Java Head (1923 film)

Java Head is a 1923 American silent romantic drama film directed by George Melford and starring Leatrice Joy, Jacqueline Logan, Frederick Strong, Alan Roscoe, and Betty Bronson in a bit part. It is based on a popular novel of the same name by Joseph Hergesheimer,[1] which in turn is named after the geographical feature.

Java Head
Lobby poster
Directed byGeorge Melford
Story byWaldemar Young (story and adaptation)
Based onJava Head
by Joseph Hergesheimer
StarringLeatrice Joy
Jacqueline Logan
Alan Roscoe
CinematographyBert Glennon
Charles G. Clarke
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • January 28, 1923 (1923-01-28) (U.S.)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)
Budget200,000

Java Head was remade in a 1934 British sound film starring Anna May Wong which was released by Associated Talking Pictures.

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[2] during the late 1840s wealthy retired sea captain Jeremy Ammidon (Strong) lives with his children and grandchildren in a house known as "Java Head" in Salem, Massachusetts. Jeremy's son William (Hall) manages the family business. Gerrit Ammidon (Roscoe), skipper of the Nautilus in its oriental trade, loves Nettie Vollar (Logan), a granddaughter of Barzil Dunsack (Fawcett), an enemy of Jeremy. Barzil orders Gerrit out of his house. In China, Gerrit rescues Taou Yuen (Joy) from a gang of ruffians. Her father, a Manchu noble, orders the two to be wed or slain. Gerrit marries Taou and brings her to Salem where her appearance causes consternation among the Ammidon family and Nettie to become ill. Edward Dunsack (Hatton), a drug addict, is fascinated by Taou and tries to turn her mind against Gerrit. Edward tells her that Gerrit loves Nettie, whom she has seen at a party, but Taou repulses him. Nettie learns that Gerrit still loves her and is visited by Taou, who then takes an overdose of opium and dies. Nettie and Gerrit are wed and sail away on the Nautilus.

Cast
  • Leatrice Joy as Taou Yuen
  • Jacqueline Logan as Nettie Vollar
  • Frederick Strong as Jeremy Ammidon
  • Alan Roscoe as Gerrit Ammidon (probably credited as Albert Roscoe)
  • Arthur Stuart Hall as William Ammidon
  • Rose Tapley as Rhoda Ammidon
  • Violet Axzelle as Laurel Ammidon
  • Audrey Berry as Sisall Ammidon
  • Polly Archer as Camilla Ammidon
  • Betty Bronson as Janet Ammidon
  • George Fawcett as Barzil Dunsack
  • Raymond Hatton as Edward Dunsack
  • Helen Lindroth as Kate Vollar
  • Dan Pennell as Broadrick
  • George S. Stevens as The Butler
  • Mimi Sherwood as The Maid
  • Frances Hatton as The Nurse

Production notes

Exterior scenes were shot on location in Salem, Massachusetts, where the film is also set.[3]

Preservation

No copies of Java Head are listed in any film archives,[4][1] which suggests that it is a lost film.

  • Film poster
    Film poster
  • Film still with Leatrice Joy
    Film still with Leatrice Joy
  • Jacqueline Logan and Leatrice Joy
    Jacqueline Logan and Leatrice Joy
  • Filming on Hardy Street in Salem, October 1922
    Filming on Hardy Street in Salem, October 1922

References
  1. Progressive Silent Film List: Java Head at silentera.com
  2. "Java Head: Paramount Photoplay in Eight Parts". Exhibitor's Trade Review. East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Exhibitor's Trade Review, Inc. 13 (12): 627. February 17, 1923.
  3. Sherwood, Robert Emmet (1923). The Best Moving Pictures of ... Also Who's who in the Movies and the Yearbook of the American Screen. Small, Maynard. p. 104.
  4. Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: Java Head
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