Are You Legally Married? is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Robert Thornby and starring Lew Cody, Rosemary Theby and Roy Laidlaw.Connelly p.17 The film premiered in October of 1919 and was produced by Success Pictures Company.
The story explores marital themes and divorce. Promotional material for the film included the tagline, "Are your children legitimate?"
Plot June Redding, a ranch owner, marries lawyer John Stark, but his dishonesty and reckless habits drive her to divorce him in Reno after New York law prevents it. She remarries Wayne Hearne, a man of integrity, and they have a child together. When Stark discovers her Reno divorce is not legally valid, he blackmails her for bigamy, leading to a court case he wins. In a final confrontation, Stark is accidentally killed, freeing June and Wayne to continue their family life in peace.
Cast Lew Cody as John Stark Rosemary Theby as June Redding Nanon Welsh as Sue Redding Henry Woodward as Wayne Hearne H.J. Barrows as J.J. Redding Roy Laidlaw as Henry Martin
Court Case In 1919, writer Miles Dobson filed for damages against Robert Thornby and two producing companies arguing that the story was stolen from the writer.
References
Connelly, Robert B. The Silents: Silent Feature Films, 1910-36, Volume 40, Issue 2. December Press, 1998.
External links
Lantern slide held by George Eastman Museum