Sealed Hearts (1919)
Drama | 16 November 1919
Director:
Ralph InceWriters:
R. Cecil Smith, Eugene Walter, Edmund GouldingProduction Company:
Selznick Pictures Corp.The start of principal photography was announced in the 26 Jul 1919 Wid’s Daily. The 9 Aug 1919 Motion Picture News noted that production took place at Biograph Studios in Bronx, NY. Lead actor Eugene O’Brien claimed that he was often distracted during production by entertainer Elsie Janis, who was working on a neighboring set. Filming was completed in early Sep 1919, according to articles in the 6 Sep 1919 Exhibitors Herald and Motography and the 13 Sep 1919 Motion Picture World. Within days, the 20 Sep 1919 Exhibitors Herald reported that O’Brien was being treated for an ear abscess.
Sealed Hearts was released on 16 Nov 1919, followed by an opening that same week at the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia, PA, and a 21 Feb 1920 Los Angeles opening at the Alvarado Theatre. Critics for the 14 Nov 1919 Var, 15 Nov 1919 Motion Picture News, and Feb 1920 Photoplay agreed that the film did not adequately showcase O’Brien, who was overshadowed by co-star Robert Edeson. Some reviews referred to the characters named "Prentiss" as "Marchbanks," and the characters named "Gray" as "Rutherfords."
Letters to the Jun 1920 and Jan 1921 editions of Photoplay revealed two continuity problems with the picture. The first noted a scene in which O’Brien climbed a flight of stairs wearing a vest, but arrived at the top without it. Another sequence showed actress Lucille Lee Stewart suffering a sprained right ankle, and later saying her left ankle was injured.
The scenario ...
The start of principal photography was announced in the 26 Jul 1919 Wid’s Daily. The 9 Aug 1919 Motion Picture News noted that production took place at Biograph Studios in Bronx, NY. Lead actor Eugene O’Brien claimed that he was often distracted during production by entertainer Elsie Janis, who was working on a neighboring set. Filming was completed in early Sep 1919, according to articles in the 6 Sep 1919 Exhibitors Herald and Motography and the 13 Sep 1919 Motion Picture World. Within days, the 20 Sep 1919 Exhibitors Herald reported that O’Brien was being treated for an ear abscess.
Sealed Hearts was released on 16 Nov 1919, followed by an opening that same week at the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia, PA, and a 21 Feb 1920 Los Angeles opening at the Alvarado Theatre. Critics for the 14 Nov 1919 Var, 15 Nov 1919 Motion Picture News, and Feb 1920 Photoplay agreed that the film did not adequately showcase O’Brien, who was overshadowed by co-star Robert Edeson. Some reviews referred to the characters named "Prentiss" as "Marchbanks," and the characters named "Gray" as "Rutherfords."
Letters to the Jun 1920 and Jan 1921 editions of Photoplay revealed two continuity problems with the picture. The first noted a scene in which O’Brien climbed a flight of stairs wearing a vest, but arrived at the top without it. Another sequence showed actress Lucille Lee Stewart suffering a sprained right ankle, and later saying her left ankle was injured.
The scenario was adapted by Joseph Bernard Rethy as a short story for the Dec 1919 Picture-Play.
An item in the 15 Dec 1919 Motion Picture Times stated that music publisher Irving Berlin, Inc., featured O’Brien on the cover of sheet music for the song, Sealed Hearts, named after the film.
Frank Prentiss, a multi-millionaire who hates and distrusts women, convinces his adopted son, Jack, that they are detrimental to a man's success. The overworked Frank is forced to rest at the country home of his friend, Mr. Gray, where he meets and falls in love with the host's daughter, Kate. She refuses his proposal at first, but later accepts because her father, who has two younger children, is experiencing financial difficulties. Following the wedding, Kate is subjected to Frank’s verbal abuse and seeks solace with Jack. Their friendship enrages Frank, who tortures them with his accusations. During a dinner party, Frank accuses Jack and Kate of being lovers in front of the male guests. Jack is restrained from accosting his father, but Frank suffers a fatal heart attack. Later, Jack and Kate fall in love and are ...
Frank Prentiss, a multi-millionaire who hates and distrusts women, convinces his adopted son, Jack, that they are detrimental to a man's success. The overworked Frank is forced to rest at the country home of his friend, Mr. Gray, where he meets and falls in love with the host's daughter, Kate. She refuses his proposal at first, but later accepts because her father, who has two younger children, is experiencing financial difficulties. Following the wedding, Kate is subjected to Frank’s verbal abuse and seeks solace with Jack. Their friendship enrages Frank, who tortures them with his accusations. During a dinner party, Frank accuses Jack and Kate of being lovers in front of the male guests. Jack is restrained from accosting his father, but Frank suffers a fatal heart attack. Later, Jack and Kate fall in love and are married.
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