The Heart Specialist is a 1922 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Frank Urson and starring Mary Miles Minter and Allan Forrest. It was adapted by Harvey Thew from a story by Mary Morrison.[1] As with many of Minter's features, it is thought to be a lost film.[2]
| The Heart Specialist | |
|---|---|
 Mary Miles Minter in The Heart Specialist | |
| Directed by | Frank Urson |
| Written by | Harvey Thew |
| Story by | Mary Morrison |
| Produced by | Realart Pictures |
| Starring | Mary Miles Minter |
| Cinematography | Allen M. Davey |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot edit
As described in various film magazine reviews,[3][4][5] Rosalie Beckwith (Minter) works for a New York newspaper, editing a column devoted to romance. When her editor (Mathis) threatens to dismiss her on the grounds that romance does not exist, Rosalie bets her job that she can find romance within forty miles of the newspaper office.
Arriving at a small town chosen at random, Rosalie is mistaken for Muriel Murat Bey, the cousin and heir of Bob Stratton (Forrest), a wealthy but wounded and ailing war veteran. Accepting this misidentification, Rosalie moves in to Stratton's estate, where she rapidly falls for the wounded veteran, and also incurs the enmity of family physician Dr. Fitch (Beery). Fitch has been systematically embezzling Stratton's funds and now, fearing discovery, he plots to kill him.
When Rosalie discovers that Fitch is attempting to poison Stratton, Fitch decides to dispose of her. He throws her down a well, and introduces his sister Grace (Phillips) as the "real" Muriel Murat Bey. Rosalie however escapes from the well, and before Stratton can eat the poisoned food that Fitch has prepared for him, she reveals the plot. The Fitches are arrested, and, although she has won her wager along with Stratton's heart, Rosalie chooses to leave her newspaper column behind for a real romance with Stratton.
Cast edit
- Mary Miles Minter as Rosalie Beckwith
- Allan Forrest as Bob Stratton
- Roy Atwell as Winston Gates
- Jack Mathis as City Editor
- Noah Beery as Dr. Thomas Fitch
- James Neill as Fernald
- Carmen Phillips as Grace Fitch
References edit
- ^ "Miss Minter Forsakes Ingenue Roles for Emotional Parts". Moving Picture World. 54 (3). New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company: [1]. January 21, 1922.
- ^ The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Heart Specialist
- ^ "Feature Reviews: The Heart Specialist". Motion Picture News. 25 (16). New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc.: [2] April 8, 1922.
- ^ "Newest Reviews and Comments: The Heart Specialist". Moving Picture World. 55 (5). New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company: [3]. April 1, 1922.
- ^ "Reviews: Mary Miles Minter in The Heart Specialist". Exhibitors Herald. 14 (14). Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co.: [4] April 1, 1922.
External links edit
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