| Shams of Society | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Thomas B. Walsh |
| Written by | Mary Murillo Kenneth O'Hara |
| Based on | |
| Starring | Barbara Castleton Montagu Love Macey Harlam |
| Cinematography | John S. Stumar Charles Stumar |
Production company | Walsh-Fielding Productions |
| Distributed by | R-C Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Shams of Society is a 1921 American melodrama film. It was directed by Thomas B. Walsh. It was based on the story "Shams" by Walter McNamara and was adapted by Mary Murillo and Kenneth O'Hara.[1][2]
The six-reel film was produced by Walsh-Fielding Productions[3] and released by R-C Pictures.[4]
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Plot
Herbert Porter, although well-to-do, does not understand that his wife Helen is entitled to a money allowance. He freely opens accounts for her at all the fashionable stores, but she is short of ready cash, a fact which causes her considerable annoyance. With Mrs. Crest she visits a gambling resort run under the guise of a gown shop. Here she loses money and borrows from Mrs. Crest. She is obliged to pawn her jewels at a pawn shop kept by one Manning, known in society as Milton Howard. She has previously offended Howard, who is thus given a chance to revenge himself. Judge Harrington, a friend of Helen's, induces her to tell him her troubles. An Indian Prince loses a valuable gem at a reception. Howard knows who has taken it and instructs his employees to show to his private office the woman who tries to pawn it. Helen appears and Howard demands that she meet him that night. Porter, won by Harrington's argument, gives Helen a check for $5,000. She goes to keep her appointment with Howard. Porter, suspicious, follows. He is about to shoot Howard, when the latter calls in his mother and sisters and has Helen tell them of the troubles besetting women in the smart set. This cures them of aU desire to break into society. Husband and wife come to a perfect understanding and all ends well.[5]
Cast
- Barbara Castleton as Helen Porter
- Montagu Love as Hebert Porter
- Macey Harlam as Milton Howard
- Julia Swayne Gordon[6] as Mrs. Crest
- Ann Brody as "Mama" Manning
- Gladys Feldman
- Sallie Tysha as Manning sister
- Lucille Lee Stewart as Lucille Lee
- Edward Davis as Judge Harrington
- Victor Gilbert[7] as Reggie Frothingham
See also
References
- "Shams of Society (1921)". American Film Institute. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- "Orpheus". The Evening Mail. 1921-10-05. p. 18. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- Goble, Alan (September 8, 2011). "The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film". Walter de Gruyter – via Google Books.
- "Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Pamphlets, leaflets, contributions to newspapers or periodicals, etc.; lectures, sermons, addresses for oral delivery; dramatic compositions; maps; motion pictures. Part 1, group 2". U.S. Government Printing Office. May 4, 1921 – via Google Books.
- "Shams of Society". Exhibitor's Trade REview. Vol. 10, no. 19. 8 October 1921. p. 1309. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Best_Moving_Pictures_of_1922_23_Also/mtQcAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Julia+Swayne+Gordon+shams+of+society&pg=PA257&printsec=frontcover
- Institute, American Film (May 4, 1997). "The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States". University of California Press – via Google Books.