Behind the Frontis a 1926 Americansilentwar comedy filmdirected byA. Edward Sutherlandand starringWallace BeeryandRaymond Hatton.It was produced byFamous Players–Laskyand distributed byParamount Pictures.[1][2]The film was based on the novelThe Spoils of Warby Hugh Wiley.[3]
| Behind the Front | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | A. Edward Sutherland |
| Written by | Monte Brice (adaptation) Ethel Doherty(screenplay) |
| Based on | The Spoils of War by Hugh Wiley |
| Produced by | Adolph Zukor Jesse Lasky |
| Starring | Wallace Beery Raymond Hatton |
| Cinematography | Charles P. Boyle |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent(Englishintertitles) |
Plot
editAs described in a film magazine review,[4]two men, enemies in civil life, enlist in the army duringWorld War Iat the behest of a young woman who tells each of them that she loves him. They become buddies and share a medley of mishaps behind the lines in France. They return to America and go to the young woman’s house. There they find her the central figure in a wedding. They maul her husband-to-be and leave. A small incident recreates their enmity towards each other and their private war begins again.
Cast
edit- Wallace Beeryas Riff Swanson
- Raymond Hattonas Shorty McKee
- Mary Brianas Betty Bartlett-Cooper
- Richard Arlenas Percy Brown
- Hayden Stevensonas Capt. Bartlett-Cooper
- Chester Conklinas Scottie
- Tom Kennedyas Sergeant
- Frances Raymondas Mrs. Bartlett-Cooper
- Melbourne MacDowellas Mr. Bartlett-Cooper
- Jerry Mandyas Limburger Soldier
- Charles Sullivanas Soldier
- Gertrude Astoras French barmaid
Preservation
editA print ofBehind the Frontis located in theGeorge Eastman Museum Motion Picture CollectionandUCLA Film and Television Archive.[5]
See also
edit- An excerpt from the film appears in the 1931 Paramount promotional filmThe House That Shadows Built
- Gertrude Astor filmography
References
edit- ^The AFI Catalog of Feature Films:Behind the Front
- ^Progressive Silent Film List:Behind the Frontat silentera
- ^"Hugh Wiley Biography".
- ^"New Pictures:Behind the Front",Exhibitors Herald,23(12), Chicago, Illinois: Exhibitors Herald Company: 67, December 12, 1925,retrievedDecember 1,2022
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
- ^The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:Behind the Front
External links
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