American Beauty (1927 film) explained

American Beauty is a 1927 American silent romantic drama film produced and distributed by First National Pictures. This film was directed by Richard Wallace and starred Billie Dove. It is based on a short story "American Beauty" by Wallace Irwin. Walter McGrail and Margaret Livingston are also in the cast.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The story

Billie Dove stars as the title character, Millicent Howard, whose appearance and persona bring her a life of luxury. A millionaire named Claverhouse asks her to marry, but she values love more than wealth, and she sacrifices everything for another man, who is less wealthy, Jerry Booth. A number of scenes require Millicent to disrobe except for her underthings. The actress, Billie Dove, is known for her love affair with Howard Hughes.

Cast

• Billie Dove as Millicent Howard
• Lloyd Hughes as Jerry Booth
• Walter McGrail as Claverhouse
• Margaret Livingston as Mrs. Gillespie
• Lucien Prival as Gillespie
• Al St. John as Waiter
• Edythe Chapman as Madame O'Riley
• Alice White as Claire O'Riley
• Yola d'Avril as Telephone Girl

Preservation

With no prints of American Beauty located in any film archives,^[4] it is a lost film.

External links

• • • Lobby poster

Notes and References

1. The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1921-30 by The American Film Institute, c.1971
2. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/A/AmericanBeauty1927.html Progressive Silent Film List: American Beauty
3. http://www.silentsaregolden.com/arnefirstnational.html American Beauty on Arne Andersen's Lost Film Files: First National Pictures 1927
4. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.3413/default.html The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: American Beauty