''The Speed Girl'' is a lost 1921 American silent

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

produced by Realart Pictures and released through

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

. It was directed by Maurice Campbell, a Broadway director and producer, and starred

Bebe Daniels Phyllis Virginia "Bebe" () Daniels (January 14, 1901 – March 16, 1971) was an American actress, singer, dancer, writer, and producer. She began her career in Hollywood during the silent film era as a child actress, became a star in musicals s ...

, then a popular 20-year-old veteran film actress. The film was supposedly expanded into a screenplay from Bebe Daniels's real life jail sentence of 10 days for speeding.

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, screen star Betty Lee is in love with naval officer Tom Manley. Tom is due back on his ship at a certain hour and Betty, not realizing the importance of this, sets his watch back. When she is told that he will be

court-martial A court-martial (plural ''courts-martial'' or ''courts martial'', as "martial" is a postpositive adjective) is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the arme ...

ed if he is not on deck on time, Betty endeavors to get him back in town. She is arrested for speeding and put in a jail cell. Hundreds of fans visit, and Judge Ketcham (Courtright), who had sentenced her, brings a bouquet and apologizes. Betty befriends a fellow prisoner and is instrumental in helping her, too.

Cast

as Betty Lee *

Theodore von Eltz Julius Theodore von Eltz (November 5, 1893 – October 6, 1964) was an American film actor, appearing in more than 200 films between 1915 and 1957. He was the father of actress Lori March. Early life Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Von Eltz ...

as Tom Manley * Frank Elliott as Carl D'Arcy *

Walter Hiers Walter Hiers (July 18, 1893 – February 27, 1933) was an American silent film actor. Biography Born in 1893, during his two decade-long acting career spanning from 1912 to 1932, Hiers acted in 101 films. He was a particularly prolific actor ...

as Soapy Taylor *

Norris Johnson ''For the publisher and activist see Buzz Johnson'' Norris Johnson (1898–1971) was an actress in silent films in the U.S. She had supporting roles in various films and also had lead roles in Thomas H. Ince and Samuel Goldwyn productions. Film ...

as Hilda *

Truly Shattuck Truly Shattuck (July 27, 1875 – December 6, 1954) was a soubrette star of vaudeville, music halls, and Broadway whose career began in tragedy and ended in relative obscurity. Early life Truly Shattuck was born at San Miguel, San Luis Obisp ...

as Mrs. Lee *

William Courtright William Courtright (February 10, 1848 – March 6, 1933) was an American film actor. Early years He was born Theodore Courtright in New Milford, Illinois, and was educated in the public schools of Ione, California. When he was 16, he ran ...

as Judge Ketcham *Barbara Maier as Little Girl

References

External links

*
Lantern slide for ''The Speed Girl''Lobby card
at listal.com * American silent feature films Lost American comedy films Paramount Pictures films Films based on short fiction 1921 comedy films Silent American comedy films American black-and-white films Films directed by Maurice Campbell English-language comedy films 1921 lost films 1920s American films 1920s English-language films Lost silent American films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub