''Mighty Lak' a Rose'' is a 1923 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 ...

produced and directed by

Edwin Carewe Edwin Carewe (March 3, 1883 – January 22, 1940) was an American motion picture director, actor, producer, and screenwriter. His birth name was Jay John Fox; he was born in Gainesville, Texas. Career After brief studies at the Universities of ...

and distributed by Associated First National, later

First National Pictures First National Pictures was an American motion picture production and distribution company. It was founded in 1917 as First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc., an association of independent theatre owners in the United States, and became the count ...

. This film stars James Rennie,

Anders Randolf Anders Randolf (December 18, 1870 – July 2, 1930) was a Danish American actor in American films from 1913 to 1930. Biography Anders was born in Viborg, Denmark, where he became a professional soldier in the Danish army and a world-class sw ...

, and

Dorothy Mackaill Dorothy Mackaill (March 4, 1903 – August 12, 1990) was a British-American actress, most active during the silent-film era and into the pre-Code era of the early 1930s. Early life Born in Sculcoates, Kingston upon Hull in 1903 (although she l ...

in her first starring role.

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 ...

, Jerome Trevor (Hardy), international pianist, pays a visit to an orphanage and is deeply struck by the talent of blind lass Rose Duncan (Mackaill) for violin playing. Learning that she has an uncle in New York City, he decides to make arrangements by which she can live with her relative and be advanced in her art. But while on her way, her uncle is killed by an automobile. Rose at

Pennsylvania Station Pennsylvania Station (often abbreviated Penn Station) is a name applied by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) to several of its grand passenger terminals. Several are still in active use by Amtrak and other transportation services; others have been ...

meets gang leader Bull Morgan (Randolf). In order to avoid arrest, Bull poses as her uncle, intending to desert her later that day. Later some gangsters direct Rose to Bull's headquarters. Bull realizes that the young blind woman could become a useful aid and she becomes a member of the gang. Jimmy Harrison (Rennie), a member of the gang, falls under the magic of Roses's wonderful music and her gentle ways. Rose is unaware that she is consorting with criminals and utilized to attract people to the front of a house while the gang operates in the rear. Finally Jimmy and Bull engage in a fight over Rose, and she is accidentally hit over the head and knocked senseless. While she is ill, her pleading with the gang has such good results that even Bull gives in and all resolve to take the straight path. However, after a famous surgeon states that Rose's sight can be restored by an operation, the gang decides to commit one final robbery to obtain the money. As a result, Jimmy is arrested and sent to jail. Jerome finds Rose and her music training is assured and her sight restored. Unaware of his arrest, she thinks Jimmy has deserted her. At the end of two years, Rose makes a successful debut. Jimmy, finally released, goes with his old companions to the reception to honor Rose. Although her gratitude to Jerome has led to an engagement with him, she breaks it in favor of the faithful Jimmy.

Cast

* James Rennie as Jimmy Harrison * Sam Hardy as Jerome Trevor *

as Bull Morgan * Harry Short as 'Slippery Eddie' Foster *

as Rose Duncan * Helene Montrose as 'Hard-Boiled' Molly Malone *

Paul Panzer Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter (November 3, 1872 – August 16, 1958), known professionally as Paul Panzer, was a German-American silent film actor. He appeared in more than 330 films between 1905 and 1952. Biography Panzer was born in Würzburg. ...

as Humpty Logan *

Dora Mills Adams Dora Mills Adams (October 24, 1874 – July 31, 1943) was an American film actress. She is best known for her appearance in the short film '' Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde'' as Mrs. Lanyon. Career Mills entered the New York film industry near it ...

as Mrs. Trevor

Preservation

''Mighty Lak' a Rose'' is considered to be a

lost film A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress. Conditions During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy o ...

.Progressive Silent Film List: ''Mighty Lak' a Rose''
at silentera.com

References

External links

* *
The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: ''Mighty Lak' a Rose''

Surviving still: James Rennie, Dorothy Mackaill, pooch
(University of Washington, Sayre collection) {{DEFAULTSORT:Mighty Lak' a Rose 1923 films 1923 drama films Silent American drama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Films directed by Edwin Carewe First National Pictures films Lost American films 1923 lost films Lost drama films 1920s American films