An Enemy of Men

1925 film directed by Frank R. Strayer

  • July 1, 1925 (1925-07-01) (US)[1]
Running time
6 reelsCountryUnited StatesLanguageSilent (English intertitles)

An Enemy Of Men is a 1925 American silent melodrama film directed by Frank R. Strayer from an original script by Douglas Bronston. It stars Dorothy Revier, Cullen Landis, and Caesare Gravina,[2] and was released by Columbia Pictures on July 1, 1925.

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,[3] because of her sister's betrayal and subsequent death, Norma Bennett takes a vow to make all men pay. She becomes a night club favorite and is courted by John Hurd, who is the man who ruined her sister. Dr. Phil Ordway is in love with her, but she refuses his offer of marriage. When she discovers the identity of John as her sister's betrayer, she takes a gun and goes to the cabaret to shoot him, but he dies by another's hand. She then agrees and weds Dr. Ordway.

Cast list

  • Dorothy Revier as Norma Bennett
  • Cullen Landis as Dr. Phil Ordway
  • Caesare Gravina as Tony Caruso
  • Charles Clary as John Hurd
  • Leo White as Roberti
  • Barbara Luddy as Janet
  • Virginia Marshall as Baby Janet
  • Margaret Landis as Miss Ordway

Production

While the American Film Institute's database gives an opening date of July 1, 1925, Motion Picture News gives the world premiere date of July 20, at the Strand Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.[4]

Reception

The Bridgeport Telegram gave the film a lukewarm review, calling Revier and Landis' work "capable", with the rest of the performers being an "able cast".[5] The Shreveport Times called the script "a powerful drama of woman's bitter life".[6] The Chicago Tribune gave the picture a lukewarm review, stating that "there's nothing new or original about the story, which is, if you get down to brass tacks, far from convincing." However, they felt the acting was good, while the direction and photography were good as well.[7]

Preservation and status

A copy of the film is held at EYE Film Institute Netherlands.[8]

References

  1. ^ "An Enemy Of Men: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  2. ^ Munden p. 215
  3. ^ Pardy, George T. (January 30, 1926), "Pre-Release Review of Features: An Enemy of Men", Motion Picture News, 33 (5), New York City, New York: Motion Picture News, Inc.: 598, retrieved February 1, 2023 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "World Premiere is Given: Enemy of Men". Motion Picture News. August 1, 1925. p. 550. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Shura Buluwa Gives Wonderful Performance". The Bridgeport Telegram. November 6, 1925. p. 26. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Saenger Theater". The Shreveport Times. October 28, 1925. p. 26. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Here's a Sensation". The Chicago Tribune. September 19, 1925. p. 15. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "An Enemy Of Men [motion picture]". American Silent Feature Film Survival Database. Retrieved October 10, 2023.

Bibliography

  • Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press, 1997.

External links

  • v
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  • e
Films directed by Frank R. Strayer