Pals First (1926)
Melodrama | 8 August 1926
Director:
Edwin CareweWriters:
Lois Leeson , Olga PrintzlauCinematographers:
Robert B. Kurrle, Al M. GreenProduction Company:
Edwin Carewe ProductionsEdwin Carewe directed an earlier adaptation of Francis Perry Elliott’s 1915 novel Pals First (and the subsequent stage version by Lee Wilson Dodd); the film starred Harold Lockwood and James Lackaye (see entry).
An article in the 7 March 1926 Los Angeles Times noted that Carewe had recently discovered Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio. Pals First marked her third film and first starring role, after appearances in Joanna (1925, see entry) and High Steppers (1926, entry), also directed by Carewe and written by Lois Leeson.
Principal photography was initially scheduled to take place at First National Pictures, Inc.’s New York studio, according to the 28 November 1925 Exhibitors Herald, which stated that Earl Hudson was set to supervise the production. However, the 3 April 1926 Motion Picture News announced that filming had begun that week at First National’s West Coast studio in Hollywood, CA, which was soon to be taken over by Famous Players-Lasky; at the time, First National was in the process of building new studio facilities in Burbank, CA. The 17 April 1926 Exhibitors Herald noted that Pals First shared a soundstage with another First National production, Miss Nobody (1926, see entry). A month later, the 15 May 1926 issue announced the completion of filming. According to a 9 June 1926 Los Angeles Times article, this marked Carewe’s final film on his contract for First National, where he had been directing the past five years. Carewe was said to be contemplating a trip to England to shoot films for a British production company.
...
Edwin Carewe directed an earlier adaptation of Francis Perry Elliott’s 1915 novel Pals First (and the subsequent stage version by Lee Wilson Dodd); the film starred Harold Lockwood and James Lackaye (see entry).
An article in the 7 March 1926 Los Angeles Times noted that Carewe had recently discovered Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio. Pals First marked her third film and first starring role, after appearances in Joanna (1925, see entry) and High Steppers (1926, entry), also directed by Carewe and written by Lois Leeson.
Principal photography was initially scheduled to take place at First National Pictures, Inc.’s New York studio, according to the 28 November 1925 Exhibitors Herald, which stated that Earl Hudson was set to supervise the production. However, the 3 April 1926 Motion Picture News announced that filming had begun that week at First National’s West Coast studio in Hollywood, CA, which was soon to be taken over by Famous Players-Lasky; at the time, First National was in the process of building new studio facilities in Burbank, CA. The 17 April 1926 Exhibitors Herald noted that Pals First shared a soundstage with another First National production, Miss Nobody (1926, see entry). A month later, the 15 May 1926 issue announced the completion of filming. According to a 9 June 1926 Los Angeles Times article, this marked Carewe’s final film on his contract for First National, where he had been directing the past five years. Carewe was said to be contemplating a trip to England to shoot films for a British production company.
While shooting was underway, a news item in the 13 April 1926 Los Angeles Times reported that cast member George Cooper was rushed to the hospital for acute appendicitis just three hours after performing in a “strenuous scene.”
Polly Moran was named as a cast member in the 3 May 1926 Los Angeles Times.
Theatrical release took place on 8 August 1926. A review in the 25 August 1926 Variety noted that a screen credit was given to Harper Bros. book publishers, which was described as “unusual” but possibly related to a promotional tie-in with the publisher of Elliott’s novel.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included the picture on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
Richard Castleman, master of Winnecrest Hall in Louisiana, goes on a sea voyage recommended by his cousin and physician, Harry Chilton, who thereupon begins romancing Castleman's fiancée, Jeanne Lamont. When word arrives of Castleman's death, Chilton prepares to usurp the fortune and property of the dead man. Danny Rowland, who is found wounded by two wandering crooks, Dominie and The Squirrel, opportunely arrives at the estate seeking food and rest; and because of his resemblance to Castleman, he is welcomed as the master. Dominie is introduced as an English cleric and The Squirrel as an Italian count, while Danny falls in love with Jeanne, who believes him to be her fiancé. Chilton, however, suspects the trio and finally unmasks them. It then develops that Danny actually is Castleman, who had decided to reform the two men who befriended him and to expose the dishonesty of his ...
Richard Castleman, master of Winnecrest Hall in Louisiana, goes on a sea voyage recommended by his cousin and physician, Harry Chilton, who thereupon begins romancing Castleman's fiancée, Jeanne Lamont. When word arrives of Castleman's death, Chilton prepares to usurp the fortune and property of the dead man. Danny Rowland, who is found wounded by two wandering crooks, Dominie and The Squirrel, opportunely arrives at the estate seeking food and rest; and because of his resemblance to Castleman, he is welcomed as the master. Dominie is introduced as an English cleric and The Squirrel as an Italian count, while Danny falls in love with Jeanne, who believes him to be her fiancé. Chilton, however, suspects the trio and finally unmasks them. It then develops that Danny actually is Castleman, who had decided to reform the two men who befriended him and to expose the dishonesty of his cousin.
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