Romance (1920 film)

Romance is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Chester Withey and released through United Artists. The film is based on the 1913 play Romance by Edward Sheldon and stars Doris Keane, the actress who created the role in the play. This was Miss Keane's only motion picture. D. W. Griffith allowed the use of his Mamaroneck Studios for the production. The nephew of Griffith's favorite cameraman, Billy Bitzer, was the cinematographer. The story was later remade as Romance in 1930, an early talking vehicle for Greta Garbo.

Romance
Film still with Sydney and Keane
Directed by	Chester Withey
Written by	Wells Hastings (scenario)
Based on	Romance 1913 play by Edward Sheldon
Produced by	D.W. Griffith
Starring	Doris Keane Basil Sydney
Cinematography	Louis Bitzer
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	May 30, 1920 (1920-05-30)
Running time	70 minutes (7 reels)
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

No copies of Romance are known to survive making it a lost film.^[1]

Plot

As described in a film publication,^[2] a youth (Arthur Rankin) in the prologue seeks advice from his grandfather (Sydney), who then recalls a romance of his own youth which is then shown as a flashback. A priest (Sydney) is in love with an Italian opera singer (Keane), and the drama involves the conflict between his efforts to rise above worldly things or to leave with her. The romance ends with a deep note of pathos.

Cast

• Doris Keane as Madame Cavallini
• Basil Sydney as Bishop Armstrong / Bishop's nephew
• Norman Trevor as Cornelius Van Tuyl
• Betty Ross Clarke as Susan Van Tuyl
• Amelia Summerville as Miss Armstrong
• A.J. Herbert as Mr. Livingston
• Gilda Varesi as Vanucci (credited as Gilda Varesi Archibald)
• John Davidson as Beppo
• June Ellen Terry as Suzette Armstrong
• Arthur Rankin as Harry Armstrong
• Vangie Valentine as Marion Ward^[1]

Production

The movie was based on a hit play and was financed by fledgling United Artists. $150,000 was spent on the story and Doris Keane's salary. It went $100,000 over budget and recorded a loss of $80,000.^[3]