The Web of Desire (1917)
Drama | 5 March 1917
Director:
Emile ChautardWriters:
Frances Marion, E. Lloyd SheldonProduction Company:
World Film Corp.; PeerlessThe upcoming production was announced in the 30 December 1916 Motography as a World Film Corp. release for the following year. General manager William A. Brady had recently declared that the company was focusing its efforts on “the exploitation of women stars.” Additional cast members included John Hines (27 January 1917 Motion Picture News) and Beth Tenney (12 April 1917 Motion Picture News Studio Directory).
Articles in the 3 January 1917 New York Clipper and the 13 January 1917 Motography revealed that child actress Madge Evans had received a wardrobe trunk after winning in a popularity contest conducted by an unidentified Midwest newspaper. She reportedly hoped to use it while on location for The Web of Desire, but filming took place only at Peerless Studios in Fort Lee, NJ. However, the 3 February 1917 Motion Picture News noted that the production had been completed, and she would soon be traveling to Florida for a featured role in Motherhood (1917, see entry).
The Web of Desire opened on 16 February 1917 at the Aladdin Theatre in Springfield, MO, and on 1 March 1917 at Loew’s DeKalb Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. A review in the 3 March 1917 Motography claimed that the release date was 5 February 1917, but it was listed as 5 March 1917 in the 7 April 1917 issue.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
...
The upcoming production was announced in the 30 December 1916 Motography as a World Film Corp. release for the following year. General manager William A. Brady had recently declared that the company was focusing its efforts on “the exploitation of women stars.” Additional cast members included John Hines (27 January 1917 Motion Picture News) and Beth Tenney (12 April 1917 Motion Picture News Studio Directory).
Articles in the 3 January 1917 New York Clipper and the 13 January 1917 Motography revealed that child actress Madge Evans had received a wardrobe trunk after winning in a popularity contest conducted by an unidentified Midwest newspaper. She reportedly hoped to use it while on location for The Web of Desire, but filming took place only at Peerless Studios in Fort Lee, NJ. However, the 3 February 1917 Motion Picture News noted that the production had been completed, and she would soon be traveling to Florida for a featured role in Motherhood (1917, see entry).
The Web of Desire opened on 16 February 1917 at the Aladdin Theatre in Springfield, MO, and on 1 March 1917 at Loew’s DeKalb Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. A review in the 3 March 1917 Motography claimed that the release date was 5 February 1917, but it was listed as 5 March 1917 in the 7 April 1917 issue.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
John Miller, president of the Western Power and Development Company, becomes a millionaire after his wife, Grace, inherits her father's stock. They move to New York City, where John is beset by business problems. He pays little attention to Grace, who responds to his neglect by becoming involved with a group of bohemians. Among her new acquaintances is Stuart Mordant, attorney for Thomas Hurd, one of John's business rivals. Stuart exploits Grace’s loneliness while making a deal with Thomas to gain control of her husband's company for $500,000. The attorney succeeds in compromising Grace, after which John insists upon a divorce. Grace transfers her stock to Stuart, and at the stockholders' meeting, Thomas demands John's resignation. He is about to comply when Grace enters, exposes Stuart, and stops the transfer. John offers Stuart a pistol, suggesting that suicide is his only honorable alternative. Stuart takes the gun and leaves the room, but escapes to Europe, leaving behind a note that exonerates Grace. She and John then decide to solve their problems ...
John Miller, president of the Western Power and Development Company, becomes a millionaire after his wife, Grace, inherits her father's stock. They move to New York City, where John is beset by business problems. He pays little attention to Grace, who responds to his neglect by becoming involved with a group of bohemians. Among her new acquaintances is Stuart Mordant, attorney for Thomas Hurd, one of John's business rivals. Stuart exploits Grace’s loneliness while making a deal with Thomas to gain control of her husband's company for $500,000. The attorney succeeds in compromising Grace, after which John insists upon a divorce. Grace transfers her stock to Stuart, and at the stockholders' meeting, Thomas demands John's resignation. He is about to comply when Grace enters, exposes Stuart, and stops the transfer. John offers Stuart a pistol, suggesting that suicide is his only honorable alternative. Stuart takes the gun and leaves the room, but escapes to Europe, leaving behind a note that exonerates Grace. She and John then decide to solve their problems together.
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