The Circle (1925 film)
The Circle is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage. The film stars Eleanor Boardman, Malcolm McGregor, and Alec B. Francis. A young Joan Crawford appears early in the film but only in a limited role.[1] The screenplay, written by Kenneth B. Clarke, was based on the 1921 play of the same title by British writer W. Somerset Maugham. The film survives today in excellent condition.[2][3] The play was filmed again by MGM in an early sound (released also in silent) in 1930 as Strictly Unconventional.
The Circle | |
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Directed by | Frank Borzage |
Written by | Kenneth B. Clarke |
Based on | The Circle by W. Somerset Maugham |
Starring | Eleanor Boardman Malcolm McGregor Alec B. Francis Eugenie Besserer Joan Crawford |
Cinematography | Chester A. Lyons |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date | September 22, 1925 |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent English intertitles |
The film's sets were designed by the art director James Basevi.
Plot
In the 1890s, young Lady Catherine (Joan Crawford) decides to leave her husband and her son Arnold in favor of her lover ("Hughie" Porteous). Thirty years later, young Elizabeth (Eleanor Boardman) is facing the same choice between her husband (the now grown Arnold, played by Creighton Hale) and lover (Malcolm McGregor). The situation is further tensed by an intended visit by Arnold's mother Lady Catherine and her lover Lord Porteous.
Cast
- Eleanor Boardman as Elizabeth Cheney
- Malcolm McGregor as Edward "Teddy" Lutton
- Alec B. Francis as Lord Clive Cheney
- Eugenie Besserer as Lady Catherine "Kitty" Cheney
- George Fawcett as Lord Hugh "Hughie" Porteous
- Creighton Hale as Arnold Cheney
- Otto Hoffman as Dorker
- Eulalie Jensen as Mrs. Alice Shenstone
- Buddy Smith as Young Arnold
- Joan Crawford as Young Lady Catherine
- Frank Braidwood as Young Porteous
- Derek Glynne as Young Cheney
References
- The Circle (1925). International Movie Database (IMDb). Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- The Circle at silentera.com
- The Circle as originally produced on Broadway at the Selwyn Theatre, September 21, 1921 to February 1922 and subsequent revivals in 1938 and 1989; IBDb.com