Quincy Adams Sawyer
| Quincy Adams Sawyer | |
|---|---|
 1922 lobby card |
|
| Directed by | Clarence G. Badger |
| Written by | Charles Felton Pidgin (novel) Bernard McConville |
| Starring | John Bowers Blanche Sweet Lon Chaney Sr. Barbara La Marr |
| Cinematography | Rudolph J. Bergquist |
| Distributed by | Metro Pictures |
| Release date(s) | April 9, 1922 |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent English intertitles |
Quincy Adams Sawyer is a 1922 silent comedy/drama film directed by Clarence G. Badger. Distributed by Metro Pictures, the film is based on the 1900 novel Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks written by Charles Felton Pidgin.[1] It is now a lost film.
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[edit] Plot
Quincy Adams Sawyer is a young attorney who one day meets a girl in the park. He is immediately smitten with her, but is summoned to the village of Mason's Corners by his father's friend Deacon Pettengill to investigate a villain lawyer before he can pursue her. Meanwhile, Mrs. Putnam, an old woman, is being swindled by this villain lawyer, Obadiah Strout. Putnam's daughter Lindy, a natural vamp, attempts to seduce Sawyer. He shows interest, until he finds out who the girl from the parc is: Alice, Pettengill's niece who has become blind since their first meeting.
Despite her being visionally impaired, Sawyer falls in love with Alice and they romance each other. Meanwhile, Strout attempts to scare away Sawyer and convinces Abner Stiles, who once committed a murder, that Sawyer is in town to investigate him. Lindy, on the other hand, tries to get rid of Alice and, with the help from Strout, Lindy lures her onto a boat, after which the rope is cut. The little boat is sent adrift and she is off to the water falls.
Lindy is initially glad to lose Alice, but soon regrets her decision. She rushes to Quincy and tells him the entire truth. Quincy, fearing Alice's death, runs to the water falls and rescues her from a fatal fall. Overcome by excitement, Alice's vision is restored and she is reunited with Sawyer. Her father is unaware that his daughter has been saved and becomes convinced that Strout has killed her. He grabs a revolver and attempts to shoot Strout, but he appears to have arrived too late. Stiles, who realized he was being lied to, has killed Strout in a rage.[2][3]
[edit] Cast
- John Bowers as Quincy Adams Sawyer
- Blanche Sweet as Alice Pettengill
- Lon Chaney as Obadiah Strout
- Barbara La Marr as Lindy Putnam
- Elmo Lincoln as Abner Stiles
- Louise Fazenda as Mandy Skinner
- Joseph J. Dowling as Nathaniel Sawyer
- Claire McDowell as Mrs. Putnam
- Edward Connelly as Deacon Pettengill
- June Elvidge as Betsy Ann Ross
- Gale Henry as Samanthey
[edit] Reception
Film magazine Moving Picture World was uninspired by the film's story, but called it an enteratining film.[3] The New York Times thought the film was 'superficial' and stated that not even Lon Chaney's acting could save it.[3] Variety praised 'the fearful hokum purveyed in the story' and was especially positive about Chaney and Elmo Lincoln.[3] Barbara La Marr received favorable reviews from the critics as well, and the film was a success at the box office.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Info "Screenplay Info for Quincy Adams Sawyer (1922)". Turner Classic Movies. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=816&category=Screenplay Info. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ "Review Summary". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/107065/Quincy-Adams-Sawyer/overview. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ a b c d "Synopsis for 'Quincy Adams Sawyer'". A Lon Chaney website. http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/131.html. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ "The Legendary Barbara La Marr". Classic Images. http://www.classicimages.com/past_issues/view/?x=/1996/may/barblamarr.html. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
