The Fourth Commandment (film)
The Fourth Commandment is a 1927 American silent drama directed by Emory Johnson and based on the short story "The Fourth Commandment" by Emilie Johnson. The film stars Belle Bennett, Henry Victor, June Marlowe, and Mary Carr. The film was released on March 20, 1927 by Universal Pictures. The Fourth Commandment is - "Honor your father and your mother. . ." [1][2]
| The Fourth Commandment | |
|---|---|
 Lobby card | |
| Directed by | Emory Johnson |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle |
| Written by | Emory Johnson (adaptation) Carroll Owen (titles) |
| Starring | Belle Bennett |
| Cinematography | Arthur L. Todd |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 6-7 reels (2,091.84 meters) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles |
Plot
The Graham family falls on hard times. A childhood love affair between Gordon Graham played by Malcolm Jones and Marjorie Miller played by Lorraine Rivero is squashed by Marjorie's mother, the social climber Mrs. Miller played by Catherine Wallace.
Gordon now played by Henry Victor goes away to college, returns home and marries Virginia played by Belle Bennett. Four years after the birth of their child, Sonny (Wendell Phillips Franklin), Virginia no longer wants to be a stay-at-home mom. She wants to return to the workforce. Virginia's mother-in-law, Mrs. Graham played by Mary Carr, makes an offer to the couple. Gordon and Virginia can move in with her, and she will take care of Sonny
After living awhile with Mrs. Graham, selfish Virginia becomes jealous of her mother-in-law's devotion to her son. She issues an ultimatum – Gordon's mother goes, or she will leave. Gordon can't kick his mother out of her house. Frustrated, Virginia takes Sonny, moves out and gets a divorce. Virginia then sets her sights on her wealthy boss - Frederick Stoneman played by Frank Elliott. They get married. Later Stoneman is found guilty of embezzlement and sent to prison. Virginia is now destitute, unmarried and no future prospects.
Sonny, played by Robert Agnew is now a grown man and happily married. Sonny arranged for his poor mother to live with him and his wife. Soon Sonny's wife becomes jealous of Virginia's devotion to her son. Sonny and his wife move to Paris and take Virginia with them, Virginia has trouble dealing with the demands of Sonny's wife. The circle is now complete; Virginia decides to disappear in the streets of Paris.
Gordon and his wife, Marjorie are attending a business function in Paris. They are recognized on the streets of Paris by a haggard looking woman. As the mystery woman walks to greet them, Virginia dies in the street.
Cast
Actor Role Henry Victor Gordon Graham June Marlowe Marjorie Miller Belle Bennett Virginia Leigh Willard Edmund Graham Mary Carr Mrs. Graham Brady Kline Ray Miller Catherine Wallace Mrs. Miller Frank Elliott Frederick Stoneman Knute Erickson John Malloy Kathleen Myers Mrs. Smith Robert Agnew Sonny Wendell Phillips Franklin Sonny, as a child Lorraine Rivero Marjorie, as a child Malcolm Jones Gordon, as a child Stanley Taylor Count Douglas Von Rosen
Film name
A few periodicals have incorrectly labeled the film as - FOURTH COMMANDMENT. The final determination can be made by company's registration with the US government office of copyrights. Shown below is the entry from the Catalog of Copyright Entries-Cumulative Series dated 1951 -
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT 1926
8 reels
Credits: Story, Emilie Johnson
(c) Universal Pictures Corp.; 14 Oct 26
LP23239— Catalog of Copyright Entries [3]
Gallery
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References
- The Fourth Commandment The AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- "The Fourth Commandment". www.tcm.com.
- "Catalog of Copyright Entries-Cumulative Series". Motion Pictures. Library of Congress, Copyright Office. 1912 - 1939. 1951.
- Progressive Silent Film List: The Fourth Commandment at silentera.com
- The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Fourth Commandment