1925 film
Soul-Fire (also known as Soul Fire)[2][3][4] is a 1925 American silent drama film starring Richard Barthelmess and Bessie Love. It was directed by John S. Robertson and was based on the Broadway production Great Music (1924) by Martin Brown.[5]
The film was funded by Barthelmess through his Inspiration Pictures and released by First National Pictures.
Plot
Eric Fane (Barthelmess) leaves New York City and travels to Italy to study music composition. He then travels to Paris and Port Said, where he encounters women who inspire him to write new types of music. When he finally arrives in the South Seas, he meets Teita (Love), who inspires him to write the best music of all.[2][6][7]
Cast
- Richard Barthelmess as Eric Fane
- Bessie Love as Teita
- Percy Ames as Critic
- Charles Esdale as Critic
- Effie Shannon as Mrs. Howard Fane, Eric's mother
- Lee Baker as Howard Fane, Eric's father
- Carlotta Monterey as Princess Rhea
- Gus Weinberg as The Old Musician
- Ann Brody as Princess Rhea's maid
- Helen Ware as San Francisco Sal
- Walter Long as Herbert Jones, a Sailor
- Rita Rossi as The Prima Donna
- Edward LaRoche as The Orchestra Leader
- Harriet Sterling as Ruau
- Richard Harlan as Nuku
- Ellalee Ruby as Dancer in a Music Hall
- Arthur Metcalfe as Dr. Travers, of the Leper Island
- George Pauncefort as Mr. Simpson, an Attorney
- Aline Berry as Fleurette, a Mannequin
- Harry Redding as The Disappointed Musician
- Leah La Roux as a Dancer
- Zebaida as a Dancer[8]
Actors Helen Ware, Harriet Sterling, Edward LaRoche, and Leah La Roux were all cast members of the original play.[5][9][10]
Production
Most interiors were filmed at deForest Studios in Manhattan. Exteriors for the South Seas were shot throughout Florida.[11]
An Italian restaurant in Manhattan served as the canteen for the production.[11]
Reception
The film received generally positive reviews, with Barthelmess and Love receiving acclaim for their performances.[2][3][4][6]
Films directed by John S. Robertson
