Footlights (1921)
Drama | 2 October 1921
Director:
John S. RobertsonWriter:
Josephine LovettCinematographer:
Roy OverbaughProduction Designer:
Robert M. HaasProduction Company:
Famous Players-Lasky Corp.The scenario was based on the short story, "Footlights," by Rita Weiman, published in the 17 May 1919 Saturday Evening Post. Articles in the 26 June 1920 and 31 July 1920 issues of Moving Picture World claimed that Weiman wrote the story specifically for producer-director William C. de Mille, and that the adaptation was to be written by Olga Printzlau.
Months later, the 5 March 1921 Motion Picture News reported that writer Thomas J. Geraghty had assigned scenarist Josephine Lovett to the project, which would be directed by John S. Robertson at Famous Players-Lasky Studios in Astoria, Queens, NY. Principal photography began soon after, as noted in the 19 March 1921 Moving Picture World. That same article also revealed that the team of Robertson, Weiman, and lead actress Elsie Ferguson had recently completed another Paramount release, Sentimental Tommy (1921, see entry). The July 1921 Picture-Play stated that Ferguson performed a scene in which she impersonated vaudeville star Eddie Foy, entertaining every crew member within “fifty feet of her set.”
Also joining the project were actor Paul McAllister (16 April 1921 Moving Picture World); columnist Christopher Morley and retired businessman A. H. Symons, who appeared as members of a “box party” in a theater sequence (August 1921 Picture-Play); actress Mary Beth Milford and possibly Ernest Belcher (15 October 1921 Camera); and cameraman Fred Waller (4 February 1922 Camera). The impending close of production was reported in the 23 April 1921 Moving Picture World.
Footlights was released on 2 October 1921, preceded ...
The scenario was based on the short story, "Footlights," by Rita Weiman, published in the 17 May 1919 Saturday Evening Post. Articles in the 26 June 1920 and 31 July 1920 issues of Moving Picture World claimed that Weiman wrote the story specifically for producer-director William C. de Mille, and that the adaptation was to be written by Olga Printzlau.
Months later, the 5 March 1921 Motion Picture News reported that writer Thomas J. Geraghty had assigned scenarist Josephine Lovett to the project, which would be directed by John S. Robertson at Famous Players-Lasky Studios in Astoria, Queens, NY. Principal photography began soon after, as noted in the 19 March 1921 Moving Picture World. That same article also revealed that the team of Robertson, Weiman, and lead actress Elsie Ferguson had recently completed another Paramount release, Sentimental Tommy (1921, see entry). The July 1921 Picture-Play stated that Ferguson performed a scene in which she impersonated vaudeville star Eddie Foy, entertaining every crew member within “fifty feet of her set.”
Also joining the project were actor Paul McAllister (16 April 1921 Moving Picture World); columnist Christopher Morley and retired businessman A. H. Symons, who appeared as members of a “box party” in a theater sequence (August 1921 Picture-Play); actress Mary Beth Milford and possibly Ernest Belcher (15 October 1921 Camera); and cameraman Fred Waller (4 February 1922 Camera). The impending close of production was reported in the 23 April 1921 Moving Picture World.
Footlights was released on 2 October 1921, preceded by a Los Angeles, CA, debut at Grauman’s Million Dollar Theatre on 29 August 1921. The cover of the 8 October 1921 Moving Picture World featured a quote from critic Mae Tinee of the Chicago Tribune, praising the film as Ferguson’s best effort to date.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
Vaudevillian Lizzie Parsons scores a success as an impressionist and attracts the attention of theatrical promoter Oswald Kane, who introduces her to the New York City stage as Lisa Parsinova, a famous Russian actress. Sometime later, Lizzie falls in love with wealthy Brett Page and begins to despise her new persona. Oswald promises to release Lizzie from her contract if she can convince the public that Lisa has died. At the close of the season, an empty boat is found containing Lisa’s clothing and nothing else. Brett searches in vain for the "drowned" actress and finally meets Lizzie as her ordinary American self in a railroad restaurant, where he convinces her that he loves her for her true ...
Vaudevillian Lizzie Parsons scores a success as an impressionist and attracts the attention of theatrical promoter Oswald Kane, who introduces her to the New York City stage as Lisa Parsinova, a famous Russian actress. Sometime later, Lizzie falls in love with wealthy Brett Page and begins to despise her new persona. Oswald promises to release Lizzie from her contract if she can convince the public that Lisa has died. At the close of the season, an empty boat is found containing Lisa’s clothing and nothing else. Brett searches in vain for the "drowned" actress and finally meets Lizzie as her ordinary American self in a railroad restaurant, where he convinces her that he loves her for her true self.
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