To Have and to Hold (1916 film)

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To Have and to Hold
Mae Murray, Tom Forman, and Wallace Reid in To Have and to Hold.jpg
Scene from the film
Directed by George Melford
Screenplay by Margaret Turnbull
Based on To Have and to Hold
by Mary Johnston
Produced by Jesse Lasky
Starring Mae Murray
Wallace Reid
CinematographyPercy Hilburn (French)
Distributed by Famous Players–Lasky Corporation
Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • March 5, 1916 (1916-03-05)(United States)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

To Have and to Hold is a lost [1] 1916 American silent adventure/drama film directed by George Melford. Based on the 1899 novel of the same name, the film starred Wallace Reid and Mae Murray in her film debut. [2]

Contents

The film is based on a novel by Mary Johnston which was turned into a play in 1901 by E. F. Boddington. The Broadway version starred Isabel Irving and Robert Loraine in the lead roles. Also in this play was a 20-year-old actor and aspiring playwright named Cecil B. DeMille. [3]

Wallace Reid and Mae Murray Wallace Reid and Mae Murray in To Have and to Hold.jpg
Wallace Reid and Mae Murray

Plot

According to a film magazine, [4] "To escape an unbearable marriage with the dissipated Lord Carnal, Lady Jocelyn Leigh, the ward of James I, flees to the Jamestown colony. Lord Carnal finally learns her whereabouts and arrives in Jamestown to find his prey already married to Captain Ralph Percy. After a long and hard tussle between the two men, Lord Carnal has to acknowledge himself defeated at all points. The girl, who has stuck by her husband through thick and thin, realizes the worth of the man whom she could not love at first and gives herself to him heart and soul. King James at last approves of the marriage of his ward."

Cast

Production

Rehearsals for To Have and to Hold were held in early January 1916, at the Lasky studios. [5] Two ships were constructed at San Pedro and were then sailed to Santa Catalina Island for exteriors. [6] A town was constructed on the Lasky lot to represent Jamestown, Virginia. [7]

Reception

Motion Picture News reviewer Peter Milne gave the film a positive review, describing the film as "lavish and spectacular." He praised Mae Murray's film debut as "one of the most appealing and attractive actresses that the screen has recruited from the stage" and called her "a star." The film was also praised for it's "clear and thrilling" story. [8]

Motography reviewer George W. Graves also gave the film a positive review, praising the cast for their performances and said "the story teems with adventure." [9]

Wid's Films and Film Folk review was mostly positive, as "still there are a few bad moments which detract." The reviewer disliked the scenes with the miniatures, as they appeared "unrealistic." The tinting and toning of the film was praised for it's complexity, creating the appearance of firelight on one side of the room and dark shadows on the other. [10]

Preservation

With no holdings located in archives, To Have and to Hold is considered a lost film. [1]

Other adaptations

In 1922, a second version was released once again by Paramount Pictures. It starred Bert Lytell and Betty Compson, and is also considered lost.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: To Have And To Hold". memory.loc.gov. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Mae Murray In Lasky's "To Have and To Hold"". The Moving Picture World. 27. World Photographic Publishing Company: 447. 1916.
  3. ↑ To Have and to Hold produced at the Knickerbocker Theatre, March 4, 1901 to April 1901; 40 performances; IBDb.com
  4. ↑ Motography, Chicago: Electricity Magazine Corporation, March 18, 1916, pp. 665–666PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. ↑ Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. January 8, 1916. p. 75.
  6. ↑ Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. January 29, 1916. p. 540.
  7. ↑ Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. January 29, 1916. p. 530.
  8. ↑ Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. March 11, 1916. p. 1465.
  9. ↑ Motography. Chicago: Electricity Magazine Corp. March 18, 1916. p. 651.
  10. ↑ Wid's Films and Film Folk. New York City: Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. March 9, 1916. p. 423.
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