The Whirl of Life

1915 Comedy 60 minutes Directed by Oliver D. Bailey

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About The Whirl of Life

Irene Foote is set to marry John Crosby, a member of the New York Stock Exchange chosen by her New Rochelle parents. While diving she meets the dancer Vernon Castle. They marry, go to Paris, and are nearly broke when a rich American at the Café de Paris asks them to dance. The number makes them. Back in New York they open Castles-by-the-Sea. Crosby, now a producer opening a show the same night, hires men to kidnap Irene. Vernon and his dog get her back. After a failed motor and a boat that dumps them in the surf, they reach the club in time. Crosby loses the night.

Cast & crew

More about The Whirl of Life

Oliver D. Bailey directed. Vernon Castle and Catherine Carr wrote it. John Cort and Gerald F. Bacon produced. Eugene Cugnet photographed. Cort Film Corporation released it on a states-rights basis in October 1915. Wikipedia lists six reels. A circulating copy runs about 49 minutes 26 seconds. Wikidata's duration is 60 minutes. Some clothes were designed by Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon.

Themes

  • the Castles' rise from a Paris café
  • a rival producer who kidnaps Irene
  • a race back to their own club
  • Vernon Castle
  • Irene Castle
  • Castles-by-the-Sea
  • Café de Paris
  • kidnapping
  • Lucile

Making

The picture mixes a loose version of the Castles' rise with a kidnapping plot so they can dance on screen. Lucile, who survived the Titanic, designed some of the clothes.

Look

Eugene Cugnet photographed it.

Preservation

Public domain. A copy of about 49 minutes circulates. Wikimedia Commons holds a clip, not the full film.

Notes

  • Vernon and Irene Castle play themselves. Arthur Stanford, in his only film, plays John Crosby.
  • Kate Blancke plays Mrs. Foote. William T. Carleton plays Mr. Foote. Edward Cort plays the gangster. John Cort appears uncredited.
  • James Reese Europe appears as himself, uncredited. Ruth Gordon has an uncredited bit.
  • The Paris scene is set at the Café de Paris, and the New York club is called Castles-by-the-Sea.
  • Only a clip is on Wikimedia Commons, titled Whirl of life (clip, 1915).webm.

Scenes

  • They dance at the Café de Paris for a rich American and become the act of the night.
  • Vernon and his dog catch the men who have taken Irene.
  • A wave dumps them on the beach in front of Castles-by-the-Sea.