The Blot (1921)

The Professor dispenses the wisdom of the ages and does not make a living wage. The sons of the rich and powerful are students lacking any motivation. The next door neighbor of the ... See full summary »

Director:

Lois Weber

Writers:

Marion Orth, Lois Weber

Stars:

Philip Hubbard, Margaret McWade, Claire Windsor

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Philip Hubbard	...	The Professor, Andrew Theodore Griggs
Margaret McWade	...	His Wife, Mrs. Griggs
Claire Windsor	...	His Daughter, Amelia Griggs
Louis Calhern	...	His Pupil, Phil West
Marie Walcamp	...	The Other Girl, Juanita Claredon

Storyline

The Professor dispenses the wisdom of the ages and does not make a living wage. The sons of the rich and powerful are students lacking any motivation. The next door neighbor of the Professor, businessman Olsen, has money and lots of food, while the Griggs have hardly any. Both Peter Olsen and Reverend Gates are taken by the beauty of young Amelia Griggs. When rich son Phil West falls for Amelia Griggs and befriends the poor Reverend Gates, he finally sees the difference in his life and theirs and tries to do something to change that.

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Plot Keywords:

professor | neighbor | melodrama | spinster | lecture | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 1921 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lois Weber Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 90 min (TCM print) 91 min (restored-Thames Silents: Brownlow/Gill)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

College scenes were filmed at the University of California, Los Angeles, which was located at the time on Vermont Avenue in Hollywood, and later relocated to Westwood. The site on Vermont is now (2011) occupied by Los Angeles City College. None of the original buildings which appeared in this film have survived.

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Goofs

When Juanita visits the library to see Amelia, she puts her hand on the railing twice. Between shots, she is holding her fur piece differently as well.

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Quotes

Intertitle: Men are boys grown tall.

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Connections

Featured in The Silent Feminists: America's First Women Directors (1993)

User Reviews

HIST American Film

While watching "The Blot" I found myself pleasantly surprised by so many things about it. Unlike many who have reviewed this film I did not find it the least bit slow. In fact I was very surprised by all the many fast camera cuts and jumping between scenes, that were used and I was very surprised at how well they seemed to make up for the lack of moving cameras that they had at the time. In light of that and many other things, it was quite obvious to me that Lois Weber was extremely talented and ahead of her time. What I enjoyed most about this film was Lois Weber's skill in framing and shooting scenes. The extreme contrast and grainy contrast throughout the film made it seem that nearly every other shot, if put on pause, would make a beautiful, old-fashioned photograph that you might find framed and hung on the wall.

"The Blot", heavy with social issues and purpose that applies to its time, is a very enjoyable and lovely silent film. It does not surprise me that Weber was the highest paid director of her time.