The Breaking Point (1924 film)

The Breaking Point is a 1924 American silent mystery film directed by Herbert Brenon and written by Edfrid A. Bingham and Julie Herne. The film, based on the 1922 novel of the same name by Mary Roberts Rinehart, stars Nita Naldi, Patsy Ruth Miller, George Fawcett, Matt Moore, John Merkyl, Theodore von Eltz, and Edythe Chapman.^[1] The film was released on May 4, 1924, by Paramount Pictures.^[2]

The Breaking Point
Newspaper advertisement
Directed by	Herbert Brenon
Screenplay by	Edfrid A. Bingham Julie Herne
Based on	The Breaking Point 1922 novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Produced by	Jesse L. Lasky Adolph Zukor
Starring	Nita Naldi Patsy Ruth Miller George Fawcett Matt Moore John Merkyl Theodore von Eltz Edythe Chapman
Cinematography	James Wong Howe
Production company	Famous Players–Lasky Corporation
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	May 4, 1924 (1924-05-04)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,^[3] believing that he has killed the husband of Beverly Carlysle, an actress with whom he is infatuated, Judson Clark flees from the darkness of a ranch house in a western town into a snowstorm, is taken ill, and loses his memory. As Richard Livingstone, physician, he succeeds in New York City and becomes engaged to Elizabeth Wheeler. Ten years later while at a theater show, he is recognized from the stage by Beverly, who had thought her husband's killer had perished in the snow. He is taken to face justice back in Wyoming. There the real culprit confesses to the killing of Beverly's spouse. Judson finds happiness with Elizabeth.

Cast

• Nita Naldi as Beverly Carlysle
• Patsy Ruth Miller as Elizabeth Wheeler
• George Fawcett as Dr. David Livingstone
• Matt Moore as Judson Clark
• John Merkyl as William Lucas
• Theodore von Eltz as Fred Gregory
• Edythe Chapman as Lucy Livingstone
• Cyril Ring as Louis Bassett
• Westcott Clarke as Sheriff Wilkins
• Edward Kipling as Joe
• Milton Brown as Donaldson (credited as Milt Brown)
• Charles A. Stevenson as Harrison Wheeler
• Naida Faro as Minnie
• Julia Faye as Gossipy Patient (uncredited)
• Willie Fung as Chinese Cook (uncredited)
• Rolfe Sedan as Theatre Audience Spectator (uncredited)

Preservation

A complete copy of The Breaking Point is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.^[4][5]