Smilin' Through

John Cateret, an Irish aristocrat, is engaged to the beautiful Moonyean Clare. But on their wedding day, a jealous former lover murders her. Devastated, the only light in John's life becomes his adorable niece, Kathleen. On the girl's 21st birthday, she announces her intentions to marry businessman Kenneth Wayne. John is shocked to discover that her suitor is the son of the man who killed Moonyean. He forbids the couple from seeing each other. Deciding that life isn't worth living without Kathleen, Kenneth enlists in the army as war breaks out in Europe. Wracked with guilt, John is visited by the ghost of his beloved Moonyean. The spirit must convince him to reunite the young lovers -- But with Kenneth wounded in battle, it may be too late.

Based on a popular play, Smilin' Through was a box office hit in the late winter of 1922. It would become the signature film of the lovely Norma Talmadge. A model since age 14, she was recruited by studio heads at Vitagraph for a small role in The Household Pest in 1910. Her most successful pictures were produced by her husband, Joseph M. Schenck, including Panthea (1917), The Wonderful Thing (1921), Eternal Flame (1922) and The Song Of Love (1923). Leading man Harrison Ford came from the Broadway stage and quickly found success in Hollywood, appearing in nearly 100 films between 1915 and 1932. Ford and Talmadge's sister, Constance, often co-starred in romantic comedies. This film also marks the first screen appearance of Gene Lockhart (billed in the credits as Eugene Lockhart). The versatile character actor is fondly remembered for his roles in A Christmas Carol (1938), His Girl Friday (1940), Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and Carousel (1956). He is also the father of beloved TV mom June Lockhart (Lassie, Lost in Space). Smilin' Through would be remade twice: in 1932 with Norma Shearer and Fredric March and in 1941 with Jeanette MacDonald and Brian Aherne.

• silent