The Red Lily was the only American feature film written by Fred Niblo, who worked primarily as a director and actor. The film starred his wife, Enid Bennett, and Ramon Novarro, whose younger brother, Eduardo Novarro, was said to be cast in a small part, according to the 20 April 1924 Los Angeles Times. Dorcas Matthews and Edna Tichenor were also named as cast members in the 30 April 1924 and 15 May 1924 issues.
       Although a 26 March 1924 Los Angeles Times brief announced that Niblo was scheduled to travel to France in June to shoot the Parisian tale on location, the 11 April 1924 Los Angeles Times stated that principal photography had already begun. Shooting took place at Clune Studios in Hollywood, CA, as noted in the 3 June 1924 Los Angeles Times. An item in the 27 May 1924 Los Angeles Times stated that filming was completed with the exception of some foreign exteriors, which Niblo planned to capture on his upcoming trip to Europe. The 31 May 1924 Los Angeles Times reported rumors that Niblo’s overseas trip was not for pleasure but for work, as he had been chosen to replace Charles Brabin as director of Ben-Hur (1925, see entry). Ramon Novarro was also rumored to be replacing George Walsh in the titular role of that film, and both rumors turned out to be true.
       Prior to theatrical release of The Red Lily on 8 September 1924, an earlier opening took place in Los Angeles, CA, on or just prior to 31 August 1924. The film received very positive reviews in the 3 August 1924 Film Daily and 29 September 1924 New York Times, which noted that its settings, though recreated at a studio, bore “a striking fidelity” to the Parisian locale. The latter also praised Enid Bennett’s portrayal of “Marise La Noue” as “one of the most remarkable performances ever seen on the screen.”
       According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.