The Upstart
The Upstart

Movie spotlight

The Upstart

1916
Movie
50 min
English

One day Coventry Petmore leaves his wife and child to go out in the world and fight the social evils of divorce and loveless marriage. Circumstances lead him to the home of Judge Mitchell, where the judge's son, a minister, and his wife Beatrice reside. The minister does not believe in expressing affection to his wife, and Beatrice becomes enamored of her chauffeur Larry Price.

Insights

Director: Allen J. HolubarGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

The film tells the story of a young man from humble beginnings who rises to prominence, facing challenges and romantic entanglements along the way. He strives to overcome societal barriers and personal hardships in pursuit of his ambitions. His journey is marked by moral dilemmas and significant life choices that shape his destiny.

Critical Reception

As a silent film from 1916, specific critical reception data is scarce. However, films of this era often focused on melodramatic narratives and moral lessons, which were generally well-received by contemporary audiences who appreciated strong emotional storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lacked detailed contemporary reviews; typical of early silent dramas focused on social climbing and romance.

  • Silent film era productions often relied on archetypal characters and clear moral arcs.

  • Audience appreciation likely stemmed from the aspirational narrative and emotional performances.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for films from this period is not available.

Fun Fact

The film is considered a lost film, meaning no known prints or film clips are believed to exist today.

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