The Ace of Hearts (1921)

Director:

Wallace Worsley

Writers:

Gouverneur Morris (story)
Ruth Wightman (scenario)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

A romantic rivalry among members of a secret society becomes even tenser when one of the men is assigned to carry out an assassination.

Plot Keywords:

Assassination | Secret Society | Love | Romantic Rivalry | Marriage Proposal

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Lon Chaney	...	Mr. Farallone
Leatrice Joy	...	Lilith
John Bowers	...	Mr. Forrest
Hardee Kirkland	...	Mr. Morgridge, the Society Leader
Raymond Hatton	...	The Menace
Edwin Wallock	...	Chemist (as Edwin N. Wallock)
Roy Laidlaw	...	Doorkeeper

Runtime:

75 min (2000 alternate version) (21 fps)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White | Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Passed

Company:

Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Lon Chaney's character was originally called Rattavich, but the name was softened to Farralone to appease censors, who felt that the original name was too unsubtle as to the origins of the group.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Settling the Score (2005) (TV)

Vintage Chaney!

"The Ace of Hearts" is essentially another variation of the eternal triangle. As was usually the case Lon Chaney doesn't get the girl.

The plot involves a secret society referred to as "The Cause", a vigilante group of seven men and one woman who decide to rid the world of people who were in a position to do some good in the world but did not for their own selfish reasons. The group led by Mr. Morgridge (Hardee Kirkland) has chosen its next victim. The group is then dealt cards until one of them is dealt the ace of hearts. The holder of the ace of hearts is then given "the honor" of carrying out the execution.

Within the group are Mr. Farallone (Lon Chaney), Lilith (Leatrice Joy) and Mr. Forrest (John Bowers). Forrest draws the fateful ace of hearts and eagerly looks forward to the task at hand. Lilith was absent from the meeting so Farallone and Forrest, who are both in love with her, go to see her and tell her the news. She rejects Farallone's advances, but agrees to marry Forrest if as she says, that will provide him with the courage he needs.

The couple marry and return to Lilith's apartment for their wedding night. Broken hearted lover Farallone greets them to ensure that they did in fact get married. Later as the couple retires and turn out the lights, we see the pathetic Farallone standing in a driving rain lamenting his lost love. This scene alone makes the movie worthwhile. Chaney could show such emotion facially that one cannot help but feel pity for the distraught lover. This was a method Chaney would repeat in many of his other films as well.

When it comes time to murder "The man who has lived too long" (Raymond Hatton), Forrest, having succumbed to the tender love of Lilith, sees the error of the plot and backs down. Later, the committee condemns Forrest to death for his failure to carry out his assignment. But Farallone sees a way to give the couple their freedom.

Chaney plays what amounts to a supporting role here as the story centers more on the Forrest and Lilith characters, but as I pointed out, Chaney steals the film with that aforementioned scene in the rain. Raymond Hatton by the way, went on to a lengthy career in "B" westerns in the 30s and 40s usually playing the crusty old sidekick.

Vintage Chaney.