The Man from Brodney's

The Man from Brodney's
Film poster
Directed by	David Smith
Written by	C. Graham Baker
Based on	The Man from Brodney's by George Barr McCutcheon
Produced by	Albert E. Smith
Starring	J. Warren Kerrigan
Production company	Vitagraph Company of America
Distributed by	Vitagraph Company of America
Release date	December 16, 1923 (1923-12-16)(New York City premiere)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The Man from Brodney's is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by David Smith and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Alice Calhoun, and Wanda Hawley. It was produced and released by the Vitagraph Company of America. ^{[1] [2]}

Plot

As described in a film magazine, ^[3] the law firm of Brodney and Company sends Hollingsworth Chase, an American, to the Island of Japat in the South Seas to represent the natives in a strange lawsuit. The Island of Japat, which has jewel mines of great value, is to go the grandchildren of its owners, provided that they marry within six months of the filing of the will. If the grandchildren fail to comply with the terms of the will, the Island will revert to the natives that live there. The natives, under the leadership of Rasula, make desperate attempts to bring about the deaths of the heirs. Chase joins forces against them. The infuriated natives make a mass attack on the mine operators and heirs, resulting in a terrific struggle. Just when it becomes impossible for the small group of men to hold out any longer, a United States destroyer comes to their aid. Rasula is killed, and the natives agree to a compromise under which the heirs agree to pay the government a fair royalty for the output of the mines. Princess Genevra, a European princess who had been visiting the Island of Japat for a rest, confesses to Chase that her love for him is greater than her love for any power, and that she intends to sacrifice her throne for him.

Cast

• J. Warren Kerrigan as Hollingsworth Chase
• Alice Calhoun as Princess Genevra
• Wanda Hawley as Lady Agnes Deppingham
• Miss DuPont as Mrs. Browne
• Pat O'Malley as Robert Browne
• Kathleen Key as Neenah
• Bertram Grassby as Rasula
• Glen Cavender as Selim

Production

While the film was primarily shot at the Vitagraph Studio, ^[4] two Destroyers were rented out to the film production for use in the picture, with several scenes being taken onboard the ships in addition to their exteriors. Production was delayed by a storm. ^[5]

Reception

The Man from Brodney was received positively upon release. In a review written by Michael L. Simmons for Exhibitor's Trade Review, he described the production as a "spectacular adventure" and "clean, wholesome entertainment." ^[6] Mary Kelly of Moving Picture World was very positive about the production and called it "deeply impressive." ^[7]

Preservation

The film survives incomplete or abridged by a collector. ^[8]

References

1. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films 1893–1993: The Man from Brodney's AFI Catalog of Feature Films Retrieved November 18, 2022.
2. Progressive Silent Film List: The Man from Brodney's at silentera.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
3. "The Man from Brodney's". Exhibitors Trade Review. 15 (8). New York, NY: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 16. January 19, 1924. Retrieved November 18, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
4. Exhibitor's Trade Review. New York: Exhibitor's trade review, inc. September 1, 1923. p. 595.
5. Film News. Washington D.C.: Film News Publishing Co. October 15, 1923. p. 6.
6. Simmons, Michael L. (December 8, 1923). Exhibitor's Trade Review. New York City: Exhibitor's trade review, inc. p. 25.
7. Moving Picture World. New York: Chalmers Publishing Company. December 8, 1923. pp. 566–567.
8. "The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Man from Brodney's". October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2025.

External links

• The Man from Brodney's at IMDb