Who's Your Servant? Explained

Who's Your Servant?
Director:not credited
Producer:Clarence Payne
Starring:Lois Wilson
Studio:California Motion Picture Corporation
Distributor:Robertson-Cole
Runtime:5 reels; 4,950 feet
Country:United States
Language:Silent (English intertitles)

Who's Your Servant? is a lost 1920 American silent drama film made by an independent studio and distributed by second tier producer Robertson-Cole Pictures. The film starred a young Lois Wilson and its director was not credited. It is based on a 1913 Broadway play Hari Kari by Julian Johnson who also wrote the scenario for this film.[1] [2] [3]

Who's Your Servant? was filmed in and around San Rafael, California.

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[4] Lieutenant Clifford Bruce (Scott) of the U.S. Navy, in love with Madeline Bancroft (Wilson), daughter of his commanding officer, is accused of the theft of plans for a new gun turret that "render obsolete the navies of the world." Madeline, who has been annoyed by the attentions of Ito, a Japanese servant in the house, comes to believe that he is guilty of the theft. Knowing that there is a Japanese battleship visiting the harbor that could facilitate his escape, she goes to his room at night to learn the truth of the matter by seeming to yield to his advances. She is successful in recovering the plans, but Ito is killed during her escape. She returns the plans to her father Admiral Bancroft (Robson), making it appear that they had only been mislaid. Lt. Bruce is released, allowing him and Madeline to marry.

Cast

Reception

A review stated that Who's Your Servant? did "not constitute a good motion picture" and complained of the acting and direction, noting that the wartime plot was no longer timely.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/W/WhosYourServant1920.html Progressive Silent Film List: Who's Your Servant?
  2. The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911-20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
  3. http://ibdb.com/show.php?id=4219 Hari Kari as produced on Broadway at the Princess Theatre September 27, 1913; IBDb.com
  4. Reviews: Who's Your Servant? . Exhibitors Herald . 10 . 9 . 78 . Exhibitors Herald Company . New York City . February 28, 1920 .