The Love That Lives

The Love That Lives is a 1917 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players Film Company and distributed through Paramount Pictures. The film stars Pauline Frederick and was directed by Robert G. Vignola. The film is based on the story "Flames of Sacrifice", by Scudder Middleton.[1]

The Love That Lives
Newspaper advertisement
Directed byRobert G. Vignola
Based on"Flames of Sacrifice"
by Scudder Middleton
StarringPauline Frederick
CinematographyNed Van Buren
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • July 9, 1917 (1917-07-09)
Running time
50 mins.
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

A copy of this film is preserved at the George Eastman House in New York.[1][2]

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,[3] the life of Molly McGill (Frederick) has been a hard struggle since birth, and upon the death of her husband in a barroom brawl and her baby daughter in an accident, she offers herself to Harvey Brooks (St. Polis), a broker, to provide money for the education of her son Jimmy (Carroll / O'Malley). She keeps her life a secret from the boy. He grows to manhood, secures a position in the city fire department, and becomes engaged to Dora Palmer (Palmer). Molly breaks with Brooks and sinks to the slum's lowest level. One day while passing the engine room, Molly sees her son taking to his sweetheart. She gets a job as a scrubwoman and later saves Dora from Brooks by stabbing him. The office building catches fire and Jimmy saves Dora but is unable to save his mother.

Cast
  • Pauline Frederick - Molly McGill
  • John St. Polis - Harvey Brooks
  • Pat O'Malley - Jimmy
  • Joseph Carroll - Jimmy as a Child
  • Violet Palmer - Dora Palmer
  • Frank Evans - Pete McGill
  • Eldean Steuart - Littly Molly

Reception

Like many American films of the time, The Love That Lives was subject to city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors initially issued the film, due to its subject matter, an Adults Only permit.[4] On further review, the Chicago Board required the following changes which altered the plot: Reel 1, cut two craps shooting scenes and flash three others, cut killing of man; Reel 2, after the vision of Molly in rich garb insert intertitle "If not for the boy she would be a desirable wife", cut vision of shooting; Reel 3, insert an intertitle where Molly and Brooks are talking "If you marry me, I will provide for you and the boy. If you don't, it means struggle and poverty for you both", add intertitle "Midnight" and clock indicating the same, on envelope change name from "Molly McGill" to "Molly Brooks", and insert subtitle "My marriage was a mistake, I should have remained with my boy" during an altercation between Molly and Brooks; Reel 4, cut all scenes in dance hall newsman sells Molly newspaper to include subtitle starting with "Cheer up, old girl"; Reel 5, cut entire sequence of girl's exposed legs, a man looking at them, and girl pulling down dress, cut man locking door, intertitle "You may go, but the girl remains", and the stabbing of a man with spindle.[5]

References
  1. Progressive Silent Film List: The Love That Lives at silentera.com
  2. The Love That Lives at The Pauline Frederick page on the Unsung Divas database; by Greta deGroat
  3. "Reviews: Pauline Frederick in The Love That Lives". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (5): 25. 28 July 1917. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
  4. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (6): 33. 4 August 1917.
  5. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (9): 33. 25 August 1917.
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