The Case of Lena Smith (1929)

In late 19th century Vienna, Lena Smith, a naive peasant girl from Hungary, has a child by a corrupt young cavalry officer, and goes to work his house as a servant, hiding the truth from ... See full summary »

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writers:

Jules Furthman, Julian Johnson (titles)

Stars:

Esther Ralston, James Hall, Gustav von Seyffertitz

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Esther Ralston	...	Lena Smith
James Hall	...	Franz Hofrat
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Herr Hofrat
Emily Fitzroy	...	Frau Hofrat
Fred Kohler	...	Stefan
Betty Aho	...	Stefan's Sister
Lawrence Grant	...	Commissioner
Leone Lane	...	Pepi
Kay Deslys	...	Poldi
Alex Woloshin	...	Janitor
Ann Brody	...	Janitor's Wife
Wally Albright	...	Franz (age 3) (as Wally Albright Jr.)
Werner Klingler	...	Franz (age 18)

Storyline

In late 19th century Vienna, Lena Smith, a naive peasant girl from Hungary, has a child by a corrupt young cavalry officer, and goes to work his house as a servant, hiding the truth from his unsympathetic father, while the son returns to his profligate ways. Robbed of her child first when he is a baby, and later when they are separated by the war, she suffers imprisonment, contempt, and shame in order to protect the child.

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Plot Keywords:

janitor | lost film | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

The story of Vienna before the way. Esther Ralston doing her very best in the role of a mother who sacrificed all for her child. (Print Ad- Fonda Times, ((Fonda, Iowa)) 31 January 1929)

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

No copies of this film are known to exist.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood on Trial (1976)

User Reviews

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

19 January 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor de Mãe

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min (New York opening) (premiere) 80 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1