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Going Straight

  • 19161916
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
645
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Going Straight (1916)
  • Crime
  • Drama
John Remington, a respectable real estate man, goes down into the slums to negotiate the purchase of a warehouse for a client, and there meets Jimmie Briggs, a gangster. Briggs recognizes Re... Read allJohn Remington, a respectable real estate man, goes down into the slums to negotiate the purchase of a warehouse for a client, and there meets Jimmie Briggs, a gangster. Briggs recognizes Remington as his former partner in crime, Higgins. Remington and his wife, Grace, used to wo... Read allJohn Remington, a respectable real estate man, goes down into the slums to negotiate the purchase of a warehouse for a client, and there meets Jimmie Briggs, a gangster. Briggs recognizes Remington as his former partner in crime, Higgins. Remington and his wife, Grace, used to work with Briggs in many house robberies, although for the last Remington and Briggs served ... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
645
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Chester M. Franklin
    • Sidney Franklin
  • Writer
    • Bernard McConville
  • Stars
    • Norma Talmadge
    • Ralph Lewis
    • Ninon Fovieri
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Chester M. Franklin
    • Sidney Franklin
  • Writer
    • Bernard McConville
  • Stars
    • Norma Talmadge
    • Ralph Lewis
    • Ninon Fovieri
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    The Children in the House (1916)
    Norma Talmadge in Going Straight (1916)
    Norma Talmadge in Going Straight (1916)
    Going Straight (1916)

    Top cast

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    Norma Talmadge
    Norma Talmadge
    • Grace Remingtonas Grace Remington
    Ralph Lewis
    Ralph Lewis
    • John Remingtonas John Remington
    Ninon Fovieri
    • Remingtons' Childas Remingtons' Child
    Francis Carpenter
    • Remingtons' Childas Remingtons' Child
    Fern Collier
    • Remingtons' Childas Remingtons' Child
    Ruth Handforth
    • Maidas Maid
    Eugene Pallette
    Eugene Pallette
    • Jimmy Briggsas Jimmy Briggs
    Georgie Stone
    Georgie Stone
    • Ragged Waifas Ragged Waif
    Kate Toncray
    Kate Toncray
    • Mrs. Van Dykeas Mrs. Van Dyke
    'Baby' Carmen De Rue
    'Baby' Carmen De Rue
    • Mrs. Van Dyke's Childas Mrs. Van Dyke's Child
    Violet Radcliffe
    • Mrs. Van Dyke's Childas Mrs. Van Dyke's Child
    • Directors
      • Chester M. Franklin
      • Sidney Franklin
    • Writer
      • Bernard McConville
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    John Remington, a respectable real estate man, goes down into the slums to negotiate the purchase of a warehouse for a client, and there meets Jimmie Briggs, a gangster. Briggs recognizes Remington as his former partner in crime, Higgins. Remington and his wife, Grace, used to work with Briggs in many house robberies, although for the last Remington and Briggs served time in prison. When they were released Remington found that Grace had borne him a baby, and for the baby's sake, determined to live straight. Briggs blackmails Remington until he has no more money to give him. Then he demands that Remington aid him in one more big deal, or he will expose Grace for her complicity in by-gone crimes, and have her sent to prison to do her "bit." Remington loves his wife, and for her sake, although without her knowledge, he agrees. Unaware of his danger, Grace has gone to spend the weekend at the home of a wealthy friend, the very place, it so happens, that Briggs has selected to burgle. In due course Remington and Briggs jimmy open the library window and enter. The former tackles the safe in his old dexterous manner, and Briggs goes upstairs to see what loose jewelry he may "lift" from bureaus and the like. Briggs happens to enter the room where Grace is asleep in bed. She hears him and awakens. She attacks the intruder, and a desperate struggle takes place. Meanwhile, Remington has completed his job at the safe and follows Briggs upstairs. Seeing him struggling with his wife, he knocks Briggs to the floor unconscious. Of course, this has aroused the other guests, and as they throng into the hall Remington's escape has been cut off. Grace's quick wit saves the situation. She plants her husband's mask, gun and jimmy on the unconscious Briggs and tells the guests that her husband followed her to the place in time to save her from a desperate burglar, the injured man lying on the floor. Unfortunately, Briggs escapes in the excitement, and his desire to be revenged on who the man has double-crossed him leads to a smashing finish. —Moving Picture World synopsis
    • safecracking
    • flashback
    • rehabilitation
    • blackmail
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Have we killed him?
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
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    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Out of the past
    Directed by Sidney Franklin. Norma Talmadge and Ralph Lewis star in GOING STRAIGHT (1916). A well-to- do couple, the Remingtons, happily raise their children in the suburbs of New York, but there is a secret from their past that threatens to destroy their happiness. Years before, both of them were involved in a gang of thieves. The husband served his sentence but the wife never got time. Years later, a member of the gang, Dan Briggs, runs into Mr Remington and blackmails him. How far will they go to make sure their past doesn't destroy their future?

    This film was quite brisk and economical in its pacing. The plot takes some intriguing turns and presents the characters with difficult decisions. It plays a bit more like a modern movie - the story of a couple who have a past that threatens to surface is one that has been used more in recent films than in the silent era. One can feel sympathy for the central couple, and the narrative features enough layers to keep things interesting.

    Norma Talmadge is very good as Grace Remington, acting with a nuanced naturalism that is quite remarkable. Where many actresses of the time would have done lots of clutching and bug-eyed gestures, Talmadge conveys her character's trepidation with the utmost realism. She uses her large expressive eyes to memorable effect, and gives a solid performance. Ralph Lewis is effective in his role as a husband striving to protect his family. He and Norma Talmadge have good chemistry together despite the obvious age difference. Perhaps most memorable of all was Eugene Palette in his role as the menacing Briggs. His body language, appearance, and overall air of criminal decadence seems like a foreshadowing of Robert Mitchum's performance in CAPE FEAR (1962). Palltte makes an unforgettable heavy, just shifty enough without overplaying. Child actor Georgie Stone is also charming and distiguished as Jimmy, a street waif whom Briggs uses for his schemes, but who finds a sweet and convincing rapport with the Remington children.

    The direction was quite good, and the editing and cinematography were quite accomplished. There are some interesting touches, like near the end where Remington sees Briggs entering his house - this is conveyed through a reflection on the windows of a china cabinet. Norma Talmadge is given a number of expressive close-ups. Tinting is used effectively as well. One can see some of the influence of Cecil B DeMille in the use of light and shadow. Overall, the movie is visually striking.

    My wife and I watched this film. She is not as into silent movies as I am, but has been good enough to watch them with me on occasion. She felt that the movie was quite interesting. In my opinion this would be a good picture to introduce newcomers to the world of silent film. Many have the idea of silents as hokey films with overly fast movement and acting of the stagger-and-clutch variety. This film would help to clear up misconceptions about silent movies and may fuel more interest in cinema of this period.

    GOING STRAIGHT is an excellent film, featuring an interesting plot, memorable and nuanced performances, and accomplished cinematography and direction. Definitely worth checking out for silent movie fans, and even if you're not one, you may find it entertaining. SCORE: 8/10
    helpful•1
    0
    • CJBx7
    • Oct 5, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 4, 1916 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • None
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Playmates
    • Production company
      • Fine Arts Film Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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