One Law for Both
Encyclopedia
One Law for Both is a 1917
silent film
directed by Ivan Abramson
.
) and her brother Ossip (James W. Morrison
) emigrate to the United States
from Russia
to escape persecution. Elga marries Norman Hutchinson (Vincent Serrano
), but their martial bliss is torn asunder when Norman learns that Elga had had sex with a government official in Russia who had threatened her brother. Norman throws Elga out of the house, but Norman's sister reminds him that he did not suggest the same course of action for her when she realized her husband (Count de Fernac, played by Pedro de Cordoba
) had previously fathered a child out of wedlock. Struck by cognitive dissonance
--the unequal treatment of the sexes--Norman apologizes to Elga and they are reunited.
found the finished product to be "far too long" with a "very slow and somewhat tedious" tempo, and with rapid unexplained jumping of scene between America and Russia. But the New York press gave it very favorable reviews.
1917 in film
The year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
silent film
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...
directed by Ivan Abramson
Ivan Abramson
Ivan Abramson was a director of American silent films active in the 1910s and 1920s.Abramson emigrated to the United States from Russia in the 1880s and soon became involved in Jewish newspaper field. In 1905 he founded an opera company. In 1914, he founded Ivan Film Productions to produce...
.
Plot
Elga Pulsaki (Rita JolivetRita Jolivet
Rita Jolivet was an English actress of French descent in theater and silent movies in the early twentieth century...
) and her brother Ossip (James W. Morrison
James W. Morrison
James W. Morrison , was an American actor. He appeared in 187 films between 1911 and 1927.He was born in Mattoon, Illinois, USA and died in New York, New York.-External links:...
) emigrate to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to escape persecution. Elga marries Norman Hutchinson (Vincent Serrano
Vincent Serrano
Vincent Serrano was an American actor in plays and silent films. His best known role was as Lieutenant Denton in the Augustus Thomas play Arizona , which had its New York opening in September 1900. He acted the role in over 1,000 performances. He also appeared in 13 movies, the last of which...
), but their martial bliss is torn asunder when Norman learns that Elga had had sex with a government official in Russia who had threatened her brother. Norman throws Elga out of the house, but Norman's sister reminds him that he did not suggest the same course of action for her when she realized her husband (Count de Fernac, played by Pedro de Cordoba
Pedro de Cordoba
Pedro de Cordoba , was an American actor.Pedro de Cordoba, who appeared in his first film, a 1915 version of Carmen, was actually a classically trained theatre actor who confessed he did not enjoy appearing in silent films nearly as much as he liked working on stage...
) had previously fathered a child out of wedlock. Struck by cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is a discomfort caused by holding conflicting ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Dissonance is also reduced by justifying,...
--the unequal treatment of the sexes--Norman apologizes to Elga and they are reunited.
Receptions
One Law for Both was director Ivan Abramson's most involved production to that point in terms of expense, length, and cast, featuring a well-known cast of respected actors. The Moving Picture WorldThe Moving Picture World
The Moving Picture World was an influential early trade journal for the American film industry, from 1907 to 1927. By 1914, it had a reported circulation of approximately 15,000.The publication was founded by James Petrie Chalmers, Jr...
found the finished product to be "far too long" with a "very slow and somewhat tedious" tempo, and with rapid unexplained jumping of scene between America and Russia. But the New York press gave it very favorable reviews.
Status
The film's preservation status is unknown.Silentera.com entry for One Law for Both, Retrieved October 20, 2011 ("Survival Status: (unknown)")Cast
- Rita JolivetRita JolivetRita Jolivet was an English actress of French descent in theater and silent movies in the early twentieth century...
at Elga Pulaski - James W. MorrisonJames W. MorrisonJames W. Morrison , was an American actor. He appeared in 187 films between 1911 and 1927.He was born in Mattoon, Illinois, USA and died in New York, New York.-External links:...
as Ossip Pulaski - Leah BairdLeah BairdLeah Baird was an American actress of the silent screen, and a screenwriter.-Life:She began her film career in 1910 in Jean and the Waif opposite Jean, the Vitagraph Dog. She played several leads in William F. Brady's troupe, opposite Douglas Fairbanks...
as Helen - Vincent SerranoVincent SerranoVincent Serrano was an American actor in plays and silent films. His best known role was as Lieutenant Denton in the Augustus Thomas play Arizona , which had its New York opening in September 1900. He acted the role in over 1,000 performances. He also appeared in 13 movies, the last of which...
as Norman Hutchinson - Paul CapellaniPaul CapellaniPaul Capellani was a noted French silent film actor. His brother was the director Albert Capellani.He starred in some 100 films between 1908 and 1930.In 1920 he appeared in Guy du Fresnay's De la coupe aux lèvres....
as Baron Jan Slezak - Helen ArnoldHelen ArnoldHelen Prettyman Arnold was a silent film actress who appeared in motion pictures from 1916 - 1918.-Career:Ms. Arnold was a member of the cast of the 1891 production of "Nerves" at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City....
as Magda - Pedro de CordobaPedro de CordobaPedro de Cordoba , was an American actor.Pedro de Cordoba, who appeared in his first film, a 1915 version of Carmen, was actually a classically trained theatre actor who confessed he did not enjoy appearing in silent films nearly as much as he liked working on stage...
as Count de Fernac - Margaret Greene as Renee
- Anders RandolfAnders RandolfAnders Randolf was a Danish American actor in American films from 1913 to 1931.Anders was born in Viborg, Denmark where he became a professional soldier in the Danish army and a world-class swordsman. He immigrated to the United States in 1895, quickly giving in to a lifelong passion for the...
as The Governor, General Gourko - Hassan Mussalli as Feodor Wolski
- Walter Gould as Henri