''Deserted at the Altar'' is a 1922 American

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

melodrama directed by

William K. Howard William K. Howard (June 16, 1899 – February 21, 1954) was an American film director, writer, and producer. Considered one of Hollywood's leading directors, he directed over 50 films from 1921 to 1946, including '' The Thundering Herd'' (1925), ...

and produced by Phil Goldstone Productions. It stars

Bessie Love Bessie Love (born Juanita Horton; September 10, 1898April 26, 1986) was an American-British actress who achieved prominence playing innocent, young girls and wholesome leading ladies in silent and early sound films. Her acting career spanned e ...

and

Tully Marshall Tully Marshall (born William Phillips; April 10, 1864 – March 10, 1943) was an American character actor. He had nearly a quarter century of theatrical experience before his debut film appearance in 1914 which led to a film career spanning alm ...

. The film is preserved at the

Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...

Production

The film is a

Poverty Row Poverty Row is a slang term used to refer to Hollywood films produced from the 1920s to the 1950s by small (and mostly short-lived) B movie studios. Although many of them were based on (or near) today's Gower Street in Hollywood, the term did ...

( Gower Street) production, and was filmed in only ten days.

Plot

Two villains plan to steal the inheritance of Anna Moore (Love) by marrying her. When her brother Tommy (Lee) is hit by a car, the wealthy driver pays the doctor bills, and falls in love with Anna. This thwarts the villains' initial plans, so they go on to hire a woman to pose as the driver's estranged partner and mother of his child, and stop the wedding. When the woman reveals her true identity, the villains are exposed, and Anna and her rich fiancé are reunited.

Cast

Promotion and release

The film is notable for its then-novel methods of promotion, which included stunts, such as weddings in movie theaters, and staged "Just Married" car rides around town. On its release, the film was shown with the short ''Fighting Blood'' in some theaters.

Reception

Generally, the film received positive reviews, although some reviewers thought that "Director Howard has used nearly two reels too much in telling the story" and the plot twists were not believable. There was speculation that more clear title would have improved theater attendance even more. The film was commercially successful.Three examples: * * *

References

External links

* * * * {{BFI, 4ce2b6a8ae8df, Deserted at the Altar 1922 drama films 1922 films American black-and-white films Silent American drama films American films based on plays American silent feature films 1920s English-language films Films based on works by Grace Miller White Films directed by William K. Howard Melodrama films 1920s American films