Penny of Top Hill Trail

Penny of Top Hill Trail
Poster for the Swedish release of the film
Directed by Arthur Berthelet
Produced by Andrew J. Callaghan[1]
Screenplay by
Based on Penny of Top Hill Trail (novel)
by Belle Kanaris Maniates
Starring Bessie Love
Cinematography Sam Landers[2]
Production
company
Andrew J. Callaghan Productions
Distributed by Federated Film Exchanges of America, Inc.[1]
Release date
  • 1921 (1921)
Running time
 5 reels[1]
Language Silent (English intertitles)
Budget $80,000[3]

Penny of Top Hill Trail is a silent 1921 Western comedy-drama[4] film based on the 1919 novel by Belle Kanaris Maniates.[5][6] It was directed by Arthur Berthelet[1] and stars Bessie Love.[1]

Plot

When Penny (Love) goes to a ranch, she is mistaken for a thief. She encounters the ranch foreman (Oakman), who tries to reform her. When another girl is revealed to be the real thief, Penny's reputation is cleared, and she reveals her true identity: a film actress on vacation. She and the foreman realize their love for each other, and Penny decides to stay on the ranch with him.[4]

Cast

Production

Exteriors were filmed in Tucson, Arizona.[7]

Release

Upon its release, some theaters showed the film with The Hope Diamond Mystery and a Ham and Budd comedy.[8]

Reception

Overall, the film received positive reviews[9] and was successful at the box office.[10] The wardrobe, atypical for Western films,[4] and Love's frequent hairstyle changes distracted some viewers from the plot.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Federated Announces Bessie Love Picture". Moving Picture World: 79. May 7, 1921.
  2. ↑ Love, Bessie (1977). From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love. London: Elm Tree Books. p. 150. OCLC 734075937.
  3. ↑ "Callaghan Asks Injunction Restraining Federated from Exhibiting Productions". Moving Picture World: 592. August 6, 1921.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sewell, C.S. (May 7, 1921). "Newest Reviews and Comments". Moving Picture World: 89.
  5. ↑ Goble, Alan (ed.). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. p. 304.
  6. ↑ Maniates, Belle Kanaris (1919). Penny of Top Hill Trail. Chicago: The Reilly & Lee Co.
  7. ↑ "'Penny of Tophill Trail' Has Bessie Love as Star". Moving Picture World: 628. December 4, 1920.
  8. ↑ "The American Theatre". The Afro-American. November 11, 1921. p. 5.
  9. ↑ Quotes from various reviews: "Consensus of Published Reviews". Moving Picture World: 267. May 21, 1921. This photoplay is a light comedy drama that will please the majority of picture fans. … Bessie Love returns in worth-while, romantic comedy drama. … It is a feature that will appeal to most audiences, especially to Bessie Love followers. … Pleasing offering and delightful star.
  10. ↑ "Penny of Top Hill Trail". Exhibitors Trade Review. 10 (23): 1624. November 5, 1921. The attendance the latter half of the week on this picture was exceptionally good.
  11. ↑ "Of Interest to Bobbees". Photoplay.
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