''The Easiest Way'' is a 1917 American silent film starring

Clara Kimball Young Clara Kimball Young (born Edith Matilda Clara Kimball; September 6, 1890 – October 15, 1960) was an American film actress who was popular in the early silent film era. Early life Edith Matilda Clara Kimball was born in Chicago on Septembe ...

and directed by

Albert Capellani Albert Capellani (23 August 1874 – 26 September 1931) was a French film director and screenwriter of the silent film, silent era. He directed films between 1905 and 1922. One of his brothers was the actor-sculptor Paul Capellani, and anoth ...

. It is based on a 1909 play, ''The Easiest Way'' by

Eugene Walter Eugene Ferdinand Walter, Jr. (November 30, 1921 – March 29, 1998) was an American screenwriter, poet, short-story author, actor, puppeteer, gourmet chef, cryptographer, translator, editor, costume designer and well-known raconteur. During his y ...

, staged by

David Belasco David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of ...

and starred Frances Starr as Laura Murdock. Belasco and Starr revived the play in 1921. It is not known whether the film currently survives. Actor Joseph Kilgour reprises his role as Brockton from the Broadway play.

Plot summary

Production

Portions of the film depicting Colorado Springs were filmed in and around

Skyland Resort Skyland Resort is a hotel and resort in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Skyland Resort, originally called Stony Man Camp, was built in 1895 at what later became the highest point on the Skyline Drive, with a sweeping view of the Shenan ...

in what is now

Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park (often ) is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States that encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The park is long and narrow, with the Shenandoah River and its ...

Cast

- Laura Murdock * Louise Bates - Elfie St. Clair *

Joseph Kilgour Joseph Kilgour (11 July 1863 – 21 April 1933) was a Canadian actor of the silent film era. He was a well-known veteran stage actor in Broadway theatre before entering silent films. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1909 and 1926. Kil ...

- Willard Brockton *

Rockliffe Fellowes Rockliffe St Patrick Fellowes (17 March 1884 – 28 January 1950), was a Canadian actor born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He starred in films such as ''Regeneration (1915 film), Regeneration'' and ''Monkey Business (1931 film), Monkey Busin ...

- John Madison * Cleo Desmond - Annie * George Stevens - Jim Weston * Frank Kingdon - Burgess * Mae Hopkins - Nellie De Vere * Walter McEwen - Jerry

References

External links

* * * 1917 films American silent feature films American films based on plays Films directed by Albert Capellani American black-and-white films 1917 romantic drama films Selznick Pictures films 1910s American films Silent American romantic drama films 1910s English-language films English-language romantic drama films {{silent-romantic-drama-film-stub