''39 East'' is a 1920 American silent

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...

produced by the Realart Picture Company (headed by Paramount Pictures's Adolph Zukor), and starring

Constance Binney Constance Binney (June 28, 1896 – November 15, 1989) was an American stage and film actress and dancer. Biography Born in New York City, Binney was educated at Westover School, a private college preparatory boarding school for girls in ...

reprising her role from the Broadway play. The film was directed by

John S. Robertson John Stuart Robertson (14 June 1878 – 5 November 1964) was a Canadian born actor and later film director perhaps best known for his 1920 screen adaptation of ''Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'', starring John Barrymore. Biography Robertson was born ...

. The film is based on the play of the same name by Rachel Crothers, which was a hit on Broadway with Binney starring.

Plot

As described in a film magazine, Penelope Penn (Binney), to financially aid others of the poor minister's family to which she belongs, goes to New York City and becomes one of the boardinghouse colony at "39 East." The identity of her business she keeps a mystery, thereby arousing the unsympathetic speculations of her fellow female boarders. She finds a champion and lover in Napoleon Gibbs Jr. (Denny), a young wealthy aristocrat, who helps her over many a rough spot during her boardinghouse life. Her chance to shine histrionically comes when there is a sudden refusal of the theater star, to whom she understudies, to go on while she is in the chorus. Penelope's success assures her family's future and brings the climax of her romance, which promises a "happy ever after" ending.

Cast

as Penelope Penn * Reginald Denny as Napoleon Gibbs Jr. *

Alison Skipworth Alison Skipworth (born Alison Mary Elliott Margaret Groom; 25 July 18635 July 1952) was an English stage and screen actress. Early years Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, an ...

as Mrs. de Mailly * Lucia Moore as Mrs. Smith * Blanche Frederici as Miss McMasters * Edith Gresham as Sadie Clarence *Mildred Arden as Myrtle Clarence * Luis Alberni as Count Gionelli *Albert Carroll as Dr. Hubbard *Frank Allworth as Timothy O'Brien

References

External links

* *
Still of Constance Binney and Reginald Denny from ''39 East''
(University of Washington, Sayre Collection) 1920 films 1920 comedy films Silent American comedy films American silent feature films American black-and-white films American films based on plays Films directed by John S. Robertson 1920s American films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub