Dinty (film)
Encyclopedia
Dinty is a 1920
silent drama featuring actress Colleen Moore
. The film was written by Marshall Neilan
specifically for Wesley Barry
, a young actor known for his freckled complexion. In Wesley's previous film he played a character named "Dinty," a paperboy. The character was so popular that Neilan wrote the story around that character, fleshing out his background and giving him his own adventure.
) falls in love with a young man, Danny O'Sullivan (Tom Gallery). One day, Danny receives notice that he is offered a job in America. Before leaving, he marries Doreen. A year later, a son is born, and Doreen decides to follow her husband to America. Upon arriving in San Francisco from Ireland
, Doreen discovers through Danny's landlady Mrs. O'Toole (Kate Price
) that her husband has been killed in a car accident.
To support herself and her infant son Dinty, Doreen labors night shifts as a scrub woman until, at the age of twelve, Dinty (Wesley Barry
) becomes the family's breadwinner by selling newspapers. Doreen, meanwhile, suffers from tuberculosis
and gets weaker by the day.
Meanwhile, in Chinatown, wealthy opium smuggler Wong Tai kidnaps Judge Whitely's daughter in retribution for the judge's sentencing of Wong Tai's son to prison. Dinty, whose work as a newsboy has familiarized him with the Chinese underworld, leads the police to Wong Tai's hideout and saves the judge's daughter from a torturous death. To show his gratitude, Judge Whitely adopts Dinty, whose mother recently had succumbed to tuberculosis, and Dinty begins life anew.
in an uncredited part. Set in San Francisco, portions of the film were shot on location in the northern city, and many San Francisco streets and landmarks, including San Francisco City Hall can be seen.
1920 in film
The year 1920 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks opens.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1920:U.S.A. unless stated*The $1,000,000 Reward...
silent drama featuring actress Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
. The film was written by Marshall Neilan
Marshall Neilan
Marshall Ambrose Neilan was an American motion picture actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer.-Early life:...
specifically for Wesley Barry
Wesley Barry
Wesley Barry was an American child actor in silent motion pictures. He later became a producer and director of both film and television. As a director, he was sometimes billed as Wesley E...
, a young actor known for his freckled complexion. In Wesley's previous film he played a character named "Dinty," a paperboy. The character was so popular that Neilan wrote the story around that character, fleshing out his background and giving him his own adventure.
Story
In a village in the Irish woods, young Doreen Adair (Colleen MooreColleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
) falls in love with a young man, Danny O'Sullivan (Tom Gallery). One day, Danny receives notice that he is offered a job in America. Before leaving, he marries Doreen. A year later, a son is born, and Doreen decides to follow her husband to America. Upon arriving in San Francisco from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Doreen discovers through Danny's landlady Mrs. O'Toole (Kate Price
Kate Price (actress)
Kate Price was an Irish-born American actress. She is perhaps best-remembered for playing the role of Mrs. Kelly in the comedy series, The Cohens and Kellys, made by Universal Pictures between 1926 and 1932. Price appeared in 296 motion pictures between 1910 and 1937.-Career:She was born Katherine...
) that her husband has been killed in a car accident.
To support herself and her infant son Dinty, Doreen labors night shifts as a scrub woman until, at the age of twelve, Dinty (Wesley Barry
Wesley Barry
Wesley Barry was an American child actor in silent motion pictures. He later became a producer and director of both film and television. As a director, he was sometimes billed as Wesley E...
) becomes the family's breadwinner by selling newspapers. Doreen, meanwhile, suffers from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and gets weaker by the day.
Meanwhile, in Chinatown, wealthy opium smuggler Wong Tai kidnaps Judge Whitely's daughter in retribution for the judge's sentencing of Wong Tai's son to prison. Dinty, whose work as a newsboy has familiarized him with the Chinese underworld, leads the police to Wong Tai's hideout and saves the judge's daughter from a torturous death. To show his gratitude, Judge Whitely adopts Dinty, whose mother recently had succumbed to tuberculosis, and Dinty begins life anew.
Cast
- Wesley BarryWesley BarryWesley Barry was an American child actor in silent motion pictures. He later became a producer and director of both film and television. As a director, he was sometimes billed as Wesley E...
- Dinty" O'Sullivan - Colleen MooreColleen MooreColleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
- Doreen O'Sullivan - Tom Gallery - Danny O'Sullivan
- J. Barney SherryJ. Barney SherryJ. Barney Sherry was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 215 films between 1905 and 1929.He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from heart disease....
- Judge Whitely - Marjorie Daw - Ruth Whitely
- Pat O'Malley - Jack North
- Noah Beery - Wong Tai
- Walter Chung - Sui Lung
- Kate PriceKate Price (actress)Kate Price was an Irish-born American actress. She is perhaps best-remembered for playing the role of Mrs. Kelly in the comedy series, The Cohens and Kellys, made by Universal Pictures between 1926 and 1932. Price appeared in 296 motion pictures between 1910 and 1937.-Career:She was born Katherine...
- Mrs. O'Toole - Tom WilsonTom Wilson (actor)Tom Wilson was an American film actor. He appeared in 254 films between 1915 and 1963. He was born in Helena, Montana, and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* Little Marie...
- Barry Flynn - Aaron Mitchell - Alexander Horatius Jones
- Newton HallNewton HallNewton Hall is a large housing estate in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the north of Durham, near Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me, and has the East Coast Main Line running the length of its east boundary...
- The tough one - Young Hipp - Wong Tai's son
- Hal Wilson
Background
The character of Dinty has a collection of friends of a variety of ethnicities. Among the young actors to play these parts was Anna May WongAnna May Wong
Anna May Wong was an American actress, the first Chinese American movie star, and the first Asian American to become an international star...
in an uncredited part. Set in San Francisco, portions of the film were shot on location in the northern city, and many San Francisco streets and landmarks, including San Francisco City Hall can be seen.
External links
- Entry in American Film Institute catalogue
- http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/D/Dinty1920.html