The Frisky Mrs. Johnson
The Frisky Mrs. Johnson is a 1920 silent film comedy starring Billie Burke. It was produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed through Paramount Pictures. It is based on a 1903 Broadway stage play by Clyde Fitch. On the stage Burke's part was played by Amelia Bingham. Burke's next to last silent film. It is a lost film.[1][2]
The Frisky Mrs. Johnson | |
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Directed by | Edward Dillon |
Written by | Lawrence McClosky (scenario) |
Based on | The Frisky Mrs. Johnson by Clyde Fitch Madame Flirt by Paul Gavault and Georges Berr |
Produced by | Adolph Zukor Jesse Lasky |
Starring | Billie Burke |
Cinematography | George Folsey |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 5 reels, 5,586 feet |
Country | United States |
Languages | Silent film (English intertitles) |
Plot
As summarized in a film publication,[3] Mrs. Belle Johnson (Burke) is a widow and has a married sister Grace Morley (Warrington) who is unhappy and is having an affair with Sir Lionel Heathcote (Gordon). Belle tries to keep them apart to save her sister's reputation. Frank Morley (Hare), a brother of Grace's husband and a previous love of Belle, returns and soon he and Belle are in love again and planning to elope. At the same time Grace is planning on running off with Heathcote, and a note sent to her is found by her husband Jim (Crane). Jim follows his wife Grace to Heathcote's apartment, but Belle gets there ahead of them and pretends that the note was meant for her. Franks hears of this and wants nothing more with Belle. Eventually, Grace decides that she cannot let her sister sacrifice her happiness and tells her husband the truth. Frank goes back with Belle, and Grace says that she is getting a divorce so that she can marry Heathcote.
Cast
- Billie Burke - Belle Johnson
- Ward Crane - Jim Morley
- Jane Warrington - Grace Morley
- Lumsden Hare - Frank Morley
- Huntley Gordon - Sir Lionel Heathcote
- Jean De Briac - Max Dendeau
- Robert Agnew - Lal Birkenread
- Leonora von Ottinger - Mrs. Birkenread
- Emily Fitzroy - Mrs. Chardley
References
- The Frisky Mrs. Johnson at silent era.com
- The Frisky Mrs. Johnson as produced on Broadway by Amelia Bingham at the Princess Theatre February 9, 1903 to April 1903, 80 performances;IBDb.com
- "The Frisky Mrs. Johnson: Very Week Story and Production that Can't be Boasted of". Film Daily. New York City: Wyd's Films and Film Folks, Inc. 14 (90): 9. January 1, 1921. Retrieved March 4, 2014.