Dante's Inferno (1924 film)
Encyclopedia
Dante's Inferno is a silent film
released by Fox Film Corporation, and adapted from Inferno, part of Dante Alighieri
's epic poem The Divine Comedy
.
has an incomplete print, three reels out of a total of five reels. A print of the film reportedly also survives at the Museum of Modern Art
. Some of the original prints of this film had the scenes in hell tinted
in red.
and some Theda Bara films, featured full nudity in some sequences. Actress Pauline Starke
is completely nude in the Hell sequences, with the exception of a large flowing black wig that covers her nether regions. Some bit players and extras are fully nude. The different prints of the film were more than likely edited according to the attitudes of the different regions or parts of the world they played in. The film also features popular comic actor Bud Jamison
in blackface as a butler; he is easily recognizable under the makeup, and his initial appearance has caused some laughter by knowledgeable film buffs at its occasional screenings.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
released by Fox Film Corporation, and adapted from Inferno, part of Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
's epic poem The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...
.
Plot
The tactics of a vicious slumlord and greedy businessman finally drive a distraught man to commit suicide. The businessman is tried for murder and executed, and is afterward taken by demons to the Hell where he will spend the rest of eternity.Cast
- Ralph LewisRalph Lewis (actor)Ralph Percy Lewis was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 160 films between 1912 and 1938.He was born in Englewood, Illinois and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:...
- Mortimer Judd - Winifred Landis - Mrs. Judd
- William ScottWilliam Scott (actor)William Scott was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 90 films between 1913 and 1934.He was born in Wisconsin and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* Jackie...
- Ernest Judd - Pauline StarkePauline StarkePauline Starke was an American silent-film actress born in Joplin, Missouri.She made her acting debut appearing as a dance extra in D.W. Griffith's film Intolerance...
- Nurse Marjorie Vernon - Josef SwickardJosef SwickardJosef Swickard was a German-born veteran stage and screen character actor, who had toured with stock companies in Europe, South Africa, and South America.-Career:...
- Eugene Craig - Gloria GreyGloria GreyGloria Grey was an American actress and director, appearing in mainly dramatic/romantic films during the silent era....
- Mildred Craig - Lorimer JohnstonLorimer JohnstonLorimer Johnston was an American silent film actor and director....
- The doctor - Lawson ButtLawson ButtW. Lawson Butt was a British actor and film director of the silent era.-Selected filmography:Actor* Dante's Inferno * The Chicago Fire * The Beloved Rogue * Old San Francisco Director...
- Dante - Howard GayeHoward Gaye-Selected filmography:* Birth of a Nation * Intolerance * The Spirit of '76 * The Scarlet Pimpernel * A Slave of Vanity * My Lady's Latchkey * A Prince of Lovers...
- Virgil - Carmencita Johnson - Baby
- Bud JamisonBud JamisonBud Jamison was an American film actor. He appeared in 450 films between 1915 and 1944.-Career:...
- The butler (uncredited) - Noble JohnsonNoble JohnsonNoble Johnson was an African American actor and film producer.-Biography:Standing 6'2" at 215 pounds, his impressive physique and handsome features made him in demand as a character actor and bit player...
- Devil with lash whipping woman (uncredited) - Lon Poff - Secretary (uncredited)
Preservation status
The UCLA Film and Television ArchiveUCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
has an incomplete print, three reels out of a total of five reels. A print of the film reportedly also survives at the Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
. Some of the original prints of this film had the scenes in hell tinted
Film tinting
Film tinting is the process of adding color to black-and-white film, usually by means of soaking the film in dye and staining the film emulsion...
in red.
Production
This film, like several previous Fox Films such as The Queen of Sheba, A Daughter of the GodsA Daughter of the Gods
A Daughter of the Gods is a silent film that featured Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman.The film was controversial because of the sequences of what was regarded as superfluous nudity by the main character, Nydia, played by Kellerman...
and some Theda Bara films, featured full nudity in some sequences. Actress Pauline Starke
Pauline Starke
Pauline Starke was an American silent-film actress born in Joplin, Missouri.She made her acting debut appearing as a dance extra in D.W. Griffith's film Intolerance...
is completely nude in the Hell sequences, with the exception of a large flowing black wig that covers her nether regions. Some bit players and extras are fully nude. The different prints of the film were more than likely edited according to the attitudes of the different regions or parts of the world they played in. The film also features popular comic actor Bud Jamison
Bud Jamison
Bud Jamison was an American film actor. He appeared in 450 films between 1915 and 1944.-Career:...
in blackface as a butler; he is easily recognizable under the makeup, and his initial appearance has caused some laughter by knowledgeable film buffs at its occasional screenings.