The Awakening of Helena Richie is a surviving 1916 American silent drama film produced by B. A. Rolfe and distributed by Metro Pictures. It is based on the 1906 novel, The Awakening of Helena Richie, by Margaret Deland and the 1909 Broadway play based on the novel starring Margaret Anglin and then child actor Raymond Hackett.
This silent film version brings Ethel Barrymore to the Helena Richie role (as Anglin refused to do films) and Barrymore's surname meant better business in the movie world. This film still survives incomplete in the Library of Congress and was reputed to be Barrymore's favorite of her silent film work.The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911-20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress by The American Film Institute, c.1978
Actor Robert Cummings also played his same part in the 1909 Broadway play.
Cast Ethel Barrymore - Helena Richie Robert Cummings - Lloyd Pryor Frank Montgomery - Benjamin Wright James A. Furey - Dr. Lavendar (*J.A. Furey) Maurice Steuart - Little David Hassan Mussalli - Sam Wright William A. Williams - Deacon Wright (*William Williams) Robert Whittier - Frederick Richie Charles Goodrich - Dr. King Hattie Delaro - Mrs. King Mary Asquith - Mrs. Wright Kathleen Townsend - James Sheridan - David as an infant (uncredited)
Production Filming began in mid-October, 1916 at the Metro studios and was completed by mid-November, 1916.
See also Ethel Barrymore on stage, screen and radio
References
External links