The Drums of Jeopardy (1923 film)

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The Drums of Jeopardy
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Directed by Edward Dillon
Written by Alfred A. Cohn (titles)
Arthur Hoerl (writer)
A. Carle Palm (titles)
Based on The Drums of Jeopardy
by Harold McGrath
Produced by M.H. Hoffman (producer)
Starring Elaine Hammerstein
Wallace Beery
Cinematography James Diamond
Edited by Alfred A. Cohn
A. Carle Palm
Production
company
M.H. Hoffman Inc.
Distributed by Truart Film
Release date
  • November 1923 (1923-11)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Drums of Jeopardy is a 1923 American silent mystery film directed by Edward Dillon, written by Arthur Hoerl and featuring Wallace Beery. [1] It is based on the 1920 novel of the same name by Harold McGrath which was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post. [2] The film was released by Tru-art Film Company in November 1923. [3] [4] [5] The name of the villain in the story was originally called Boris Karlov, but when the actor Boris Karloff rose to prominence circa 1923, the character's name was changed to Gregor Karlov to avoid confusion. It was changed back to Boris again in the 1931 remake of the film which starred Warner Oland as the villain. [1]

Contents

Producer M. H. Hoffman rose to prominence in Hollywood as a result of this film's success. He later became president of Tiffany Pictures, and founded Allied Pictures in 1931. Actress Elaine Hammerstein (the daughter of Arthur Hammerstein) also starred in the 1915 film version of The Moonstone, but her career declined after the end of the silent film era. She and her politician husband were killed in a car accident in Mexico in 1948. [6]

Plot

As described in a film magazine review, [7] Jerome Hawksley, confidential secretary to Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, is bequeathed upon the death of the Duke during the Russian Revolution two jewels known as the "Drums of Jeopardy." Because the jewels are of great value and believed to possess a supernatural power, Gregor Karlov attempts to secure them. The jewels are sent to the United States with a trusted friend and given to Banker Burrows for safekeeping. Gregor, in an attempt to steal the jewels, kills the banker and kidnaps Jerome. Dorothy Burrows teams with Cutty, a secret service man, and are determined to bring the culprit to justice. Gregor is traced to Little Russia, a café in New York City, and is killed during a fight. Jerome and Dorothy agree to marry and the jewels are returned to him.

Cast

Preservation

A copy of The Drums of Jeopardy is housed at the Library of Congress. [8]

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Figures of the Night (German:Nachtgestalten) is a 1920 German silent horror film written, directed and produced by Richard Oswald and starring Paul Wegener, Conrad Veidt, Reinhold Schünzel and Erna Morena. It is based on the novel Eleagabal Kuperus by Karl Hans Strobl. Strobl was the editor of a German horror fiction magazine called Der Orchideengarten which was said to have been influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Strobl was an anti-Semitic and later willingly joined the Nazi Party, which may explain why he has become an obscure literary figure today.

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References

  1. 1 2 Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era. Midnight Marquee Press. p. 259. ISBN   978-1936168-68-2.
  2. Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era. Midnight Marquee Press. p. 211. ISBN   978-1936168-68-2.
  3. "The Drums of Jeopardy". afi.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  4. "The Drums of Jeopardy". AllMovie. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  5. "The Drums of Jeopardy". TCM.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  6. Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era. Midnight Marquee Press. p. 260. ISBN   978-1936168-68-2.
  7. Morgan, Len (March 22, 1924). "Box Office Reviews: The Drums of Jeopardy". Exhibitors Trade Review. New York: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 24. Retrieved October 6, 2022.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  8. Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: The Drums of Jeopardy