The Silent Watcher

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The Silent Watcher
Poster - the Silent Watcher.jpg
Film programme
Directed by Frank Lloyd
Written byJ. G. Hawks
Based on"The Altar on the Hill" (story)
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Starring
Cinematography Norbert Brodine [1]
Edited byEdward M. Roskam
Production
companies
Distributed by First National Pictures
Release date
  • October 5, 1924 (1924-10-05)(U.S.)
Running time
8 reels [1]
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Silent Watcher is a lost [4] 1924 American silent melodrama film [1] directed by Frank Lloyd. [1] It stars Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love. It was produced by Frank Lloyd Productions [2] /First National [3] and distributed by First National Pictures. It was based on the story "The Altar on the Hill" by Mary Roberts Rinehart. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Plot

John Steele (Bosworth), a lawyer running for Congress, breaks up with Lily Elliott (Bennett), a showgirl, to improve his campaign image. He goes to the apartment his secretary Joe Roberts (Hunter) rented for him to end things with Elliott. Shortly after, she kills herself. Police who oppose Steele treat her death as a murder case.

To protect Steele, Joe claims the apartment and relationship were his and is arrested. Joe's wife, Mary Roberts (Love), is devastated by the arrest. Joe can't explain he rented the apartment for Steele without exposing his employer, so Mary leaves him. Steele's campaign manager keeps the truth from her to protect the campaign.

After Elliott's death is ruled a suicide, Joe is released but finds Mary gone. Weakened by jail fever [a] and police brutality, he decides to kill himself. Before doing so, he puts on an apron and cleans the house, washing dishes and setting out milk. Mary returns and interrupts him. Steele wins the election and reconciles the couple by telling Mary the truth. [5] [6] [8]

Cast

Love as Mary Roberts Bessie Love in The Silent Watcher (1924).jpg
Love as Mary Roberts

Release and reception

Bennett as showgirl Lily Silent film actress Alma Bennett (SAYRE 5456).jpg
Bennett as showgirl Lily

Stills of Alma Bennett's dance number featured prominently in the promotion of the film. [9] On its release, it was shown in some theaters with the Mack Sennett comedy The Wild Goose Chaser, as well as The Color World. [3] Other theaters showed the film with the comedy Turn About. [10]

Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love received high praise for their performances, [3] [6] [11] [12] as did the screenplay. [12] Although the film itself was deemed tedious in parts, [11] the overall reviews were overwhelmingly positive. [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ A historical term for typhus or illness contracted from unsanitary jail conditions.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Young, R.G., ed. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film. Applause Books. p. 569. ISBN   978-1-55783-269-6.
  2. 1 2 Love, Bessie (1977). From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love. London: Elm Tree Books. p. 152. OCLC   734075937.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "'Silent Watcher,' Bessie Love and Glenn Hunter, at Capitol". The Reading Eagle. August 16, 1925. p. 16.
  4. ↑ "American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Silent Watcher". The Library of Congress.
  5. 1 2 3 "The Silent Watcher". The Register. Adelaide, SA. April 7, 1925. p. 3. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Jungmeyer, Jack (November 26, 1924). "Work of Glenn Hunter Makes 'The Silent Watcher' Worth Seeing". The Evening Independent.
  7. ↑ Rinehart, Mary Roberts (1925). Temperamental People. New York: A.L. Burt.
  8. 1 2 Pardy, George T. (November 1, 1924). "'Silent Watcher' Great Heart Drama". Exhibitor's Trade Review. p. 48.
  9. ↑ "The Silent Watcher". Exhibitor's Trade Review. October 11, 1924. pp. 44–50.
  10. ↑ "Stanford Theatre". The Stanford Daily. December 4, 1924. p. 4.
  11. 1 2 "The Aisle Seat". The Stanford Daily. Vol. 66, no. 43. December 3, 1924. p. 2.
  12. 1 2 Evans, Delight (December 1924). "New Screenplays". Screenland. Vol. 10, no. 3. p. 40.
  13. ↑ From various reviews:
    • Stonebraker, Ira (February 13, 1926). "Box Office Reports". The Reel Journal. p. 14. This picture was well liked by all who saw it, and had a good many compliments on same. Print and accessories good.
    • Newcomb, J.J. (February 27, 1926). "Box Office Reports". The Reel Journal. p. 18. No special but a very good program picture. Pleased all. Print fair. Advertising good.
    • Grain, D.E., Mrs. (March 27, 1926). "Box Office Reports". The Reel Journal. p. 14. A good picture—pleased all. We had several good comments on this one. Would like more like it. Print and advertising good.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    • Owen, J. (April 10, 1926). "Box Office Reports". The Reel Journal. p. 22. Seemed to please 90%. A mighty good picture. Little bit deep for some small towns.
    • Albrecht, C.M. (April 24, 1926). "Box Office Reports". The Reel Journal. p. 22. Very good picture. Drew well and was liked by almost everyone. Some very fine acting by Hunter and also by the rest of the cast. First Nationals always good.
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