Sweet Lavender (1920 film)

Sweet Lavender is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Paul Powell and starring Mary Miles Minter. The scenario was adapted by Beulah Marie Dix from the 1888 play of the same name by Arthur Wing Pinero.[1] Like many of Minter's features, it is thought to be a lost film.[2]

Sweet Lavender
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Directed byPaul Powell
Screenplay byBeulah Marie Dix
Based onSweet Lavender
by Arthur Wing Pinero
StarringMary Miles Minter
Milton Sills
Harold Goodwin
Jane Keckley
CinematographyWilliam Marshall
Production
company
Realart Pictures Corporation
Distributed byRealart Pictures Corporation
Release date
  • October 1920 (1920-10)
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot
Mary Miles Minter in a scene from "Sweet Lavender" (1920)

As described in various film magazine reviews,[3][4][5][6] Lavender (Minter) lives with her aunt Ruth Holt (Keckley), who runs a boarding house for college boys. Lavender believes that Ruth is her mother; she does not know that her real mother died in childbirth after her husband cast her out for her lower social status.

Among the boys at Ruth's boarding house is a freshman called Clem Hale (Goodwin). Some sophomores play a prank on him, tying him to a chair when he is supposed to be giving a speech at a dinner. Lavender deceives the sophomores and rescues Clem from his plight, and a romance develops between them.

Clem's guardian, Horace Weatherburn (Sills), pays his charge a visit, and, thinking Lavender to be beneath Clem's status, objects vehemently to the relationship. Lavender's aunt Ruth also objects, but for very different reasons; she recognises Weatherburn as her sister's cruel husband, and thus Lavender's father. Lavender is sent off to boarding school and away from Clem.

Lavender escapes from boarding school when she hears that Clem is seriously ill. Disguising herself in boys' clothes, she walks through the rain until she is overcome with exhaustion and faints. Weatherburn finds her, and recognises her from Clem's engagement ring, which she still wears. Impressed by Lavender's devotion to Clem at the expense of her own safety, he takes her to him. Mrs. Holt tells Weatherburn the truth - that Lavender is really his daughter - and all objections to her union with Clem are overcome.

The September 4th, 1920 edition of Motion Picture News lists a musical cue sheet for the film.[7]

Cast
Lantern Slide for "Sweet Lavender"

References
  1. ""Sweet Lavender" Now Ready". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 22 (13): . September 18, 1920.
  2. The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Sweet Lavender
  3. "Reviews: Sweet Lavender". Wid's Daily. New York: Wid’s Film and Film Folks inc. 14 (10): 13. October 10, 1920.
  4. "The Complete Plan Book: Sweet Lavender". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 22 (17): . October 16, 1920.
  5. "Latest Reviews and Comments: Sweet Lavender". Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company. 46 (4): . September 25, 1920.
  6. "Reviews: Mary Miles Minter in Sweet Lavender". Exhibitors Herald. Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co. 11 (12): . September 18, 1920.
  7. "Music: Sweet Lavender". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 22 (11): . September 4, 1920.
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