actress Eva Von Berne, of whom little was heard after the film's release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Because of a trite story, this drama isn't up to director William C. De Mille's usual high standards. Mary (Betty Compson) weds wealthy Norman Carter (Robert Edeson) only to provide a home for her invalid father (the always entertaining Theodore Roberts). When she visits friends at a mountain lodge, she meets John Talbot (Theodore Von Eltz), who is much closer to her age, and they fall in love. Talbot never learns her last name, but knows she is married so he tries to forget her. Later on he goes to work for Carter and confides in him. Carter insists on bringing him home so that he can forget his infatuation. Unfortunately, he's face-to-face with her the moment he reaches the Carter residence. Although they try to hide it, their love is clear to both Carter and his sister, Laura (Kathlyn Williams). On the night Talbot comes to Mary's room to tell her goodbye, a fire breaks out in the house. The pair are trapped in Mary's room and are discovered by Carter. Carter realizes that Mary will never love him, so he offers to divorce her while Talbot is away in Italy. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Burned by a recent series of scandals that included the Fatty Arbuckle manslaughter case and the February 1, 1922, murder of director William Desmond Taylor, Hollywood took great pains in attempting to convince Middle America that the film community was anything but "out of control." One of the industry's few women producers, A. E. Maescher, released Night Life in Hollywood, about a couple of hayseeds (J. Frank Glendon and Gale Henry) arriving in the film mecca in the hope of experiencing "a modern Babylon." But according to Maescher and her director, Fred Caldwell, Hollywood was a rather dowdy and sleepy little community where Joe and his sister found nothing but pleasant romance while visiting the homes of the stars, including the abode of humorist Will Rogers.To drive her point home, Maescher convinced a long line of popular performers to appear as their dull and far from scandalous selves, including serial star William Desmond, Bryant Washburn and family, Bessie Love, the closeted J. Warren Kerrigan and his adoring mother, little Johnny Jones (aka Edward Peil, Jr.), and last but certainly not least, handsome Wallace Reid and his wife Dorothy Davenport. Ironically, Reid, a major box-office attraction, lost his long fought battle with drug abuse less than a year after appearing in this moralistic film. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

Even though Wallace Reid died only a few weeks before this film's release, the genre of racing car movies which he made famous apparently lived on. Since Reid was no longer around to star in them, Paramount put Richard Dix in the lead and gave him Agnes Ayres as his co-star. All but stealing the show (as usual) is character actor Theodore Roberts, who had starred with Reid many times. Automobile maker John Kent (Roberts) is an old-fashioned sort who refuses to advertise his car line. His daughter Ginger (Ayres), however, is determined to get him some publicity and goes speeding around town in one of his cars, hoping to get arrested. Roddy Smith (Dix), posing as a cop, stops her. His father owns a rival firm and he suggests that Ginger convince her father to enter his car in the Vanderbilt road race. A competitor of Kent's has a spy in the plant, and he's the one chosen to drive the vehicle. He's supposed to throw the race, but Ginger finds out about the plot and drives the car herself. With Roddy's help she wins -- and Roddy wins her heart. To add authenticity, James A. Murphy, a real race car driver, was cast in a small role. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Paramount gave their newest star, an adolescent Douglas Fairbanks Jr., every advantage in his film debut. As support, young Fairbanks had some of the best talent from the studio's stock company, including renowned scene-stealer Theodore Roberts and Harry Myers, who had recently impressed in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. The young actor himself received polite notices for his performance as Stephen Harlow Jr., who fails a class in Turkish history, and, as a result, can't graduate from college. His irate father, Stephen Sr. (Roberts), who has endowed the college, sends his boy to Turkey to learn some history firsthand and fires the professor, Mr. Gilman (James O. Barrows). When he discovers that professor Gilman has been discharged, Stephen Jr. becomes determined to get him his job back -- but first he gets involved in a Turkish revolution, led by the villainous Muley Pasha (Noah Beery Sr.), and rescues the sultan's son (Pat Moore). For his heroic acts, Stephen Jr. receives the Grand Cross of the Crescent, and he sends it to Gilman, claiming that it is for books he wrote on Turkish history. The college, seeing that Gilman is a man of prominence and distinction, reinstates him, and Stephen returns home to a proud father. This film was based on Richard Harding Davis' adventure story The Grand Cross of the Crescent. