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The Inner Chamber (1921)


The Inner Chamber (1921) Vitagraph Co. of America. Director: Edward Jose. Scenario: C. Graham Baker. Cast: Alice Joyce, Jane Jennings, Pedro De Cordoba, Holmes E. Herbert, John Webb Dillon, Grace Barton, Ida Waterman, Josephine Whittell, Mrs. De Wolf Hopper. 6 reels This film appears to be LOST


Still photo .
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Alice Joyce and older woman
Alice Joyce and older woman A lobby card (thanks to Derek Boothroyd for these scan).
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Review from Variety
Review from Moving Picture World
Review from Photoplay




Review from Variety, October 7, 1921

THE INNER CHAMBER
Claire Robson Alice Joyce
Mrs. Robson Jane Jennings
Dr. George Danilo Pedro de Cordoba
Edward J. Wellman Holmes E. Herbert
Sawyer Flint John Webb Dillon
Mrs. Sawyer Flint Grace Barton
Mrs. Finch-Brown Ida Waterman
Nellie McGuire Josephine Whittell
Mrs. Candor Mrs. De Wolf Hopper

This is a Vitagraph six-reeler that would have made a much better picture had it been a two-reeler. The story was originally entitled "The Blood Red Dawn," written by Charles Coldwell Dobie. The direction was by Edward Jose. In brief, the picture is one of those affairs permitted to wend its way through interminable footage all to no purpose to put over a slight kick at the finish. The result is that it is exceedingly draggy and drawn out.

The yarn drags through a series of episodes of the poor working girl with a sick mother whose boss tries to win her. The audience is far ahead of the story during this section for they have seen the selfsame things so many times on the screen. As the developments get down to the last two reels, there is really something stirring. The girl marries an Italian doctor, the best friend of the man she is in love with. After the ceremony the doctor discovers his wife and best friend have been acquainted in the past; his Latin blood runs riot, with the result he takes a shot at what he supposes is his wife but it is only her reflection in a mirror. Atop of that he shoots himself. In the end he dies and the lovers are reunited.

Alice Joyce gives a fairly interesting performance at certain points but the honors must be conferred on Josephine Whittell as a hick steno. She is there as far as the screen is concerned and invests her role with a quality of naturalness that should take her far in screen work.

Pedro de Cordoba and Holmes E. Herbert divide the male honors while John Webb Dillon is an acceptable conventional heavy.

Just what the title of "The Inner Chamber" means is a guess ; surely there is nothing about the picture that suggests it.

The production is nothing out of the ordinary and is quite in keeping with the usual Vitagraph standard of old fashionedness.

Fred.



Review from Moving Picture World, September 3, 1921


"The Inner Chamber"
Alice Joyce Has Excellent Opportunities in Her Latest Vitagraph Picture
Reviewed by Jacob Smith.

"The Inner Chamber" is not the best of the Joyce-Vitagraph pictures, but it is certainly one of the most pleasing. It is taken from the story, "The Blood Red Dawn." Miss Joyce displays her usual attractiveness and ability as a screen actress and justifies Vitagraph in making her a star. The photography in this picture is exceptionally good, while the lighting effects are the best that have been in any Vitagraph feature for a long while, being both novel and distinctive.

As for the story, it is not new; in fact, it is along conventional lines. But a new plot these days is something very rare, so to say that a story is "conventional" is not meant in the way of criticism. After all, what story to-day isn't more or less conventional? It is an interesting picture, exceedingly well done and it holds interest from the start. Even if the story were a poor one, the photography alone would command attention.

The Cast.
Claire Robson Alice Joyce
Mrs. Robson Jane Jennings
Dr. George Danilo Pedro de Cordoba
Edward J. Wellman Holmes E. Herbert
Sawyer Flint John Webb Dillon
Mrs. Sawyer Flint Grace Barton
Mrs. Finch-Brown Ida Waterman
Nellie McGuire Josephine Whittell
Mrs. Candor Mrs. De Wolf Hopper

Story by Charles Caldwell Dobie.
Directed by Edward Jose.
Length, six reels.

The Story.
Claire Robson, a girl without money, is annoyed by another, and a third man steps in to try to protect her and does so. She instinctively loves him and he her, but a woman who has designs upon the kindly disposed individual tells Claire, the chap is married. Thereupon she misinterprets his actions and dismisses him. Then her mother is taken seriously ill and is saved by an Italian doctor. He makes violent love to the daughter. Out of thankfulness for what he has done for her mother, she consents to wed him. Upon their nuptial night he learns from a gossip what he believes to be true--a lie regarding his wife's former association with the good-natured chap. There is a scene and the husband shoots himself, but before dying he learns the truth. His death leaves the way clear for the two lovers to straighten out their mistake.

Exploitation Angles: Use the book title in your advertising, but give most of the work to Miss Joyce, who is well able to carry it.



Review from Photoplay, October 1921

Film Still

THE INNER CHAMBER--Vitagraph

A GLOOMY background is furnished Alice Joyce this month. Why the sudden vogue of nineteenth century melodrama? Of course, Pedro de Cordoba can die artistically, and Holmes K. Herbert can wear a sad look in a most interesting manner, and Alice is appealing, happy or sad, but her place is in the sun, not the shadows. Here is an excellent cast in an average production. Author! Author!






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Last revised May 30, 2009