The World and the Woman (1916)

Visit www.thanhouser.org to learn more about Thanhouser silent films.

The World and the Woman: Five reels of approximately 5,000 feet, released November 19, 1916, Pathé Exchange.

Jeanne Eagel's film debut tells the story of a prostitute turned faith healer in this five reel feature, released by Pathé.

Directed by W. Eugene Moore. Scenario by Philip Lonergan, possibly based on the play Outcast.

Print source: George Eastman House, 1 hour, 6 minutes.

Cast: Jeanne Eagels (woman of the streets), Ethelmary Oakland (Sunny, her daughter), Boyd Marshall (the man), Thomas A Curran (James Palmer), Wayne Arey (Jim Rollins), Grace DeCarlton (Rollins' wife), Carey L. Hastings (Anna Graham).

Original music composed and performed by Andrew Crow (www.thanhouser.org/people/crowa.htm.)

The World and the Woman is historically important as the screen debut of legendary actress Jeanne Eagels. The role of a prostitute turned faith healer is suitably challenging for the star.

Edwin Thanhouser began phasing down production at the studio in early 1917, so this is a very late Thanhouser film. The World and the Woman demonstrates many important advances of the previous few years such as feature length, editing techniques (for instance, watch here for camera-position changes in the middle of action), and more complex, expressive, and thoughtful story development. Part of the story is based on one of Eagels' stage successes, The Outcast.

Locations, a strength of Thanhouser pictures, included Manhattan and the Adirondack mountains in addition to studio interiors. The Woman and the World was released as a "Pathé Gold Rooster Play," in accordance with Thanhouser's releasing contract with the Pathé Exchange.

This film is available on DVD from Thanhouser Company Film Preservation, Inc. at www.thanhouser.org.