''The Lights o' London'' is a

melodrama A modern melodrama is a dramatic work in which the plot, typically sensationalized and for a strong emotional appeal, takes precedence over detailed characterization. Melodramas typically concentrate on dialogue that is often bombastic or exces ...

tic play, by George R. Sims, first produced in London on 10 September 1881 at the Princess's Theatre, produced by and starring Wilson Barrett. The play was a hit, running for 226 nights, and was frequently revived thereafter. It also opened in New York at the

Union Square Theatre Union Square Theatre was the name of two different theatres near Union Square, Manhattan, New York City. The first was a Broadway theatre that opened in 1870, was converted into a cinema in 1921 and closed in 1936.(8 October 1921)Two landmarks to ...

in December 1881 and was revived twice on Broadway.In August 1883 at the Grand Opera House (formerly Pike's). The play was twice made into silent films, both titled ''Lights of London'', in

1914 This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. It als ...

, directed by

Bert Haldane Bert Haldane (1871–1937) was a British film director of the silent era. Filmography Filmography - based on IMDb - is complete. 1910 *'' Coals of Fire'' (1910) *'' Tried and Found True'' (1910) *'' Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters'' ( ...

and

1923 Events January–February * January 9 – Lithuania begins the Klaipėda Revolt to annex the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory). * January 11 – Despite strong British protests, troops from France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr area, t ...

, directed by Charles Calvert.

Synopsis

Harold Armytage and Bess Marks elope. Harold's father is rich but after the elopement disowns him. Clifford Armytage, Harold's scheming cousin, and Seth Preene, a friend of Harold's father, frame innocent Harold for a crime so that Clifford will inherit the father's money instead of Harold. Seth aids Clifford because he hopes that his daughter, Hetty (who declares "I hate poor people"), would then marry Clifford and become rich. Harold is convicted and sentenced to gaol but escapes and is helped by an elderly couple to find Bess again. Meanwhile, Seth visits Hetty in London. She has become Clifford's mistress. After Harold rescues Seth from drowning, Seth decides to confess his crime so Harold will receive his inheritance and Clifford will get the punishment he deserves.

Roles and original cast

*Harold Armytage – Wilson Barrett *Clifford Armytage – E. S. Willard *Seth Preene – Walter Speakman *Jarvis – George Barrett *Philosopher Jack – Charles Coote *Irish Policeman – Barney Cullen *Aubrey De Vere, Esq. – Arthur Scott *Bess Marks – Miss Eastlake *Hetty Preene – Emeline Ormsby *Mrs. Jarvis – Mrs. Stephens *Shakespeare Jarvis – Eugene Edwards

References

;Notes

External links

''The Lights o'London''
at the IBDB Broadway database
Theatre poster from a revivalIMDb article on the 1922 film version
1881 plays English plays British plays adapted into films Works by George Robert Sims {{1880s-play-stub