Under the Lash (1921)
Melodrama | 18 December 1921
Director:
Sam WoodWriter:
J. E. NashCinematographer:
Al GilksProduction Company:
Famous Players-Lasky Corp.The scenario was based on the 1904 novel, The Shulamite by Alice and Claude Askew (London, 1904), and the 1906 play of the same name by Edward Knoblock and Claude Askew.
A screen version, provisionally titled The Shulamite, was announced in the 5 February 1921 Exhibitors Herald. Although the May 1921 Motion Picture Classic credited Betty Compson the female lead, the 28 May 1921 Motion Picture News confirmed Gloria Swanson for the role. Principal photography began on 16 May 1921 at Famous Players-Lasky Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Two months later, the 16 July 1921 Motion Picture News reported the film’s official title as Under the Lash. It was released on 18 December 1921, preceded by openings at the Rialto Theatre in New York City during the week of 16 October 1921, and at Grauman’s Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during the week of 23 October 1921. A review in the 21 October 1921 Variety speculated that Gloria Swanson’s character must have been anticipating the sudden death of her husband, as her highly fashionable mourning outfit would be difficult to find in rural South Africa.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
...
The scenario was based on the 1904 novel, The Shulamite by Alice and Claude Askew (London, 1904), and the 1906 play of the same name by Edward Knoblock and Claude Askew.
A screen version, provisionally titled The Shulamite, was announced in the 5 February 1921 Exhibitors Herald. Although the May 1921 Motion Picture Classic credited Betty Compson the female lead, the 28 May 1921 Motion Picture News confirmed Gloria Swanson for the role. Principal photography began on 16 May 1921 at Famous Players-Lasky Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Two months later, the 16 July 1921 Motion Picture News reported the film’s official title as Under the Lash. It was released on 18 December 1921, preceded by openings at the Rialto Theatre in New York City during the week of 16 October 1921, and at Grauman’s Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during the week of 23 October 1921. A review in the 21 October 1921 Variety speculated that Gloria Swanson’s character must have been anticipating the sudden death of her husband, as her highly fashionable mourning outfit would be difficult to find in rural South Africa.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
In South Africa, Deborah Krillet is the young wife of elderly Simeon Krillet, a Boer farmer and religious fanatic. Englishman Robert Waring is hired as the farm’s overseer, and Deborah falls in love with him. Simeon threatens to beat Deborah for reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet but he relents when she falsely claims to be pregnant. She later confesses the lie to Robert and records it in her diary. Upon discovering the deception, Simeon declares that he must kill Deborah. As a storm gathers outside, Robert saves Deborah by shooting her husband. Although Simeon is reported to have been killed in the storm, his sister, Anna, learns the truth. To silence her, Deborah surrenders the farm and her husband's money. Robert is notified that his wife has been granted a divorce, and the lovers are ...
In South Africa, Deborah Krillet is the young wife of elderly Simeon Krillet, a Boer farmer and religious fanatic. Englishman Robert Waring is hired as the farm’s overseer, and Deborah falls in love with him. Simeon threatens to beat Deborah for reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet but he relents when she falsely claims to be pregnant. She later confesses the lie to Robert and records it in her diary. Upon discovering the deception, Simeon declares that he must kill Deborah. As a storm gathers outside, Robert saves Deborah by shooting her husband. Although Simeon is reported to have been killed in the storm, his sister, Anna, learns the truth. To silence her, Deborah surrenders the farm and her husband's money. Robert is notified that his wife has been granted a divorce, and the lovers are united.
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