''The Invisible Power'' is a 1921 American

crime In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definit ...

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 ...

film directed by

Frank Lloyd Frank William George Lloyd (2 February 1886 – 10 August 1960) was a British-born American film director, actor, scriptwriter, and producer. He was among the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was its president ...

and released by

Goldwyn Pictures Goldwyn Pictures Corporation was an American motion picture production company that operated from 1916 to 1924 when it was merged with two other production companies to form the major studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was founded on November 19, 1 ...

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 ...

, Sid Chambers (Peters), a thief, is released from prison and rejoins his pals at a Greek restaurant. He finds his former second story man Bob Drake (Ainsworth), without funds as he has developed a cough that discloses his whereabouts. The two crooks go to the country where Sid falls in love with a young woman, Laura Chadwick (Rich), who wants him to go straight. He becomes a travelling salesman and they live quietly in a small cottage until detective Mark Shadwell (Jennings) shows up. Shadwell has been pressured by his chief to make a showing in a big necklace robbery, so he arrests Sid and sends him back to prison. After Laura's child is born she is unable to provide for it and is compelled to give it up. The detective's wife (De Jainette) adopts the child. When Laura is arrested for

vagrancy Vagrancy is the condition of homelessness without regular employment or income. Vagrants (also known as bums, vagabonds, rogues, tramps or drifters) usually live in poverty and support themselves by begging, scavenging, petty theft, temporar ...

, the detective, thinking to make the husband confess to the necklace robbery, brings the couple together at his house. After they see the baby, the detective relents and frees Sid and his wife and helps return them to their home.

Cast

House Peters Robert House Peters Sr. (12 March 1880 – 7 December 1967) was a British-born American silent film actor, known to filmgoers of the era as "The Star of a Thousand Emotions". Biography Born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, Peters bega ...

as Sid Chambers *

Irene Rich Irene Rich (born Irene Frances Luther; October 13, 1891 – April 22, 1988) was an American actress who worked in both silent films and talkies, as well as radio. Early life Rich was born in Buffalo, New York. At age 17, she wed Elvo Elc ...

as Laura Chadwick *

DeWitt Jennings DeWitt Clarke Jennings (June 21, 1871 – March 1, 1937) was an American film and stage actor. He appeared in 17 Broadway theatre, Broadway plays between 1906 and 1920, and in more than 150 films between 1915 and 1937. Biography He was born ...

as Mark Shadwell *

Sidney Ainsworth Sidney Ainsworth (born Charles Sydney Ainsworth, often credited as Sydney Ainsworth; December 21, 1872 – May 21, 1922), was a screen and stage actor who appeared in his first movie in 1909. He was born in Manchester, England and died in Madison, ...

as Bob Drake * Jessie De Jainette as Mrs. Shadwell * William Friend as Mr. Miller *

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. Miller *

Lydia Yeamans Titus Lydia Yeamans Titus (12 December 1857 – 30 December 1929) was an Australian-born American singer, dancer, comedienne, and actress who had a lengthy career in vaudeville and cinema. She was remembered on stage for her ''Baby-Talk'' act and a ...

as The Giggling Neighbor

References

External links

* * 1921 films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Films directed by Frank Lloyd 1921 crime drama films American crime drama films Melodrama films 1921 drama films 1920s American films Silent American drama films {{1920s-silent-drama-film-stub