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Hell Morgan’s Girl
(1917) United States of America
B&W : Five reels
Directed by Joseph de Grasse
Cast: Dorothy Phillips [Lola], William Stowell [Roger Curwell], Alfred Allen [Hell Morgan], Lon Chaney [Sleter Noble], Lilyan Rosine [Olga], Joseph Gerard [Oliver Curwell]
Bluebird Photoplays, Incorporated, production; distributed by Bluebird Photoplays, Incorporated, through The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [A Bluebird Special Release]. / Scenario by Ida May Park, from the screen story “The Wrong Side of Paradise” by Harvey Gates. Cinematography by King D. Gray. / Released 5 March 1917. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was originally announced for State Rights distribution by Universal; the film was withdrawn for immediate national distribution by Bluebird through Universal.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Oliver Curwell disowned his son Roger because he declined to abandon art and go into business, Roger gradually drifted from bad to worse until he was a derelict on the streets of San Francisco. In his art-student days a girl of the name of Olga had shown interest in him, believing he would inherit his father’s millions, but when he was cast off the girl abandoned her pretense of affection. One evening Roger wanders into “Sailor’s Rest,” a saloon and dance hall run by “Hell” Morgan. A work of art hanging behind the bar Roger denounced as a “daub.” Morgan resented this remark and was beating Roger when Lola saved his life by her interference. Morgan’s daughter continued to befriend Roger and finally prevailed upon her father to give Roger the job of playing the piano in the dance hall. Roger painted Lola’s portrait and they fell in love with each other. Sleter, a tough politician, objected, for the reason that he coveted Morgan’s daughter. Olga leads a party of friends to “Sailor’s Rest” on a slumming tour. She sees Roger at the piano and sends for him, as she reads in the newspapers of the death of Oliver Curwell, who willed his millions to his son. Roger joins Olga’s party, and the old days are recalled. He forgets his love for Lola, and makes advances which Olga reciprocates. Lola goes to the party of slummers, and takes physical toll of both Roger and Olga. As a result Roger leaves “Sailor’s Rest” and Lola resigns herself to Sleter. But when he attempts to collect his reward, Lola rebels and resists his advances. The tumult in Lola’s room attracts “Hell” Morgan. He dashes upstairs, and in an encounter with Sleter is shot and mortally wounded. Lola drives Sleter from her room and escapes, dragging her father down a fire escape. Hardly have they reached the ground when San Francisco’s earthquake and fire break loose. “Sailor’s Rest” tumbles in a burning heap. Helping her father, Lola reaches the Presidio, where refugees are assembling. Her father is near death and she seeks a doctor in the crowd. Roger has been drawn back to “Sailor’s Rest” by his love for Lola, and when he finds the place in ruins he likewise wends his way to the Presidio. Fate brings them together as “Hell” Morgan dies. // Additional synopsis available in Hirschhorn-Universal p. 25.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Alcohol: Drunkeness - Artists: Paintings - Barbary Coast - Beds - Death - Deception - Disinheritances - Earthquakes - Fire escapes - Inheritances - Jealousy - Medical: Gunshot wounds - Musical instruments: Pianos - Natural disasters: Earthquakes: 1906 San Francisco Earthquake - Saloons - Slumming parties - USA: California: San Francisco - Vamps - Weapons: Guns
Listing updated: 24 December 2024.
References: Blake-Films p. xvii; Edmonds-BigU pp. 50, 77, 78-79, 81, 91, 96, 120; Hirschhorn-Universal p. 25; Spehr-American p. 100; Weaver-Twenty p. 76 : Website-IMDb.
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