''Closed Gates'' is a 1927 American silent

melodrama film In film studies and criticism, melodrama may variously refer to a genre, mode, style or sensibility characterized by its emphasis on intense and exaggerated emotions and heightened dramatic situations. There is no fixed definition of the term an ...

based on a story by

Manfred Lee Ellery Queen is a pseudonym created in 1928 by the American detective fiction writers Frederic Dannay (1905–1982) and Manfred Bennington Lee (1905–1971). It is also the name of their main fictional detective, a mystery writer in New York Cit ...

and directed by

Phil Rosen Philip E. Rosen (May 8, 1888 – October 22, 1951) was an American film director and cinematographer. He directed more than 140 films between 1915 and 1949. He was born in Malbork, Marienburg, German Empire (now, Malbork, Poland), grew up ...

. It stars

John Harron John Harron (March 31, 1904 – November 24, 1939) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 160 films between 1918 and 1940. Born on March 31, 1904, in New York City, he was the brother of actor Robert Harron and of actress Mary ...

Jane Novak Jane Novak (born Johana Barbara Novak; January 12, 1896 – February 3, 1990) was an United States of America, American actress of the silent film era. Background Jane Novak was born Johana Barbara Novak in St. Louis, Missouri to Bohemian immigr ...

, and Lucy Beaumont, and was released on June 1, 1927.

Cast list

Plot

George Newell Jr. is the son of wealthy parents. In the days leading up to

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, he disgraces himself and his family. In order to redeem himself, he enlists after the war breaks out. During battle he is injured and loses his memory. He is lovingly cared for by his nurse, with whom he falls in love. While at work, he collapses from exhaustion, and is taken to a sanitarium to recuperate. While there, his father and cousin, Harvey, see him, but do not reveal that they know him. However, the maid, Bridget learns of the younger Newell's plight and brings him back to the family home, where the sight of his mother's wheelchair jogs his memory, and he reconciles with his father.

Preservation

A print of ''Closed Gates'' is held in the French archive

Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée The Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (; CNC; ) is an agency of the French Ministry of Culture, and is responsible for the production and promotion of cinematic and audiovisual arts in France. The CNC is a publicly owned establis ...

Fort de Bois-d'Arcy The Fort de Bois-d'Arcy (), also called the Batterie de Bois-d'Arcy (), is one of the forts constructed at the end of the 19th century to defend Paris. It is located in the commune of Bois d'Arcy in the Yvelines département of France. The fort ...

Reception

At the time of the film's release, ''The New York Times'' published a mostly negative review with the only positive remarks reserved for Jane Novak: "Were it not for Miss Novak there would not be a bright spot in this production." ''

Photoplay ''Photoplay'' was one of the first American film fan magazines, its title another word for screenplay. It was founded in Chicago in 1911. Under early editors Julian Johnson and James R. Quirk, in style and reach it became a pacesetter for fan m ...

'' called it a "fair little yarn", but warned viewers not to "expect too much".

References

External links

* * * {{Phil Rosen Films directed by Phil Rosen 1920s melodrama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films 1927 drama films 1927 films 1920s American films Silent American drama films