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

  (Complete credited 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:

The original ending to the film picked up after the bomb explodes at the meeting headquarters. Forrest and Lillith are living in a cabin in the woods, and believe that they are safe thanks to Farralone. Rushing back to the cabin to warn Lillith, he sees Morgridge, who tells him that they have nothing to fear - Farralone's sacrifice has taught him that love is the solution, not destruction. This ending was cut on the request of Samuel Goldwyn, who felt that it was too contrived and that the lovers reading about it in the newspaper was a much more satisfying ending.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Settling the Score (2005) (TV)

Another great Lon Chaney movie avaliable to the public!

In October 2000 Turner Classic Movies aired for the first time on television The Ace of Hearts. Although this may not be Lon's most famous movie it is still a good one. The movie is about a secret society who seek to rid the world of wealthy capitalist. The member who draws the ace of hearts gets to kill the capitalist. This is also a love story. Lon loves this girl who loves someone else. The girl loves the man who is going to kill the capitalist but love changes their attitude about the whole thing. The society kills it's members who betray them. Will Lon save the girl he loves? Will the capitalist be murdered? This movie now has a new music score! My hat off to TCM for airing the movie and for making the music score possible. The print is in very good shape. It's very scratchy in places but all in all very clear. What do we expect for a movie 80 years old. TCM probably used the best, if not the only, print in existance. TCM should be showing the movie soon and often from now on. The Ace of Hearts is a must for Chaney fans.