Lightnin' (1925 film)

Lightnin'
Poster
Directed byJohn Ford
Written byFrances Marion
Based onLightnin'
by Winchell Smith and Frank Bacon
StarringJay Hunt
Wallace MacDonald
CinematographyJoseph H. August
Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • August 23, 1925 (1925-08-23)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Lightnin' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by John Ford.[1] It was based on a successful play of the same name. The original run of the play started in 1918 at the Gaiety Theatre and continued for 1,291 performances, breaking the record for longest running play at that time.[2][3] The film was remade in 1930 by Henry King for Fox as an early talkie starring Will Rogers with support from Louise Dresser and Joel McCrea.

Plot

As described in a film magazine reviews,[4] war veteran Lightnin’ Bill Jones is a likeable old man who has a friend in every acquaintance, and loves his dog and his liquor. His wife and he operate a hotel. When some swindlers from the city seek to get possession of the property, Lightnin’ Bill Jones sees through their scheme and refuses to sign the deeds. His wife construes his refusal as a malicious move and sues him for divorce. In the courtroom, she relents and, at the moment before the decree is handed down, they become reconciled.

Cast

References

  1. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Lightnin'". silentera.com. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  2. ^ "Old Play in Manhattan". Time Magazine. Theater. Vol. XXXII, no. 13. September 26, 1938. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010.
  3. ^ "Lightnin'". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  4. ^ "New Pictures: Lightnin' ", Exhibitors Herald, 22 (10), Chicago, Illinois: Exhibitors Herald Company: 85, August 29, 1925, retrieved August 14, 2022 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.