Under the Lash is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. The film is based on the 1906 play The Shulamite by Claude Askew and Edward Knoblock, and the 1904 novel of the same name by Alice and Claude Askew.[1] The film is lost with no copies of it existing in any archives.[2]

Under the Lash
Lobby card
Directed bySam Wood
Written byJ. E. Nash
Based onThe Shulamite
by Alice and Claude Askew
The Shulamite
by Claude Askew and Edward Knoblock
StarringGloria Swanson
CinematographyAlfred Gilks
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • October 16, 1921 (1921-10-16)
Running time
6 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)
Gloria Swanson and unidentified actor (actually it's Russell Simpson)

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[3] Deborah (Swanson), the second wife of intolerant and bigoted Boer farmer Simeon Krillet (Simpson), first learns of kindness from the Englishman Robert Waring (Hamilton) who comes to study farming from her husband. When her husband threatens to beat her for reading one of the Englishman's books Deborah tells him, to save him from the young man's wrath, that she is to become a mother. He desists and his cruelty turns to kindness. The disclosure of her fabrication brings renewal of his wrath and a determination to kill her. While attempting a rescue, the Englishman kills the husband. Subsequent complications are disposed of which allows a happy ending.

Cast

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Reception

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Upon its release, Under the Lash was not well received by audiences. It was the only Paramount Pictures film released in the early 1920s starring Gloria Swanson that did not do well at the box office.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Under the Lash". silentera.com. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  2. ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Under the Lash
  3. ^ "Reviews: Under the Lash". Exhibitors Herald. 13 (18). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 67–68. October 29, 1921.
  4. ^ Quirk, Lawrence J. (1984). The Films of Gloria Swanson. Carol Publishing Group. p. 103. ISBN 0-806-50874-4.
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