Smilin' Through (1922 film)
| Smilin' Through | |
|---|---|
 1922 music sheet with movie cover | |
| Directed by | Sidney Franklin |
| Written by | Alan Langdon Martin (aka Jane Murfin and Jane Cowl) (original play) James Ashmore Creelman (scenario) Sidney Franklin (scenario) |
| Produced by | Norma Talmadge Joseph M. Schenck |
| Starring | Norma Talmadge Harrison Ford Wyndham Standing |
| Cinematography | J. Roy Hunt Charles Rosher |
| Music by | silent |
| Distributed by | First National Pictures |
Release date | February 13, 1922 |
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1 million (US/Canada)[1][2] |
Smilin' Through is a 1922 silent film based on the 1919 play of the same name, written by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin (together under the pseudonym Alan Langdon Martin). The film starred Norma Talmadge, Harrison Ford, and Wyndham Standing. It was co-written and directed by Sidney Franklin, who also directed the more famous 1932 remake at MGM. The film was produced by Talmadge and her husband Joseph M. Schenck for her company, the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation. It was released by First National Pictures. Popular character actor Gene Lockhart made his screen debut in this film.[3][4]
The story is essentially the same as the popular Jane Cowl play, with Talmadge in the dual role of Kathleen and Moonyean. Kathleen, a young Irish woman, is in love with Kenneth Wayne but is prevented from marrying him by her guardian John Carteret. John is haunted by memories of his thwarted love for Kathleen's aunt, Moonyean.
The story was an especially popular one and was filmed twice more by MGM: in 1932 with Norma Shearer and 1941 with Jeanette MacDonald.
Cast
- Norma Talmadge - Kathleen/ Moonyeen
- Harrison Ford - Kenneth Wayne/Jeremiah Wayne
- Wyndham Standing - John Carteret
- Alec B. Francis - Dr. Owen
- Glenn Hunter - Willie Ainsley
- Grace Griswold - Ellen
- Miriam Battista - Lil Mary, Moonyeen's sister
- Gene Lockhart - Village Rector (billed Eugene Lockhart)
Reception
Mary Pickford praised Talmadge's performance and the film's sets, costumes, and entertaining story. "It deals with a subject which interests most women—that of spiritualism—which is so delicately and beautifully handled that it could offend no one," she described. It was one of her favorite films.[5]
DVD release
Smilin' Through was released on Region 0 DVD-R by Alpha Video on July 7, 2015.[6]
See also
- Smilin' Through (1932 film)
- Smilin' Through (1941 film)
- Smilin' Through (play) 1919
- Smilin' Through (song)
References
- ^ Variety list of box office champions for 1922
- ^ Quigley Publishing Company "The All Time Best Sellers", International Motion Picture Almanac 1937-38 (1938) accessed 19 April 2014
- ^ Smilin Through at the silentera.com database
- ^ Smilin Through as performed on Broadway during the 1919-1920 theatrical season; Jane Cowl starring
- ^ Howe, Herbert (January 1924). "Mary Pickford's Favorite Stars and Films". Photoplay. New York: Photoplay Publishing Company. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "Alpha Video - Smilin' Through (1922) (Silent)". Retrieved 2015-06-26.
External links
