The Altar Stairs
| The Altar Stairs | |
|---|---|
 Film still with Frank Mayo and Louise Lorraine | |
| Directed by | Lambert Hillyer |
| Written by | G. B. Lancaster (novel) George Hively Doris Schroeder |
| Starring | Frank Mayo Louise Lorraine |
| Cinematography | Dwight Warren |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Altar Stairs is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Lambert Hillyer and featuring Boris Karloff.[1] It is based on the novel of the same name by G. B. Lancaster. Its survival status is classified as unknown,[1] suggesting that it is a lost film.
Plot
Rod McLean (Mayo), a South Seas trader, saves derelict Tony Heritage (Hughes) from some natives, and Tony repays him by stealing his money and escaping to France. There he marries Joie (Lorraine), the daughter of Captain Jean Malet (Lanoe) who is soon to take a post in the South Seas. When the officer learns of Tony's record, he repudiates the marriage and takes Joie with him to the South Seas. Tony then turns up there, and Captain Malet, to keep him away from Joie, gives him a job helping Rod establish a new trading post on another island. Rod has fallen in love with Joie, but after he discovers that she is married (although he does not know to whom), he rejects her as a flirt.
Back at the new post, Rod discovers that Tony has gotten the natives drunk and they are burning the island chapel. He finds out that Tony is Joie's husband, but is stopped by the minister from killing him. Tony uses Rod's boat to escape to a steamer. Rod goes after him, followed by the minister who wants to prevent any killing, while Joie awaits the film's climax on the main island.[2]
Cast
- Frank Mayo as Rod McLean
- Louise Lorraine as Joie Malet
- Lawrence Hughes as Tony Heritage
- J. Jiquel Lanoe as Captain Jean Malet (as J.J. Lanoe)
- Harry De Vere as Blundell
- Hugh Thompson as John Strickland
- Boris Karloff as Hugo
- Dagmar Godowsky as Parete
- Nick De Ruiz as Tulli
See also
References
- ^ a b "Progressive Silent Film List: The Altar Stairs". Silent Era. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
- ^ "Illustrated Screen Report: The Altar Stairs". Exhibitor's Trade Review. 13 (3). East Stroudsberg, Pennsylvania: Exhibitor's Trade Review, Inc.: 155 December 16, 1922. Retrieved April 24, 2014.