On with the Dance (film)

On with the Dance is 1920 American silent costume drama directed by George Fitzmaurice, starring Mae Murray and David Powell, and released by Paramount Pictures. Art direction for the film was done by Charles O. Seessel.[1]

On with the Dance
Theatrical poster
Directed byGeorge Fitzmaurice
Screenplay byOuida Bergère
Based onOn with the Dance
by Michael Morton
Produced byAdolph Zukor
StarringMae Murray
David Powell
Alma Tell
Holmes Herbert
Narrated byAdolph Zukor (presenter)
CinematographyArthur C. Miller
Georges Benoît
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • February 15, 1920 (1920-02-15)
Running time
70 mins.
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent film
English intertitles

The film is a screen adaptation of the 1917 Michael Morton play by the same name.[2][3] Actor Robert Schable had appeared in the 1917 Broadway play.[4]

Filming began in August 1919 when Mae Murray rejoined Famous Players–Lasky Corporation after having completed a term with Universal Pictures.[5]

Plot

edit

Cast

edit

Preservation

edit

With no prints of On With The Dance located in any film archives, it is considered a lost film.[6] In February of 2021, the film was cited by the National Film Preservation Board on their Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films list.[1][7]

Reception

edit

The Evening Post wrote that Mae Murray's work with David Powell was a "revelation", and that her dance work in the film was one of its "outstanding features".[8] Toronto Star noted the film as a success and wrote than fans of Mae Murray and David Powell will hail the two stars returning to headline George Fitzmaurice next film The Right to Love.[9] The Milwaukee Journal wrote that the film played Mae Murray's "dainty little figure and delightful dancing" to advantage.[10]

edit

An excerpt of the film is seen in the Paramount promotional film The House That Shadows Built (1931).

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "On with the Dance". afi.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "On With The Dance". Evening Post. August 24, 1920. pp. Volume C, Issue 47, August 24, 1920, Page 3. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  3. ^ On With the Dance at SilentEra
  4. ^ On With the Dance on Broadway, Theatre Republic Oct.-Dec. 1917
  5. ^ "In The News Net" (PDF). The New York Times. June 29, 1919. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  6. ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: On With The Dance
  7. ^ "7,200 Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films (1912-29)" (PDF). National Film Preservation Board. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Princess Theater". The Evening Post. November 15, 1920. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  9. ^ "News and Features of the Screen and Drama". Atlanta Constitution. August 29, 1920. pp. 10CD page 1. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  10. ^ Peggy (April 11, 1920). "Director Warns Against Wildcat Movies". Milwaukee Journal. Google archives. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
edit