Frank Mills Movies

Those Who Dance is not so much a film as a "class reunion" for several former silent-screen favorites. Monte Blue stars as Dan Hogan, a cop who poses as a Detroit gangster, the better to ferret out the murderer of his brother. He does this as much for himself as for his sweetheart Nora Brady (Lila Lee), whose own brother Tim (William Janney) has been accused of the crime. The real villain is Diamond Joe Jennings (William "Stage" Boyd), who is ultimately betrayed by his mistress Kitty (Betty Compson). The title, of course, is derived from the old proverb that ends "must pay the piper." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Told in flashback by an aging clergyman, Wild Honey is the story of the relationship between young frontier pastor Holbrook (Frank Mills and a raucous dance-hall gal named Wild Honey (Doris Kenyon). Sunday after Sunday, Holbrook denounces the "sinful" heroine from the pulpit, but for some reason Wild Honey never misses a church service. It seems that the heroine carries a torch for the dynamic young pastor, ultimately taking a bullet in her head to save his life. His story over, the elderly clergyman, who of course is Pastor Holbrook, introduces his matronly wife, who of course is the former Wild Honey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When J. Winthrop Drake (Warren Cook) brings his daughter Carlotta (Dolores Cassinelli) home from Italy, he tells his wife (Grace Reals) he is the girl's guardian because he wants his prior marriage kept a secret. Carlotta marries Curtis Austin (Frank Mills), but a suitor she rejected is bent on ruining her marriage and her reputation. He believes he has proof that she was having an affair with Drake, unaware that he is her father. When Carlotta tries to reason with the blackmailer, Austin believes she is having an affair with him and murders him. Austin is put on trial and to save him, Carlotta lies by saying that she actually did have an affair so that the homicide will be ruled justifiable. She gets him off, and when he finds out the truth -- that she is innocent of any wrongdoing -- they are reunited. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Lilly Morton (Florence Reed) lives with her husband Fred (Frank Mills) and her in-laws (Gus Weinberg and Alice Gale). Fred's business goes bankrupt and he asks his wife to give up her costly jewels and their fancy home so that he can pay his creditors. Lilly, who loves the finer things in life, is upset and resentful over this. One day, while in her new, more humble, surroundings she is visited by old friend Marion Garland (Leonore Harris). When Lilly complains about having no nice clothes, Marion suggests she get them "the way some other women do." Lilly doesn't like the idea at first but finally decides to go ahead and meet with a wealthy friend of Marion's, Richard Hewlett (Harry Lambert). Fred soon becomes suspicious of her absences, and one day, when a certain Mrs. Farrington (Kate Lesser) arranges a meeting for Lilly, she goes only to find her husband waiting for her. Delirious with anger, he strangles her. Then Lilly wakes up and finds it was just a horrible dream. This film was based on the successful stageplay by George Broadhurst and Abraham Schomer -- all, that is, except for the ending, which is pure cinematic hokum. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Mary Boland, best known for her scatterbrained comedy roles in talkies, made her screen debut as romantic lead Alma Clayton in Edge of the Abyss. Alma rejects poor-but-honest boyfriend Jim Sims (Willard Mack) to marry rich-but-neglectful attorney Neil Webster (Robert McKim). Bored with Webster, Alma tries desperately to woo back old beau. She is made to see the error of her ways by burglar Wayne
Burroughs (Frank Mills), who owes her husband a favor. Thomas H. Ince produced Edge of the Abyss, while C. Gardner Sullivan wrote the florid subtitles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide