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The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1923 film)

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The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
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Directed byCharles Maigne
Written byEugene Walter (adaptation)
Screenplay byWill M. Ritchey
Based onThe Trail of the Lonesome Pine
by John Fox, Jr.
StarringMary Miles Minter
CinematographyJames Howe
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • April 15, 1923 (1923-04-15)
Running time
6 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Charles Maigne and starring Mary Miles Minter. It was adapted by Will M. Ritchey from the play and novel of the same name by John Fox Jr.[1] This was the second time that Maigne had directed Minter in an adaptation of a Fox novel, the first being 1920's A Cumberland Romance. This was Minter's final film; her contract with Paramount Pictures was not renewed,[2] and she stated that she was "through" with films.[3] As with many of Minter's features, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is thought to be a lost film.[4]

Plot

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As described in various film magazine reviews,[5][6][7][8][9] June Tolliver (Minter) is a girl of the Kentucky mountains, whose clan has been feuding with the Falins for generations. When engineer John Hale (Moreno) comes to the mountains to aid in the development of the coal and iron industries, June falls in love with the handsome "furriner" (foreigner).

Hale sends June away to the city, funding her education with the intention of marrying her on her return. In the meantime the feud between the clans deepens, and Hale, having been made a deputy, is keen not to take sides despite his love for June.

The day that June returns from the city, her education complete, her uncle Rufe Tolliver (Brady) is arrested for the killing of a policeman. June is called upon as a witness, and although her clan expect her to remain loyal to them, she does not lie.

June's father Judd Tolliver (Torrence), the leader of the clan, vows that he will not see a relative hanged. Instead, he arranges to have Rufe shot on the way to his execution, and in the ensuing chaos Hale is also wounded. June intervenes to beg for peace between the clans, and when Hale recovers, he and June are wed.

Cast

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Lobby Card

Production

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The Trail of the Lonesome Pine was the second film on which cinematographer James Wong Howe earned his reputation leading him to become one of the most sought cinematographer of the era. Listed as first camera, essentially, Howe was considered the director of photography.[10] Specifically, Howe made Mary Miles Minter's blue eyes register on orthochromatic film with a filter.[11] With the success evident in Howe's work, especially in lighting, "every blue-eyed actor and actress wanted him as their photographer."[10]

Other adaptions

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The novel was first adapted for the screen in 1914 starring Dixie Compton. In 1916, a second adaptation, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, was released. The novel was adapted for the fourth time in 1936, directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Fred MacMurray, Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Studio Flashes". Paramount Pep. 7 (25). New York: Madison Square Press Inc.: [1] December 27, 1922.
  2. ^ "The Minter Contract". The Film Daily. 22 (66). New York: Wid’s Film and Film Folks inc: 1. December 7, 1922.
  3. ^ "Mary Minter Through". The Film Daily. 23 (25). New York: Wid’s Film and Film Folks inc: 1. January 26, 1923.
  4. ^ The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine
  5. ^ "Reviews: The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine". The Film Daily. 26 (81). New York: Wid’s Film and Film Folks inc: 13. March 25, 1923.
  6. ^ "Pre-Release Reviews of Features: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine". Motion Picture News. 27 (13). New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc.: [2] March 31, 1923.
  7. ^ "Newest Reviews and Comments: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine". Moving Picture World. 61 (5). New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company: [3]. March 31, 1923.
  8. ^ "Reviews: Mary Miles Minter in Trail Of The Lonesome Pine". Exhibitors Herald. 16 (18). Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co.: [4] April 28, 1923.
  9. ^ "Illustrated Screen Reports: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine". Exhibitor's Trade Review. 13 (18). East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Exhibitor's Trade Review, Inc.: [5] March 31, 1923.
  10. ^ a b Rainsberger 1982, p. 18.
  11. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine". silentera.com. Retrieved April 22, 2008.

Bibliography

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  • Rainsberger, Todd. James Wong Howe, Cinematographer. New Haven, Connecticut: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1982. ISBN 978-0-49802-405-4.
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