The Humming Bird Explained

The Humming Bird (also known as Les loups de Montmartre) is a 1924 American silent crime drama film directed by Sidney Olcott and starring Gloria Swanson. Produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film is based on the play of the same name by Maude Fulton, who also starred in the Broadway production.^{[1] [2]}

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,^[3] Toinette, alias "The Humming Bird" and member of the Apaches, commits many successful robberies in Paris while disguised as a young man. She falls in love with Randall Carey, an American newspaper correspondent. Randall joins the army when war breaks out. Toinette persuades her Apache confederate to enlist. She is jailed, but escapes during a Zeppelin bombardment and joins her wounded lover at his aunt's residence. The authorities pardon her and she finds happiness with Randall.

Production

The film was shot at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens.^[2]

Preservation

A print of The Humming Bird is housed at the Library of Congress and the Nederlands Filmmuseum.^{[4] [5]}

External links

• • • Lobby card and still at silenthollywood.com
• The Humming Bird at website dedicated to Sidney Olcott
• Long poster; probably an Australian daybill

Notes and References

1. Book: White Munden, Kenneth. The American Film Institute Catalog Of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films, 1921-1930, Part 1. 1997. University of California Press. 0-520-20969-9. 368.
2. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HummingBird1924.html Progressive Silent Film List: The Humming Bird
3. Pardy . George T. . Box Office Reviews: The Humming Bird . Exhibitors Trade Review . 15 . 10 . 27 . Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation . 26 January 1924 . New York . 25 July 2022.
4. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.2465/default.html The Library of Congress American Silent Feature film Survival Catalog: The Humming Bird
5. Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artist Collection at The Library of Congress, p. 85, c.1978 by The American Film Institute