An Alabaster Box

An Alabaster Box is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Chester Withey and starring Alice Joyce, Marc McDermott, and Harry Ham.^[1] It was produced by the Vitagraph Company of America and distributed by V-L-S-E. The story is based on a novel by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman and Florence Morse Kingsley.

An Alabaster Box
Lobby card
Directed by	Chester Withey
Written by	A. Van Buren Powell
Story by	Mary Eleanor Freeman Florence Morse Kingsley
Starring	Alice Joyce Marc McDermott Harry Ham
Cinematography	Viola Lawrence
Production company	Vitagraph Company of America
Distributed by	V-L-S-E
Release date	September 10, 1917 (1917-09-10)
Running time	5 reels
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The film tells the story of Lydia Orr, a mysterious young woman who arrives in a conservative New England town with plans to open a drugstore. As she challenges local prejudices and hidden secrets, her past and motives slowly unfold. ^[2]

Plot

Lydia Orr, a quiet and graceful young woman, unexpectedly arrives in the town of Tressly and purchases the vacant drugstore owned by the late Lemuel Crittendon. The townspeople are suspicious, especially when Lydia hires the disgraced Jim Dodge as her assistant and befriends his troubled wife, Fanny.

As Lydia works to restore the drugstore and help her neighbors, her true identity and backstory gradually come to light. It is revealed that she is the niece of Lemuel Crittendon, seeking redemption for a family scandal and healing for herself and the town. Her selflessness and moral strength ultimately win over the hearts of the townsfolk. ^[2]

Cast

• Alice Joyce as Lydia Bolton / Lydia Orr
• Marc McDermott as Andrew Bolton
• Harry Ham as Jim Dodge
• Aida Horton as Lydia (child)
• Patsy De Forest as Fanny Dodge
• Frank Hall Crane as Wesley Elliott