Smilin' Through
About Smilin' Through
On the night John Carteret is to marry Moonyeen, Jeremiah Wayne tries to stop the wedding and fires at John. Moonyeen steps in front of the shot and dies, and the ceremony is finished as she is dying. Years later her niece Kathleen, who looks like her, is John’s ward. She falls in love with Kenneth Wayne, Jeremiah’s son. John orders him away. Kathleen sees Kenneth off to the war anyway. When he comes back wounded, he leaves her, letting her think he loves someone else. Moonyeen’s spirit appears to John. He sends for Kenneth. The two are together again just before John dies.
Cast & crew
More about Smilin' Through
Sidney Franklin directed and co-wrote the film from the 1919 play Smilin’ Through by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin, who signed the play Alan Langdon Martin. Norma Talmadge and her husband Joseph M. Schenck produced it for the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation. First National released it on 13 February 1922. Wikipedia gives the United States and Canada gross as $1 million.
Themes
Reviews
Mary Pickford said the film’s treatment of spiritualism was delicate enough to offend no one, and that the subject would interest most women. She called it one of her favorite films.
Look
J. Roy Hunt and Charles Rosher photographed the film.
Music
Silent, with English intertitles.
Notes
- Norma Talmadge plays both Kathleen and Moonyeen. Harrison Ford plays both Kenneth Wayne and Jeremiah Wayne. Wyndham Standing plays John Carteret.
- Alec B. Francis plays Dr. Owen. Glenn Hunter plays Willie Ainsley. Grace Griswold plays Ellen. Miriam Battista plays Little Mary, Moonyeen’s sister.
- Gene Lockhart, billed as Eugene Lockhart, makes his screen debut as the village rector.
- Franklin also directed MGM’s 1932 remake. MGM filmed the play again in 1941 with Jeanette MacDonald.
Scenes
- Moonyeen takes the bullet Jeremiah meant for John, and the wedding goes on as she dies.
- Kathleen sees Kenneth off to the war against John’s order.
- Moonyeen’s spirit comes to John, and he sends for Kenneth before he dies.
Influenced by
- The 1919 play Smilin’ Through by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin, written as Alan Langdon Martin
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (Smilin' Through (1922).webm)
