The Awakening of Helena Ritchie (1916)
50m
Running Time
December 18, 1916Release Date
The Awakening of Helena Ritchie (1916)
50m
Running Time
December 18, 1916Release Date
Plot.
Helena Richie leaves her drunken husband, who had killed their child, and goes to Old Chester in Pennsylvania with her friend Lloyd Pryor. Helena adopts a homeless boy, David, who had been a ward of the town's minister, Dr. Lavendar. Helena's true husband dies, but Lloyd Pryor, now tired of Helena, refuses to marry her. Helena confesses to the minister about her actual relationship with Pryor, and Dr. Lavendar forces her to give up her son. Helena agrees, certain that she is an unfit mother. Helena pleads her case and fights for her maternal rights.
Where to Watch.
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Cast & Crew.
Ethel Barrymore
Helena Richie
Robert Cummings
Lloyd Pryor
Frank Montgomery
Benjamin Wright
James A. Furey
Dr. Lavendar (as J.A. Furey)
Maurice Steuart
Little David (as Maury Steuart)
Hassan Mussalli
Sam Wright
William A. Williams
Deacon Wright (as William Williams)
Robert Whittier
Frederick Richie
Charles Goodrich
Dr. King
Hattie Delaro
Mrs. King
Mary Asquith
Mrs. Wright
Charlotte Thompson
Theatre Play
John W. Noble
Scenario Writer / Director
Margaret Deland
Novel
Herbert Oswald Carleton
Cinematographer
Media.
Details.
This Movie Is About.
based on novel or book
Wiki.
The Awakening of Helena Richie is a surviving 1916 silent 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.
Actor Robert Cummings also played his same part in the 1909 Broadway play.