The Ghost of Rosy Taylor (1918)

Rhoda Eldridge lives in the Paris Latin Quarter, learns at the death of her father Charles that her real name is Sayles and that she has an uncle somewhere in America. She travels to the ... See full summary »

Directors:

Edward Sloman, Henry King

Writers:

Joseph Daskam Bacon (story), Elizabeth Mahoney

Stars:

Mary Miles Minter, Allan Forrest, George Periolat

Cast

Cast overview:
Mary Miles Minter	...	Rhoda Eldridge Sayles
Allan Forrest	...	Jacques Le Clerc
George Periolat	...	Charles Eldridge / Joseph Sayles
Helen Howard	...	Mrs. Jeanne Du Vivier
Emma Kluge	...	Mrs. Herriman-Smith
Kate Price	...	Mrs. Sullivan
Anne Schaefer	...	Mrs. Marian Watkins (as Ann Schaefer)

Storyline

Rhoda Eldridge lives in the Paris Latin Quarter, learns at the death of her father Charles that her real name is Sayles and that she has an uncle somewhere in America. She travels to the States as a nursemaid but is discharged soon after her arrival. In the park, she finds an envelope containing a letter to Rosy Taylor from a Mrs. Du Vivier, along with a key, $2, and instructions to clean the Du Vivier mansion each week. When the penniless Rhoda learns that Rosy is dead, she cleans the home herself, and all is well until Jacques Le Clerc, Mrs. Du Vivier's brother, mistakes her for a thief and sends her to a reformatory. Rhoda, however, escapes and returns to the house. Upon discovering that Rosy has been dead for weeks, Jacques and his sister catch the mysterious housekeeper once again. Through the efforts of Jacques, who has fallen in love with her, Rhoda is united with her rich uncle, and to demonstrate her gratitude, she accepts the young man's marriage proposal.

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Genres:

Drama

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User Reviews

Rosy Scenario

Wealthy American women Marian Lee (as Mrs. Herriman-Smith) and Helen Howard (as Mrs. Jeanne Du Vivier) are convinced the latter's house cleaner "Rosy Taylor" is a ghost, after they learn she has kept up chores after her reported death. Then, the story flashes back…

…to begin in a French town, where pretty Mary Miles Minter (as Rhoda Eldridge) lives with her poor father, George Periolat (as Charles Eldridge). When her sickly father dies, Ms. Minter learns he was a self-exiled American named Charles Sayles. Penniless, Minter gets a job as nursemaid to a wealthy woman voyaging to the United States; so, Minter returns to her ancestral home. In America, Minter has trouble with lodging and employment. Finally, she manages to earn some money posing as the departed "Rosy Taylor", servant for Ms. Howard. Then, while working, she is startled by the appearance of Howard's brother Allan Forrest (as Jacques Le Clerc); the hung-over man reports Minter to the authorities as a burglar, and she is sent to reform school. Minter escapes, and returns to work. Again, she meets Mr. Forrest, romance blooms, and mysteries unravel…

After a flashback, the film cleverly returns to the opening situation. Otherwise, this is a fairly routine Minter vehicle; it resolves itself too quickly, and leaves promising characterization undeveloped. Minter is charming; she was a genuine "child star" who remained very popular as a young woman, until her career ended in the wake of the scandal involving the shooting death of her then (1922) director/lover William Desmond Taylor. Supporting player Kate Price is memorable as kind-hearted landlady "Mrs. Sullivan".

Nitrate decomposition frequently mars the picture, but the film retains its integrity.

***** The Ghost of Rosy Taylor (7/8/18) Edward Sloman ~ Mary Miles Minter, Allen Forrest, George Periolat

Details

Official Sites:

Grapevine Video [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

8 July 1918 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ghost of Rosie Taylor

Filming Locations:

Flying A Studios, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1