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Cecil B. DeMille's first screen version of The Ten Commandments is only peripherally a Biblical story. The film's first 45 minutes recaps the struggle between Moses (Theodore Roberts) and Rameses (Charles de Roche) over the liberation of the Hebrews. Only after the Lord has imposed a series of plagues upon Egypt does Rameses relent and permit the Exodus to take place--only to go back on his word a few moments later. The scenes of thousands of Hebrews trekking across the desert, the parting of the Red Sea (an effect accomplished in part by splitting a bowl of gelatin down the middle) and the pre-Commandments revelries before the Golden Calf--complete with a fetchingly undressed Estelle Taylor as Miriam--are produced on a spectacular scale...but this is only the beginning. Just as Moses is invoking the Wrath of God upon the ungrateful Hebrews, the film dissolves to the present day (1923, that is). We are introduced to the MacTavish Family: pious, Bible-thumping Martha McTavish (Edythe Chapman) and her sons, straight-arrow John (Richard Dix) and hedonistic Dan (Rod LaRocque). Both sons love Mary Leigh (Leatrice Joy), but the roguish Dan wins out. While John continues honoring the Ten Commandments, Dan breaks as many as he can get his hands on, especially after falling under the spell of Eurasian adventuress Sally Lung (Nita Naldi). Before the uplifting climax, wherein John and Mary finally get together with (it is implied) the blessings of Heaven, we are treated to a series of disastrous plot turns, including the death of mother McTavish in a collapsing church, Sally Lung's revelation that she has leprosy, and a wild speedboat chase. All that's missing is the kitchen sink. Partially filmed in Technicolor at a then-astronomical cost of $1.2 million (a sum that caused a decade-long rift between Cecil B. DeMille and Paramount Pictures), The Ten Commandments grossed several times that amount. DeMille's 1956 Ten Commandments dispenses with the modern story to concentrate on the life of Moses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Even with its share of sumptuous sets and domestic mixups, this comedy-drama was not typical for director Cecil B. DeMille. Plus, the class-conscious attitude reflected the attitudes of the pre-World War I era -- mores started changing during the 1920s. A young society couple, Iris Van Suydam (Leatrice Joy) and Dick Prentiss (Conrad Nagel), are engaged to be married. But when the Van Suydam chauffeur, Tom McGuire (Jack Mower), saves Iris when her car is stuck on a railroad track, she impulsively marries him. Likewise, Prentiss falls for Shamrock O'Day (Edith Roberts), the daugh ter of his family's laundress (Sylvia Ashton). The two couples, however, are woefully mismatched -- Prentiss can't cope with Shamrock's love for Coney Island and McGuire's Saturday night bathing ritual (the only night he scrubs down) gives Iris pause. A tenement fire breaks out in which Prentiss saves Iris and McGuire saves Shamrock and everyone realizes they are happier with those of their own class. The result is two divorces and two weddings. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Character actor Theodore Roberts was better known for his scene-stealing supporting roles than he was as a star in his own right. But he gets the opportunity to shine in this heart-warming drama based on the old play by Denman Thompson. Its small town theme was especially popular in an ever-more fast-paced era which still had its roots in rural America. Josh Whitcomb (Roberts), known as "Uncle Josh," is a kind-hearted soul who always sees the best in those around him. His optimism, however, is put to the test when his son, Reuben (Harrison Ford), is accused of a theft committed by Len Holbrook (James Mason). Whitcomb practically goes broke in his attempt to protect Reuben. Then a cyclone hits the little town. Reuben braves the storm to save his sweetheart, Ann (Fritzi Ridgeway), from jumping off the local "lover's leap." Meanwhile, Len confesses his guilt to his father, Eph Holbrook (George Fawcett). Holbrook drags his boy to Whitcomb, asking that he be the one to suggest the proper punishment. But Whitcomb has no taste for vengeance and insists that Holbrook should forgive Len. Incidentally, Roberts often stole scenes with the cunning way he handled his cigars -- here, for once, there is nary a cigar in sight. