''For Those We Love'' is a 1921 American silent romantic drama film produced by and starring Betty Compson, and featuring

Lon Chaney Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and affli ...

and Richard Rosson. Written and directed by

Arthur Rosson Arthur Henry Rosson (24 August 1886 – 17 June 1960) was an English film director. From 1917 to 1948, Rosson directed 61 feature films (including co-direction of '' Red River''). He also worked on many major films as a second unit director ...

, the film was based on a story by Perley Poore Sheehan (who later co-wrote the script for Chaney's ''

The Hunchback of Notre Dame ''The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'' (french: Notre-Dame de Paris, translation=''Our Lady of Paris'', originally titled ''Notre-Dame de Paris. 1482'') is a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. It focuses on the unfortunate story ...

''. The film was distributed 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 ...

. Some sources list the release date as being in March 1921. This is unlikely since the film was only copyrighted in July, but the exact release date has not been confirmed. It is now considered a

lost film A lost film is a feature Feature may refer to: Computing * Feature (CAD), could be a hole, pocket, or notch * Feature (computer vision), could be an edge, corner or blob * Feature (software design) is an intentional distinguishing char ...

. A still exists showing Chaney holding the heroine.

Plot

Beatrice Arnold (Betty Compson) cares for her father George and her younger brother Jimmy (Richard Rosson). She is saved from drowning by a local card shark naked Trix Ulner (Lon Chaney) who decides to pursue her romantically, much to the chagrin of her longtime sweetheart, Johnny Fletcher. Beatrice is shocked to learn that Jimmy's been embezzling funds from their dad to pay off his gambling debts to a crook named Frank (Frank Campeau). Beatrice enlists Ulner's aid to get back the money. Ulner and Jimmy plot to steal the money from Frank's house, but during the robbery, Jimmy is shot dead by Frank. To save Jimmy's reputation, Ulner blackmails Frank into telling the authorities that Jimmy was killed protecting Frank from the burglar. At the end of the film, Beatrice marries her sweetheart, Johnny Fletcher. Trix Ulner decides to give up his unsavory ways.

Cast

* Betty Compson as Bernice Arnold *

Richard Rosson Richard Rosson (April 4, 1893 – May 31, 1953) was an American film director and actor. As an actor, he was known for the nearly 100 films he was in during the silent era. As a director, he directed the logging sequences in the 1936 film ''Co ...

as Jimmy Arnold *

as Trix Ulner *

Frank Campeau Frank Campeau (December 14, 1864 – November 5, 1943) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1911 and 1940 and made many appearances in films starring Douglas Fairbanks. On Broadway, Campeau appeared in ''Rio Gr ...

as Frank *Harry Duffield as George Arnold *

Walter Morosco Walter Morosco (February 1, 1899 – December 30, 1948 ) was an American film producer, writer, actor and director. Morosco was born in San Francisco, the son of theater impresario Oliver Morosco and grandson of Walter M. Morosco (1846-1901). ...

as Johnny Fletcher * Camille Astor as Vida *

Bert Woodruff William Herbert "Bert" Woodruff (April 29, 1856 – June 14, 1934) was an American actor of the silent era. Woodruff was born in Peoria, Illinois, and was the son of Mrs. Hannah Woodruff. He performed on stage before he began acting on fi ...

as Dr. Bailee * George Cooper as Bert

Critical Comments

"The reason that this was the final production that (Betty Compson) made in the role of producer is easily apparent to those that view it. It is without doubt one of the most incoherent stories that has been screened in a long, long time. Miss Compson has a corking company supporting her, which includes Lon Chaney and others of equal note, but even they cannot pull the picture through...The direction was draggy and wearisome from beginning to end and it did not move the story forward at all. This is a good one to pass up." ---Variety "Among other good characterizations is that of Lon Chaney as the gambler, who would have an easy chance to over-act, but who cleverly avoids this. The picture should make money for the exhibitor." ---Moving Picture World "There is just enough variety of situation and climax to this melodrama to carry it away from conventional channels. (Chaney's) gift for pathos is keenly emphasized. When he rescues the girl from various dangers, he inspires the greatest sympathy." ---Motion Picture NewsBlake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 113. .

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:For Those We Love 1921 films 1921 romantic drama films American romantic drama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Films directed by Arthur Rosson Goldwyn Pictures films Lost American films 1921 lost films 1920s American films Silent romantic drama films Silent American drama films