''The Great Adventure'' is a 1921 American silent

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

film produced by

Whitman Bennett Whitman Bennett (1883–1968) was an American film producer and director of the silent era.Munden p.34 Selected filmography * ''The Truth About Husbands'' (1920) * ''The Devil's Garden'' (1920) * '' The Master Mind'' (1920) * '' Salvation Nell'' ...

and distributed by First National Pictures, then called Associated First National. The film was directed by Kenneth Webb and starred Lionel Barrymore.

Fredric March Fredric March (born Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel; August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an American actor, regarded as one of Hollywood's most celebrated, versatile stars of the 1930s and 1940s.Obituary '' Variety'', April 16, 1975, ...

made his screen debut in this film. The film is based upon the 1908 novel ''Buried Alive'' by

Arnold Bennett Enoch Arnold Bennett (27 May 1867 – 27 March 1931) was an English author, best known as a novelist. He wrote prolifically: between the 1890s and the 1930s he completed 34 novels, seven volumes of short stories, 13 plays (some in collaboratio ...

. It was remade in 1933 as ''

His Double Life ''His Double Life'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Broadway theatrical impresario and first time film director Arthur Hopkins with directorial input from the experienced William C. deMille, Cecil's older brother. It s ...

'' starring Lillian Gish. ''The Great Adventure'' is a surviving feature film held by the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...

.The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: ''The Great Adventure''
/ref>

Plot

As summarized in a film publication, Priam Farll (Barrymore), England's noted artist, goes to Warsaw with his valet Henry Leek (Braidon) to escape Lady Sophia Entwhistle (Broske), who is bound to wed him. Sophia follows him to Warsaw and, for the reason of not knowing what else to do, the artist becomes engaged to her. The next day he escapes and returns to London, where his valet dies. Priam gives the deceased valet's name as "Priam Farll" and assumes the valet's name as his own. He attends his own funeral in Westminster where he encounters Lady Sophia in deep mourning weeping bitterly. He leaves before she notices him. Among the valet's letters is one noting an appointment. Priam keeps the late valet's date which turns out to be with an widow who had answered Henry's matrimonial ad. Priam marries the woman under the name Henry Leek. Lack of funds causes Priam to resume his painting, and when his work is recognized he refuses to admit his identity. But when it develops that the late Leek had a wife and two children, who arrive and demand their rights, Priam begins to weaken and eventually proves that he is Priam Farll on the condition that his identity remain secret to protect against Lady Sophia's

breach of promise Breach of promise is a common law tort, abolished in many jurisdictions. It was also called breach of contract to marry,N.Y. Civil Rights Act article 8, §§ 80-A to 84. and the remedy awarded was known as heart balm. From at least the Middle ...

suit.

Cast

* Lionel Barrymore - Priam Farll *

Doris Rankin Doris Marie Rankin (August 24, 1887 – March 18, 1947) was an American stage and film actress. Biography Born in New York City, Rankin was the daughter of actor McKee Rankin and Mabel Bert. She was married to actor Lionel Barrymore from 190 ...

- Alice Challice *

Octavia Broske Octavia Broske (June 4, 1886 – March 19, 1967) was an American actress and musical performer. Career Broske's stage career began in San Francisco. Her Broadway roles included parts in ''The Jersey Lily'' (1903), ''Tillie's Nightmare'' (191 ...

- Lady Sophia Entwhistle *Thomas Braidon - Henry Leek * Arthur Rankin - Leek's Son * Paul Kelly - Another Leek Son *Maybeth Carr - Dorothy (a blind child) *Charles Land - Charles Oxford *

Jed Prouty Jed Prouty (born Clarence Gordon Prouty; April 6, 1879 – May 10, 1956) was an American film actor. Biography Born as Clarence Gordon Prouty in Boston, Massachusetts, Prouty was a vaudeville performer before becoming a film actor. Mostly app ...

- Mr. Witt * E. J. Ratcliffe - Lord Leonard Alcar *

Ivo Dawson Ivo Dawson (13 December 1879 - 7 March 1934) was a British actor. Dawson was born in Rutland, England, UK and died in Los Angeles, California, USA, age 54. Selected filmography * ''The Miracle of Love'' (1919) * '' The Broken Melody'' (1919) * ' ...

- Duncan Farll *Katherine Stewart - Mrs. Leek *

- Extra (uncredited)

References

External links

* *
Original lobby card
if picture does not load, click on the -
worthpoint
link, then return and click {{DEFAULTSORT:Great Adventure, The 1921 films American silent feature films Films based on works by Arnold Bennett American romantic comedy films 1921 romantic comedy films Films directed by Kenneth Webb First National Pictures films American black-and-white films Films about fictional painters Films set in London 1920s American films Silent romantic comedy films Silent American comedy films

Plot

Cast

See also

References

External links