Heedless Moths is a 1921 American silent melodrama film written and directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The film stars Jane Thomas as real life nude model Audrey Munson. Munson appeared as herself in the nude scenes, which were posed similar to tableau vivants, and the film was based on a series of autobiographical stories she wrote.[1][2] Heedless Moths also stars Holmes Herbert and Hedda Hopper.
| Heedless Moths | |
|---|---|
 Contemporary newspaper advertisement for the film. | |
| Directed by | Robert Z. Leonard |
| Written by | Robert Z. Leonard |
| Based on | "Studio Secrets; Life Story" by Audrey Munson |
| Produced by | Alan Rock |
| Starring | Jane Thomas Holmes Herbert Hedda Hopper Audrey Munson Ward Crane |
| Cinematography | Hal Young |
| Edited by | Joseph Farnham |
| Distributed by | Equity Pictures Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot
editAs described in a film publication,[3] idealistic sculptor (Herbert), who has a "butterfly" wife (Hopper), is working on a nude group from life. He and his model (Munson/Thomas) fall in love, but it is not a love to be realized. In the meantime the butterfly wife has become enmeshed in the nets of a dilettante artist (Crane). One night he pulls in the nets and she finds herself in his apartment. When the model realizes the sculptor is searching for his wife, she breaks into the dilettante's apartment, hides the wife, and plays the role of the reveler, saving the marriage of the man she loves.
Cast
edit
- Jane Thomas as Audrey Munson
- Holmes Herbert as The Sculptor
- Hedda Hopper as His Wife
- Ward Crane as The Dilettante
- Tom Burrough as The Sage
- Audrey Munson as herself
- Henry Duggan as The Spirit of the Arch
- Irma Harrison as The Prey
Production
editThe working title of the film was The Soul Within.[4]
Reception
editUpon its release, Heedless Moths was generally panned by critics.[5] The film magazine Photoplay in an editorial note recommended that the film not be seen as it would add to calls for film censorship.[6]
Munson later sued the film's production company, Perry Plays, and producer Alan Rock for $15,000 in damages after they chose to send Jane Thomas on a tour to promote the film instead of Munson.
Preservation
editWith no copies of Heedless Moths listed as being in any film archives,[7] it is a lost film.
References
edit- ^ Heedless Moths at AllMovie
- ^ Rozas, Diane; Bourne Gottehrer, Anita (1999). American Venus: The Extraordinary Life of Audrey Munson, Model and Muse. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 90. ISBN 1-890-44904-0.
- ^ "Heedless Moths: Audrey Munson's Figure Featured Clearly in This". Film Daily. 16 (79). New York City: Wyd's Films and Film Folks, Inc.: 14 June 19, 1921. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- ^ Leonard, Robert Z. (April 25, 1921). "An Appeal". Film Daily. 16 (25). New York City: Wyd's Films and Film Folks, Inc.: 3. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ Rozas 1999 p. 91
- ^ "Heedless Moths". Photoplay. 20 (4). New York City: Photoplay Publishing Company: 64. September 1921.
- ^ Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: Heedless Moths
External links
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