The Deadlier Sex
The Deadlier Sex | |
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Directed by | Robert Thornby |
Story by | Fred Myton (screenplay) Bayard Veiller (screen story) |
Produced by | Jesse D. Hampton |
Starring | Blanche Sweet Winter Hall Boris Karloff (small role) |
Cinematography | Charles E. Kaufman |
Production company | Jesse D. Hampton Productions |
Distributed by | Pathé Exchange |
Release date |
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Running time | 6 reels (60 minutes) |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Deadlier Sex is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Robert Thornby which stars Blanche Sweet and features Boris Karloff, and was distributed by Pathé Exchange.[1] The screenplay was written by Fred Myton, based on a story by Bayard Veiller. It was filmed in Truckee, California. This film was recently restored by the Academy Film Archive and still exists.
Plot[]
Mary Willard (Sweet), who has taken control of her father's interests after his death, has become so exasperated at the unscrupulous business practices of her competitor Harvey Judson (Hamilton) that she has him kidnapped to teach him a lesson and protect her shareholders against him.
When Harvey wakes up in the middle of a forest, he initially believes that robbery was the motive until he discovers that no money was taken. He tries to bribe his guide to take him to the nearest settlement but to no avail, and, after two fistfights with a Frenchman (Karloff?) who is also in love with Mary, eventually comes up with a scheme which leads to his being rescued by his friends.
When Harvey finds that Mary was behind the kidnapping, they argue and he accuses her of trying to ruin his business. While on the way to the nearest train station, they have an automobile accident that nearly kills them. At the station, after they are told that the government has seized their property, Mary and Harvey decide to join forces and work together in the future.[2]
Cast[]
- Blanche Sweet as Mary Willard
- Winter Hall as Henry Willard
- Roy Laidlaw as Huntley Green
- Mahlon Hamilton as Harvey Judson
- Russell Simpson as Jim Willis
- Boris Karloff as Jules Borney, fur trader
Reception[]
While the outdoor scenes were appreciated and the cast described as strong, the story was criticized as being illogical and the characters undeveloped.[2]
Tagline: "A Drama of a Modern Girl in Whose Breast Flame the Spirits of Mona Lisa, Cleopatra and Sappho. A Drama of Big Emotions Set in the Big Outdoors. A Super Production You'll Long Remember!" (print ad in the Bourbon News, ((Paris, Kentucky)) 6 December 1921)
Preservation status[]
The Deadlier Sex was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2014.[3] The restored print was shown on June 1, 2015 at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: The Deadlier Sex". silentera.com. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ^ a b "The Deadlier Sex: Illogical Story Lacking in Many Points". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 21 (14): 2991. March 27, 1920. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ^ "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Deadlier Sex. |
- The Deadlier Sex at IMDb
- The Deadlier Sex at AllMovie
- Stills at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival website
- 1920 films
- 1920 comedy films
- American films
- American black-and-white films
- American comedy films
- American silent feature films
- Films directed by Robert Thornby
- Films shot in California
- Pathé Exchange films