Penny of Top Hill Trail explained
| Penny of Top Hill Trail |
| Director: | Arthur Berthelet |
| Producer: | Andrew J. Callaghan |
| Starring: | Bessie Love |
| Cinematography: | Sam Landers[1] |
| Studio: | Andrew J. Callaghan Productions |
| Distributor: | Federated Film Exchanges of America, Inc. |
| Runtime: | 5 reels[2] |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | Silent
English intertitles |
| Budget: | $80,000[3] |
Penny of Top Hill Trail is a 1921 American silent Western comedy film based on the 1919 novel by Belle Kanaris Maniates.[4] [5] It was directed by Arthur Berthelet and stars Bessie Love. The film was produced by Andrew J. Callaghan Productions and distributed by Federated Film Exchanges of America. The film is presumed lost.[6]
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.
Cast
Production
Exteriors were filmed in Tucson, Arizona.[8]
After its release, producer Andrew J. Callaghan sued Federated Film Exchanges, saying that the distributor had not paid the full amount to distribute this film, The Midlanders, and Bonnie May.
Release
Upon its release, some theaters showed the film with The Hope Diamond Mystery and a Ham and Budd comedy.[9]
Reception
Overall, the film received positive reviews[10] and was successful at the box office.[11] The wardrobe, atypical for Western films, and Love's frequent hairstyle changes distracted some viewers from the plot.[12]
Notes and References
- Book: Love, Bessie . 1977 . From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love . London . Elm Tree Books . 734075937 . 150.
- Federated Announces Bessie Love Picture. May 7, 1921 . Moving Picture World . 79 .
- Callaghan Asks Injunction Restraining Federated from Exhibiting Productions. Moving Picture World . August 6, 1921 . 592 .
- Book: The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film . Alan . Goble . 304 . 978-3-11-095194-3 . September 8, 2011. Walter de Gruyter .
- Book: Maniates, Belle Kanaris . Penny of Top Hill Trail . 1919 . The Reilly & Lee Co. . Chicago.
- Web site: Penny of Top Hill Trail / Arthur Berthelet [motion picture]]. Library of Congress . September 3, 2023 .
- Moving Picture World . 89 . May 7, 1921 . Newest Reviews and Comments . C. S. . Sewell .
- 'Penny of Tophill Trail' Has Bessie Love as Star. 628 . Moving Picture World . December 4, 1920 .
- News: The American Theatre. The Afro-American . November 11, 1921 . 5 .
- Quotes from various reviews: May 21, 1921 . Moving Picture World . Consensus of Published Reviews . 267 . 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..
- Penny of Top Hill Trail. Exhibitors Trade Review . 10 . 23 . November 5, 1921 . 1624 . The attendance the latter half of the week on this picture was exceptionally good. .
- Photoplay . Why Do They Do It . Frank . Betsy . 23 . 2 . January 1923 . 88.
