Kindred of the Dustis a 1922Americansilentdrama filmdirected byRaoul Walsh,and starring his wifeMiriam Cooper.It was based upon the novel of the same name byPeter B. Kyne.The film was the last independent picture for Walsh's production company, and the last film he and Cooper would make together.[1]Today it is one of Walsh's earliest surviving features, and is one of only two non-D. W. Griffithfeatures of Cooper's that still is known to survive.
| Kindred of the Dust | |
|---|---|
 Movie poster | |
| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Written by | James T. O'Donohoe(screenplay) |
| Based on | Kindred of the Dust byPeter B. Kyne |
| Produced by | R. A. Walsh Co. |
| Starring | Miriam Cooper Ralph Graves |
| Cinematography | H. Lyman Broening Charles Van Enger |
| Distributed by | First National Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent(Englishintertitles) |
Plot
editAs described in afilm magazine,[2]upon discovering that her husband is abigamistwith a son, Nan (Cooper) goes back with her infant son to her father. She of course is ostracized by the local church people. When Donald McKaye (Graves) returns from college, he is the first to give her sympathy and understanding. Young McKaye loves Nan and wants to marry her, but his father, TheLairdof Tyee (Belmore), has other more ambitious plans for his son and his mother and sisters resent the idea of the mother of a nameless child becoming the wife of the McKaye heir. Nan is ready to give him up, and when Donald yields to his father's wishes and goes to a mountain hut to think it over, she slips away. Donald falls victim to a fever and is taken to a hospital. After resorting to everything else, the mother swallows her pride and sends for Nan, for whom Donald calls constantly. Her presence restores him. The family gives her a cold "thank you" which drives Donald to the final break with his father. He marries Nan and is disinherited. The old Laird refuses to soften, even when, after the man falls into the river from a motor boat headed for the logging camp when a huge log comes down the chute and hits it, the son plunging into the river and saves the father's life. Reconciliation finally comes after a son is born to Donald and Nan.
Cast
edit- Miriam Cooperas Nan of the Sawdust Pile
- Ralph Gravesas Donald McKaye
- Lionel Belmoreas The Laird of Tyee
- Eugenie Bessereras Mrs. McKaye
- Maryland Morne as Jane McKaye
- Elizabeth Waters as Elizabeth McKaye
- William J. Ferguson as Mr. Daney
- Caroline Rankin as Mrs. Daney
- Patrick Rooney as Dirty' Dann OLeary
- John Herdman as Caleb Brent
- Bruce Guerinas Little Donald
Production
editDuring filming Cooper accidentally gazed into astage lightcausing herpermanent eye damagethat lasted until the end of her life.[3]The film ended up being Walsh's final independent production and was the last time Cooper and Walsh (who had made several films together) worked together.[1]The film was one of Cooper's last films as she retired in 1923.
Release
editThe film was released on February 27, 1922. Cooper felt it was mediocre but the film performed decently at the box office.[1]The film still exists and was restored in 2004, is one of the few films from Walsh's early years to survive, and is also one of only two surviving films from Cooper's starring years. The film has been screened at a few film festivals since its restoration but has not been released forhome video.
References
edit- ^abcCooper, Miriam (1973).Dark Lady of the Silents.Bobbs Merrill. p. 172.ISBN0-672-51725-6.
- ^"Reviews:Kindred of the Dust".Exhibitors Herald.14(6). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 62. February 4, 1922.
- ^Cooper, Miriam (1973).Dark Lady of the Silents.Bobbs Merrill. pp. 177–178.ISBN0-672-51725-6.
External links
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