''Blind Man's Eyes'' is a 1919 American silent

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by John Ince and starring

Bert Lytell Bertram Lytell (February 24, 1885 – September 28, 1954) was an American actor in theater and film during the silent film era and early talkies. He starred in romantic, melodrama, and adventure films. Background Born in New York City, Lyt ...

Frank Currier Frank Currier (September 4, 1857 – April 22, 1928) was an American film and stage actor and director of the silent era. Career Similar to Theodore Roberts, Kate Lester, Ida Waterman, and William H. Crane, Currier had a long and successfu ...

, and

Naomi Childers Naomi Weston Childers (November 15, 1892 – May 9, 1964), was an American silent film actress whose career lasted until the mid-20th century. English ancestry, child actress She was born of English parentage in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Later ...

, based on the 1916 novel '' The Blind Man's Eyes'' by

Edwin Balmer Edwin Balmer (July 26, 1883 – March 21, 1959) was an American science fiction and Mystery fiction, mystery writer. Biography Balmer was born in Chicago to Helen Clark (Pratt) and Thomas Balmer. In 1909, he married Katharine MacHarg, sister o ...

and William MacHarg. It was released on March 10, 1919.

Plot

Hugh Overton has been falsely convicted of the murder of Matthew Latrone and sent to prison. In order to clear his name, he escapes and heads back to the scene of the crime, traveling under the name of Philip Eaton. While on the train he runs into Basil Santoine, a blind attorney who he knows has the evidence to prove his innocence. Latrone has also learned of Overton's trip and has sent his henchman, Donald Avery, to dispose of Eaton. Unfortunately, Avery mistakes Santoine for Eaton and attempts to kill him, but simply leaves him unconscious. When he awakes, Santoine suspects Eaton, due to his voice, who he had heard earlier in the evening, and which he remembered as he was one of the witnesses at Overton's trial. Santoine invite him back to his home, in order to figure out what his role is in everything. While under Santoine's roof, Eaton/Overton falls in love with Harriet, Basil's daughter, who refers to her as his "eyes", hence she is the "blind man's eyes". Overton knows that Santoine has evidence in his safe which will prove his innocence. Latrone, who everyone thinks is dead, also knows this. Both men attempt to break into Santoine's safe on the same night. Overton and Latrone struggle, but Latrone is shot and killed by Avery, who had come as backup to his employer. The evidence comes to light, and Overton is declared innocent, after which he and Harriet become a couple.

Cast

as Hugh Overton, aka Philip D. Eaton *

as Basil Santoine *

as Harriet Santoine *

Joseph Kilgour Joseph Kilgour (11 July 1863 – 21 April 1933) was a Canadian actor of the silent film era. He was a well-known veteran stage actor in Broadway theatre before entering silent films. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1909 and 1926. Kil ...

as Matthew Latrone * Richard Morris as Gabriel Warden * Morris Foster as Donald Avery *

Gertrude Claire Gertrude Claire (July 16, 1852 – April 28, 1928) was an actress of the American stage and Hollywood silent motion pictures. Biography Claire was born in Chicago, Illinois, and began appearing onstage at the age of 16. She played minor roles ...

as Mrs. Overton *

Mignon Anderson Mignon Anderson (March 31, 1892 – February 25, 1983) was an American film and stage actress. Her career was at its peak in the 1910s. Early years Born in Baltimore, Anderson was the daughter of Hallie Howard and Frank Anderson, who were also ...

as Edith Overton * Effie Conley

Production

Production on the film began on January 6, 1919, as soon as Bert Lytell had returned from a stint in training for the U.S. Army. The first scenes of the picture were filmed at a newly constructed courtroom set on the Metro lot. It was revealed in mid-January that William Ince would direct the film, and Naomi Childers would be the female lead opposite Lytell. It was reported that by January 25 the film was approximately half-way completed. Some of the interiors had been filmed in a Pullman car located on the Metro lot. The Pullman car was specially built on the Metro lot, in their new large studio, and was built to standard Pullman specifications. Later Metro chartered a special train which traveled over 110 miles outside Los Angeles, the train consisted of an engine, a Pullman, and an obvservation car. Several scenes were shot inside the train, but many exterior shots were also filmed. In early February it was reported that other actors attached to the project included Joseph Kilgour, Frank Currier, Richard Morris, Morris Foster, Gertrude Claire, and Mignon Anderson. By the end of April, filming on the picture was almost completed, and a release date of March 10 was announced. The production was completed by March 1.

Reception

'' Exhibitors Herald'' gave the picture a positive review. They felt that the film had a unique twist in its plot, and the only downside they saw to the film was the unrelenting suspense. They felt the cast as a whole did a good job, and highlighted the performances of Lytell, Currier, and Childers. ''

Moving Picture World The ''Moving Picture World'' was an influential early trade journal for the American film industry, from 1907 to 1927. An industry powerhouse at its height, ''Moving Picture World'' frequently reiterated its independence from the film studios. I ...

'' also gave the film a positive review, calling it a "strong mystery story", and calling Bert Lytell's performance "excellent". They also applauded Ince's direction, as well as Childer's performance. ''

Picture-Play Magazine ''Picture Play'', originally titled ''Picture-Play Weekly'' was an American weekly magazine focusing on the film industry. Its first edition was published on April 10, 1915. It eventually transitioned from a weekly to a monthly magazine, before e ...

'' gave Lytell's performance high marks, saying that his characterization "is appealing from the very outset and which grows more appealing with each successive scene.

References

External links

* * * {{AFI film, 17337 Silent American drama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Metro Pictures films Films directed by John Ince 1919 drama films 1919 films 1910s English-language films 1910s American films