Are You Legally Married?
| Are You Legally Married? | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Thornby |
| Produced by | Miles Dobson Henry Christeen Warnack |
| Starring | Lew Cody Rosemary Theby Roy Laidlaw |
| Cinematography | Sol Polito |
Production company | Success Pictures Company |
| Distributed by | Elk Photoplays |
Release date |
|
Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent English intertitles |
Are You Legally Married? is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Robert Thornby[1] and starring Lew Cody,[2] Rosemary Theby[3] and Roy Laidlaw.[4] The film premiered in October of 1919 and was produced by Success Pictures Company.[5][6][7]
The story explores marital themes and divorce.[3][8] Promotional material for the film included the tagline, "Are your children legitimate?"[6]
Plot
June Redding, a ranch owner, marries lawyer John Stark, but his dishonesty and reckless habits drive her to divorce him in Reno after New York law prevents it. She remarries Wayne Hearne, a man of integrity, and they have a child together. When Stark discovers her Reno divorce is not legally valid, he blackmails her for bigamy, leading to a court case he wins. In a final confrontation, Stark is accidentally killed, freeing June and Wayne to continue their family life in peace.[7]
Cast
- Lew Cody as John Stark
- Rosemary Theby as June Redding
- Nanon Welsh as Sue Redding
- Henry Woodward as Wayne Hearne
- H.J. Barrows as J.J. Redding
- Roy Laidlaw as Henry Martin[7]
Court Case
In 1919, writer Miles Dobson filed for damages against Robert Thornby and two producing companies arguing that the story was stolen from the writer.[3]
References
- ^ Bushnell, Brooks (1993). Directors and their films: a comprehensive reference, 1895-1990. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 333. ISBN 0899507662. Retrieved September 18, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Following the Films". Camera!. 2: 360. 1919 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c "In the Courts". The Film Daily (Jan-June 1919). 7:8: 95:448. 1919 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Connelly p.17
- ^ "Are You Legally Married?". Theiapolis. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Are You Legally Married? (USA, 1919)". Starts Thursday. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Are You Legally Married?". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Campbell, Craig W. (1985). Reel America and World War I: a comprehensive filmography and history of motion pictures in the United States, 1914-1920. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 126. ISBN 0899500870. Retrieved September 18, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Connelly, Robert B. The Silents: Silent Feature Films, 1910-36, Volume 40, Issue 2. December Press, 1998.
External links