The Unknown Purple
| The Unknown Purple | |
|---|---|
_-_1.jpg) Advertisement | |
| Directed by | Roland West[1] |
| Written by | Roland West Paul Schofield Alfred A. Cohn (titles) |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Oliver T. Marsh[1] |
| Edited by | Alfred A. Cohn[2] |
Production company | Carlos Productions[1] |
| Distributed by | Truart Film Corporation[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Unknown Purple is a lost[3] 1923 American silent mystery film that was written and directed by Roland West.[4][5]
Plot
[edit]After his release from prison, an inventor develops an eerie purple light that renders him invisible, enabling him to seek revenge on his unfaithful wife and his crooked business partner.
Cast
[edit]- Henry B. Walthall as Peter Marchmont [1]
- Alice Lake as Jewel Marchmont
- Stuart Holmes as James Dawson
- Helen Ferguson as Ruth Marsh
- Frankie Lee as Bobbie
- Dorothy Phillips as Mrs. Freddie Goodlittle
- Ethel Grey Terry as Leslie Bradbury
- James Morrison as Leslie Bradbury
- Johnny Arthur as Freddie Goodlittle
- Richard Wayne as George Allison
- Brinsley Shaw as Hawkins
- Mike Donlin as Burton
Production
[edit]Film historian Scott MacQueen cited "The Vanishing Men", a treatment West had targeted for film in 1921, as the inspiration for the film.[6] In that way, it’s also inspired by H.G. Wells’ novel The Invisible Man, which wouldn’t get a proper adaptation until a decade later in 1933. The film was adapted from a stage play which was written by Roland West and Carlyle Moore.[1] Comedian Johnny Arthur made his feature-length debut in The Unknown Purple.[7]
Release
[edit]The Unknown Purple was released in October 1923.[2]
Reception
[edit]In a contemporary review, Variety described the film as an "exceptionally well-made picture - among the best of its type - a mystery."[1] The review praised the photography of Oliver Marsh and the acting by Henry Walthall and Alice Lake.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Willis 1985, p. 17.
- ^ a b c d Soister 2004, p. 30.
- ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Unknown Purple
- ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Unknown Purple
- ^ Progressive Silent Film List: The Unknown Purple at silentera.com
- ^ Soister 2004, p. 31.
- ^ Soister 2004, p. 35.
Bibliography
[edit]- Willis, Donald, ed. (1985). Variety's Complete Science Fiction Reviews. Garland Publishing Inc. ISBN 0-8240-6263-9.
- Soister, John T. (2004). Up from the Vault: Rare Thrillers of the 1920s and 1930s. McFarland. ISBN 0786417455.
External links
[edit]
- The Unknown Purple at IMDb
- Advertisement at silenthollywood.com
- 1923 films
- 1923 lost films
- 1920s American films
- 1920s science fiction films
- American black-and-white films
- American films based on plays
- American silent feature films
- Films directed by Roland West
- Lost American mystery films
- Lost science fiction films
- Silent mystery films
- Silent science fiction films
- 1920s English-language films
- English-language science fiction films
- English-language mystery films