The Law and the Woman

The Law and the Woman is a lost[1] 1922 American silent drama film directed by Penrhyn Stanlaws and starring Betty Compson. This film is a version of Clyde Fitch's play The Woman in the Case and a remake of a 1916 silent version The Woman in the Case starring Pauline Frederick. Jesse Lasky produced.[2][3]

The Law and the Woman
Still with Betty Compson and Cleo Ridgely
Directed by	Penrhyn Stanlaws
Produced by	Famous Players-Lasky Jesse Lasky
Written by	Albert S. Le Vino (scenario)
Based on	The Woman in the Case by Clyde Fitch
Cinematography	Karl Struss
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	January 22, 1922 (1922-01-22)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[4] Phil Long (Ferguson) returns from Paris after becoming engaged to the notorious vampire Clara Foster (Ridgely). She had previously ensnared Julian Rolfe (Carleton), who is now happily married to Margaret (Compson). Phil is Julian's ward and, because he is wealthy, Clara is determined to marry him. Phil and Julian quarrel over the matter in Clara's apartment and later Phil is found dead in one of the rooms. Julian is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. By assuming the character of a woman of Clara Foster's type, Margaret secures a confession from Clara, who turns out to be the actual murderer. In dramatic fashion, Julian is saved from execution in the electric chair by just moments.

Cast

• Betty Compson as Margaret Rolfe
• William P. Carleton as Julian Rolfe
• Cleo Ridgely as Clara Foster
• Casson Ferguson as Phil Long
• Henry A. Barrows as Judge Thompson
• Helen Dunbar as Aunt Lucy
• Clarence Burton as Bates
• J. S. Stembridge as Detective

References

1. The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Law and the Woman
2. Progressive Silent Film List: The Law and the Woman at silentera.com
3. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Law and the Woman
4. "Reviews: The Law and the Woman". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 14 (3): 56. January 14, 1922.

External links

• The Law and the Woman on IMDb
• Synopsis at AllMovie
• Fitch, Clyde, The Woman in the Case; a Play in Four Acts, Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1915, on the Internet Archive