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Even though Thomas Meighan was well-cast in this comedy-drama, meant as sort of a lower-echelon Miracle Man, it's that scene-stealer, Theodore Roberts, who runs away with the show. Meighan plays Chick Harris, a thief who picks an old man's pocket at Grand Central Station. The old man, a country dweller, is so distraught at having lost his life savings that Harris returns the money. He retires to the small town of St. Claire, where he plans to go straight, and boards at the home of Colonel Williams (Charles Ogle), where he falls in love with the Colonel's niece, Alvah Morley (Pauline Starke). He also finds work with real estate agent Frank Tine (Charles K. French). But then conman Sky Blue (Roberts), a former associate of Harris' arrives in town. He plans to swindle the villagers by claiming he is collecting donations for a seminary. Much to Blue's consternation, the newly honest Harris runs him out of town. In addition, he discovers that his own boss is a fraud. Blue's presence has revealed too much of Harris' history to Alvah, so he confesses all. She forgives him his past, and the couple remain happily together. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Cecil B. DeMille's much-maligned cinemadaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's The Affairs of Anatol holds up better than its reputation suggests. Wallace Reid stars as New York socialite Anatol DeWitt Spencer, who after only a few day's marriage has become bored with his new bride Vivian (Gloria Swanson). In search of new romantic vistas, Anatole takes up his old flame Emilie (Wanda Hawley), who repays the "favor" by two-timing him. Briefly returning to his wife, Anatole attempts another extramarital adventure with Annie Elliot (Agnes Ayres), whose tear-stained tales of a tragic life are but a subterfuge to disguise her larcenous streak. Finally, Anatole dallies with Satan Synne (Bebe Daniels), "the wickedest woman in New York"-who turns out to be a virtuous housewife, hoping to raise money for her seriously ill husband. At long last, Anatole decides that he's better off with Vivian, who by now has grown tired of him. In reviewing The Affairs of Anatol, Photoplay magazine said laconically "Cecil B. DeMille, not Arthur Schnitzler. We leave it to you which gentleman has pleased our public more." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jim Glover (Wallace Reid) is an engineer in charge of constructing a railroad to the sea. He gives the company president Gage (Theodore Roberts) a tour of the area of land coveted for its use as a short cut that can save hours on the journey. After the officials visit a recently constructed dam, the train makes a stop in a dull town, and Gage's daughter Laura (Agnes Ayers) throws a charity bazaar to combat the boredom. Jim puts together a mock-holdup that saves the event from financial ruin, endearing Laura to him. Later, an accident traps three workers in a cave, and Jim is called away to rescue the victims. While he is gone, the villain Harrison (Lloyd Whitlock) tries to claim the land slated for the railroad shortcut for himself. Jim must save the men, claim the land parcel and win the girl before all is lost. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

The ill-fated Wallace Reid -- who would die of morphine addiction in 1923 -- was in top form in this Paramount action picture. Reid's team of director Frank Urson and screenwriter Byron Morgan gave him a clever vehicle, and his supporting cast, which included lovely Agnes Ayers and Paramount's scene-stealing character actor Theodore Roberts, was excellent. Pat MacMurran (Roberts), owner of the Patko auto firm, has been against racing ever since his driver, Jimmy Rodman (Lucien Littlefield), was seriously injured when Howdy Zeeker (Guy Oliver), driver for rival firm Ronado, smashed into his car on purpose. MacMurran allows his daughter, Virginia (Ayers), to become engaged to Ronado driver Dusty Rhoades (Reid) only when he promises never to race again. But on their wedding day, another Ronado driver, Tyler Hellis (Jack Richardson) entices Rhoades into a race and MacMurran calls off the ceremony. Rhoades and Virginia elope anyway, and her father follows in hot pursuit. Both men are arrested for speeding and Rhoades is really in the doghouse. The Ronado company tries to trick Rhoades into racing for them, but when he discovers the scheme, he takes an old Patko car and enters against them. Not only does he come out ahead of the other cars, he hands the wheel over to Rodman for the last lap so he can have the joy of defeating Zeeker. Because the Patko car wins the race, Patko gets a big South American deal and Rhoades is back in good with his father-in-law. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide