''39 East'' is a 1920 American silent

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

produced by the Realart Picture Company (headed by Paramount Pictures's

Adolph Zukor Adolph Zukor (; hu, Zukor Adolf; January 7, 1873 – June 10, 1976) was a Hungarian-American film producer best known as one of the three founders of Paramount Pictures.Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'' (June 16, 1976), p. 76. He produ ...

), and starring Constance Binney reprising her role from the Broadway play. The film was directed by John S. Robertson. The film is based on the 1919 Broadway play of the same name by

Rachel Crothers Rachel Crothers (December 12, 1878 – July 5, 1958) was an American playwright and theater director known for her well-crafted plays that often dealt with feminist themes. Among theater historians, she is generally recognized as "the most succes ...

, which was a hit on Broadway with Binney starring.

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Penelope Penn (Binney), to financially aid others of the poor minister's family to which she belongs, goes to New York City and becomes one of the boardinghouse colony at "39 East." The identity of her business she keeps a mystery, thereby arousing the unsympathetic speculations of her fellow female boarders. She finds a champion and lover in Napoleon Gibbs Jr. (Denny), a young wealthy aristocrat, who helps her over many a rough spot during her boardinghouse life. Her chance to shine histrionically comes when there is a sudden refusal of the theater star, to whom she understudies, to go on while she is in the chorus. Penelope's success assures her family's future and brings the climax of her romance, which promises a "happy ever after" ending.

Cast

* Constance Binney as Penelope Penn * Reginald Denny as Napoleon Gibbs Jr. *

Alison Skipworth Alison Skipworth (born Alison Mary Elliott Margaret Groom; 25 July 18635 July 1952) was an English stage and screen actress. Early years Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, an ...

as Mrs. de Mailly *

Lucia Moore Lucia Moore (December 10, 1867 – April 1, 1932) was an American stage and silent film actress. She appeared in plays on Broadway from 1900 through 1932; often in works written by women playwrights, such as Rachel Crothers, Anita Loos, Clare Kumme ...

as Mrs. Smith *

Blanche Frederici Blanche L. Friderici (January 21, 1878 – December 23, 1933) was an American film and stage actress, sometimes credited as Blanche Frederici. Early years Friderici was a native of Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were William E. Friderici ...

as Miss McMasters *

Edith Gresham Edith is a feminine given name derived from the Old English words ēad, meaning 'riches or blessed', and is in common usage in this form in English, German, many Scandinavian languages and Dutch. Its French form is Édith. Contractions and vari ...

as Sadie Clarence *Mildred Arden as Myrtle Clarence *

Luis Alberni Luis Alberni (October 4, 1886 – December 23, 1962) was a Spanish-born American character actor of stage and films. Early years Alberni was born in Barcelona, Spain, on October 4, 1886. He acted in stock theater for four years in Marseille ...

as Count Gionelli *Albert Carroll as Dr. Hubbard *Frank Allworth as Timothy O'Brien

References

External links

* *
Still of Constance Binney and Reginald Denny from ''39 East''
(University of Washington, Sayre Collection) 1920 films 1920 comedy films 1920s American films 1920s English-language films American black-and-white films American films based on plays American silent feature films Films directed by John S. Robertson Silent American comedy films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub