An Enemy Of Men is a 1925 American silent melodrama film directed by Frank R. Strayer from an original script by Douglas Bronston. It stars Dorothy Revier, Cullen Landis, and Caesare Gravina,[2] and was released by Columbia Pictures on July 1, 1925.
| An Enemy Of Men | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank R. Strayer |
| Written by | Douglas Bronston |
| Starring | Dorothy Revier Cullen Landis Caesare Gravina |
| Cinematography | Frank B. Good |
Production company | Waldorf Productions |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot
editAs described in a film magazine review,[3] because of her sister's betrayal and subsequent death, Norma Bennett takes a vow to make all men pay. She becomes a night club favorite and is courted by John Hurd, who is the man who ruined her sister. Dr. Phil Ordway is in love with her, but she refuses his offer of marriage. When she discovers the identity of John as her sister's betrayer, she takes a gun and goes to the cabaret to shoot him, but he dies by another's hand. She then agrees and weds Dr. Ordway.
Cast list
edit- Dorothy Revier as Norma Bennett
- Cullen Landis as Dr. Phil Ordway
- Caesare Gravina as Tony Caruso
- Charles Clary as John Hurd
- Leo White as Roberti
- Barbara Luddy as Janet
- Virginia Marshall as Baby Janet
- Margaret Landis as Miss Ordway
Production
editWhile the American Film Institute's database gives an opening date of July 1, 1925, Motion Picture News gives the world premiere date of July 20, at the Strand Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.[4]
Reception
editThe Bridgeport Telegram gave the film a lukewarm review, calling Revier and Landis' work "capable", with the rest of the performers being an "able cast".[5] The Shreveport Times called the script "a powerful drama of woman's bitter life".[6] The Chicago Tribune gave the picture a lukewarm review, stating that "there's nothing new or original about the story, which is, if you get down to brass tacks, far from convincing." However, they felt the acting was good, while the direction and photography were good as well.[7]
Preservation and status
editA copy of the film is held at EYE Film Institute Netherlands.[8]
References
edit- ^ "An Enemy Of Men: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
- ^ Munden p. 215
- ^ Pardy, George T. (January 30, 1926), "Pre-Release Review of Features: An Enemy of Men", Motion Picture News, 33 (5), New York City, New York: Motion Picture News, Inc.: 598, retrieved February 1, 2023
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "World Premiere is Given: Enemy of Men". Motion Picture News. August 1, 1925. p. 550. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ "Shura Buluwa Gives Wonderful Performance". The Bridgeport Telegram. November 6, 1925. p. 26. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Saenger Theater". The Shreveport Times. October 28, 1925. p. 26. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Here's a Sensation". The Chicago Tribune. September 19, 1925. p. 15. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "An Enemy Of Men [motion picture]". American Silent Feature Film Survival Database. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
Bibliography
edit- Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press, 1997.