The Woman on the Index (1919) Goldwyn Pictures Corp. Distributor: Goldwyn Distributing Corp. Presenter: Samuel Goldwyn. Director: Hobart Henley. Scenario: Edward Gheller. Camera: Edward Gheller. Cast: Pauline Frederick, Wyndham Standing, Willard Mack, Ben Hendricks, Jere Austin, Louis Stern, Frank Joyner, Florence Ashbrooke, Florida Kingsley. 5 reels. This film appears to be LOST
This was Frederick's first film for Sam Goldwyn.
See also a still photo from the J. Willis Sayre photograph collection at the University of Washington.
| Sylvia Martin | Pauline Frederick |
| David Maber | Wyndham Standing |
| Hugo Declasse | Willard Mack |
| John Alden | Ben Hendricks |
| Louis Gordon | Jere Austin |
Pauline Frederick is the star of this five reel Goldwyn feature which is a screen adaptation of the play of the same title which was produced in New York early this season. It is a timely little mystery subject in which Miss Frederick gives a corking performance. The original was by Lillian Trimble and George Broadhurst. Hobart Henley directed the picturization.
The story carries a touch of the underworld, a bit of society and a Washington touch with the Secret Service and the Diplomatic Corps, and gives sufficient thrill and suspense to satisfy the most hardened movie fan. Miss Frederick plays the role of the girl who first becomes the wife of a crook, and later, having lived down her brief career in that capacity, weds a member of the Government's service.
Willard Mack has the role of the heavy opposite her; his performance as a villain is just about on a par with his usual portrayal of more heroic roles in the past. Wyndham Standing is the leading man and, while not having very much to do, gives an entirely satisfactory performance. In the role of the crook, Jere Austin gave a splendid performance, as did also Ben Hendricks as the chief of police.
The direction is exceptionally good and Henley is to be congratulated on handling the story in the manner which he did. The lightings are unusually good throughout the picture.
"The Woman on the Index."
Goldwyn Presents Pauline Frederick in Fine Play by Lillian Tremble and George Broadhurst.
Reviewed by Louis Reeves Harrison.
At last Pauline Frederick is seen in a drama affording her opportunity to display her undoubted talent as a screen actress. Her role in "The Woman on the Index" is that of a woman with a past of ignominy, though not of dishonor, strong in her intuitive sense of honor, but a victim of circumstance and weak in her womanly concealment of her past from a husband in whom she could have fully confided. The character is entirely logical although placed in more than one strong dramatic situation. "The Woman on the Index" has some minor faults, one of which, the symbol of the pointing hands, could be cut out entirely to the advantage of the illusion of watching a segment of real life. The Goldwyn production gives her flawless support. Willard Mack is a most accomplished and convincing villain. With such a combination, including Miss Frederick at her best under highly capable direction, a packed house at the Rialto sat enthralled. The play is forceful and a desirable attention to any program.
[Omitted: profile portrait of Frederick in square-necked gown. Caption: Pauline Frederick: Forceful in her portrayal of "The Woman on the Index."
Cast.| Sylvia Martin | Pauline Frederick |
| David Maber | Wyndham Standing |
| Hugo Declasse | Willard Mack |
| John Alden | Ben Hendricks |
| Louis Gordon | Jere Austin |
| John Martin | Louis Sterns |
| Butler | Frank Joyner |
| Mother Fralonz | Florence Ashbrooke |
| Mrs. Martin | Florida Kingsley |
From the play by Lillian Trimble Bradley and George Broadhurst.
Directed by Hobart Henley.
The Story: Sylvia Martin's past is that of despair. Turned out of an unhappy home in a stage of exhaustion she becomes the wife of a handsome and manly type of crook, but before the marriage is consummated, he kills himself to avoid arrest, and she is tried for murder. The unfortunate woman is acquitted, but the trial is recorded in a police index and falls into the possession of an astute agent of the Bolsheviki. He utilizes it in his pursuit of the wife, while she is compelled to lend herself to the schemes of a secret service officer familiar with her early career. She goes to the villain's rooms by appointment, really to secure an incriminating document, and is at first thwarted by his cleverness, only to succeed through his own excess of shrewdness, when she is restored to the arms of a forgiving and adoring husband.
Advertising Angles: Play strongly upon Miss Frederick's popularity, but always add that she is seen in one of the dramatic successes of the last season: an up-to-the-minute play. Make plentiful use of the 24-sheets, which are particularly good in gaining interest. Carry out the same idea of the accusing hands in your lobby display. Either cut them out from extra twenty-fours or have them painted up, but scatter them all over your lobby. In your newspaper ads use plenty of "fists" with "Who was the Woman on the Index." It will pay you to make a giant hand large enough for a small boy to get inside, and send it around the streets, properly lettered. Make a framework of lath, with profile or compo board to get the correct outline and cover with paper of cloth. Make the hands do all the work.
Advertising Aids: One one-sheet Two three-sheets, one six and one 24 sheet. Rotogravure one-sheet. Lobby displays, 8x10, 11x14 and 22x28. Coming and current slides. Advertising and scene cuts. Photographic line-cut copy for ads. Press book. Music one-sheet.
Released February 23.
Last revised, April 7, 2006
