The Unknown Purple

The Unknown Purple is a lost[3] 1923 American silent mystery film that was written and directed by Roland West.[4][5]

The Unknown Purple
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Directed byRoland West[1]
Written byRoland West
Paul Schofield
Alfred A. Cohn (titles)
Starring
CinematographyOliver T. Marsh[1]
Edited byAlfred A. Cohn[2]
Production
companies
Carlos Productions[1]
Distributed byTruart Film Corporation[2]
Release date
  • October 1923 (1923-10)
Running time
92 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

After his release from prison, an inventor develops an eerie purple light that renders him invisible, enabling him to seek revenge on his unfaithful wife and his crooked business partner.

Cast

Production

Film historian Scott MacQueen cited "The Vanishing Men", a treatment West had targeted for film in 1921, as the inspiration for the film.[6] The film was adapted from a stage play which was written by Roland West and Carlyle Moore.[1] Comedian Johnny Arthur made his feature-length debut in The Unknown Purple.[7]

Release

The Unknown Purple was released in October 1923.[2]

Reception

In a contemporary review, Variety described the film as an "exceptionally well-made picture - among the best of its type - a mystery."[1] The review praised the photography of Oliver Marsh and the acting by Henry Walthall and Alice Lake.[1]

References
  1. Willis 1985, p. 17.
  2. Soister 2004, p. 30.
  3. The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Unknown Purple
  4. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Unknown Purple
  5. Progressive Silent Film List: The Unknown Purple at silentera.com
  6. Soister 2004, p. 31.
  7. Soister 2004, p. 35.

Bibliography
  • Willis, Donald, ed. (1985). Variety's Complete Science Fiction Reviews. Garland Publishing Inc. ISBN 0-8240-6263-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Soister, John T. (2004). Up from the Vault: Rare Thrillers of the 1920s and 1930s. McFarland. ISBN 0786417455.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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