Gentle Julia | |
Director: | Rowland V. Lee |
Producer: | William Fox |
Starring: | Bessie Love |
Cinematography: | G.O. Post |
Distributor: | Fox Film Corporation |
Runtime: | 60 minutes; 6 reels[1] (5,837 feet)[2] |
Country: | United States |
Language: | Silent (English intertitles) |
Gentle Julia is a 1923 American silent romantic drama film based on the popular novel Gentle Julia by Booth Tarkington. Directed by Rowland V. Lee, the film starred Bessie Love. It was produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation, and is considered a lost film.
Julia Atwater (Love) is the most popular girl in her Midwestern small town. She has many suitors, but she chooses an older man, Mr. Crum (Elliott). When he takes her back to his home in Chicago, she finds out he is married. She leaves him, returning to neighbor Noble Dill (Goodwin).[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Love was cast because she was "the last girl in Hollywood with long hair", although she was unaware of this and got an "Eton crop" haircut before filming commenced.[9]
The film was well received.[10] [11] [12] Love's performance drew mixed reviews, with some giving her praise, and others deeming her as miscast. Arthur's performance as the young niece drew rave reviews.