''Moonlight and Honeysuckle'' 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 typic ...

film directed by

Joseph Henabery Joseph Henabery (January 15, 1888 – February 18, 1976) of Omaha, Nebraska, was a film actor, screenplay writer, and director in the United States. He is best known for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in D.W. Griffith's controversial 1915 sile ...

and starring

Mary Miles Minter Mary Miles Minter (born Juliet Reilly; April 25, 1902Louisiana Birth Certificate, Caddo Parish, No. 119, Book A, Page 97, Birth Date: April 25, 1902, Name: Mary M. Reilly ic – Original Caddo birth record was recorded as "J.H. Riley's Child" ...

and

Monte Blue Gerard Montgomery Blue (January 11, 1887 – February 18, 1963) was an American film actor who began his career as a romantic lead in the silent era; and for decades after the advent of sound, he continued to perform as a supporting player ...

. It was adapted by Barbara Kent from the 1919 stage play of the same name by George Scarborough. As with many of Minter's features, it is thought to be a

lost film A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress. Conditions During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy ...

.The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: ''Moonlight and Honeysuckle''
/ref>

Plot

As described in various

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 ...

reviews, Judith Baldwin (Minter) lives on the Arizona ranch owned by her father (Louis). When her father is elected as senator and moves to Washington, Judith accompanies him, leaving behind ranch hand Tod Musgrove (Blue), who is in love with her. In Washington Judith attracts the attention of two suitors; Congressman Hamill (Oliver) and Robert Courtney (Boyd). Her father is keen for her to make a choice so that he can pursue his own relationship with the widowed Mrs. Langley (Van Buren), who refuses to marry him until Judith is out of the picture. Unsure which man to choose, Judith comes up with the idea of a "trial marriage" for each man at her aunt's woodland cabin, chaperoned by her old nurse. Judith soon decides that Congressman Hamill is terribly boring and not the man for her. However, a servant at the lodge has recognised him and reported his presence to the newspapers, claiming that he has eloped with Judith. When the news appears in the papers, Hamill is forced to travel to the village to telephone through a denial; however, the published news has brought Courtney to the lodge ahead of his allotted time, as well as Tod Musgrove, who is determined to win Judith. In the meantime, Senator Baldwin has secretly wed Mrs. Langley, and they arrive at the lodge anticipating a quiet honeymoon. Instead they find their daughter, her two Washington suitors, the assembled press, and Tod, who is threatening to shoot both men. Rejected by Judith and threatened by Tod, Hamill and Courtney depart swiftly, leaving Judith to decide upon Tod as the only husband for her.

Cast

as Judith Baldwin *

as Tod Musgrove *

Willard Louis Willard Louis (April 19, 1882 – July 22, 1926) was an American stage and film actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1911 and 1926. He was born in San Francisco, California. Louis had an art studio before he be ...

as Senator Baldwin * Grace Goodall as Hallie Baldwin *

Guy Oliver George Guy Oliver (September 25, 1878 – September 1, 1932) was an American actor. He appeared in at least 189 silent film era motion pictures and 32 talkies in character roles between 1911 and 1931. His obituary gives him credit for at l ...

as Congressman Hamill *

William Boyd William, Willie, Will or Bill Boyd may refer to: Academics * William Alexander Jenyns Boyd (1842–1928), Australian journalist and schoolmaster * William Boyd (educator) (1874–1962), Scottish educator * William Boyd (pathologist) (1885–1979), ...

as Robert V. Courtney * Mabel Van Buren as Mrs. Langley *

Justine Johnstone Justine Olive Johnstone Wanger (January 31, 1895 – September 4, 1982) was an American stage, and silent screen actress, pathologist and expert on syphilis. Working under her married name, she was part of the team that developed the modern ...

as Bit part (Uncredited)

References

External links

* 1921 films 1921 romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films American silent feature films Black-and-white documentary films American films based on plays Films directed by Joseph Henabery Lost American films Paramount Pictures films American black-and-white films 1920s American films Silent romantic comedy films Silent American comedy films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub