Deserted at the Altar is a 1922 American silent film melodrama directed by William K. Howard and produced by Phil Goldstone Productions. It stars Bessie Love and Tully Marshall.
The film is preserved at the Museum of Modern Art.
Plot Two villains plan to steal the inheritance of Anna Moore by marrying her. When her brother Tommy is hit by a car, the wealthy driver pays the doctor bills, and falls in love with Anna. This thwarts the villains' initial plans, so they go on to hire a woman to pose as the driver's estranged partner and mother of his child, and stop the wedding. When the woman reveals her true identity, the villains are exposed, and Anna and her rich fiancé are reunited.
Cast
Production The film is a Poverty Row (Gower Street) production, and was filmed in only ten days.
Promotion and release The film is notable for its then-novel methods of promotion, which included stunts, such as weddings in movie theaters,Two couples who wed in movie theaters were: William G. Swope and Elinor K. Foose in Harrisburg, PA. – Earl Prantzman and Myrtle Martin in Butler, PA. – and staged "Just Married" car rides around town.
On its release, the film was shown with the short Fighting Blood in some theaters.
Reception Generally, the film received positive reviews,Positive reviews:
Summarized reviews, all positive, from M.P.W. – "A simple story, well told, Inspired by melodrama of the same title." T.R. – "Any exhibitor seeking rural drama with a goodly bit of humor will be repaid for examining it." N. – "It makes a fair entertainment because the sponsors have had the foresight to humanize it in every way possible." P.D. – "The picture offers entertainment only for a certain crowd, those who are satisfied with Improbable situations and the usual melodramatic hokum."Quotes from various reviews: Lukewarm to negative reviews (first 2 from same theater):
although some reviewers thought that "Director Howard has used nearly two reels too much in telling the story" and the plot twists were not believable. There was speculation that more clear title would have improved theater attendance even more.
The film was commercially successful.Three examples:
References
External links
Deserted at the Altar at the British Film Institute