Eyes of Youth (1919) – Silent Film Classic | Public Domain

Library last generated: 2026-01-08 14:23 LOCAL

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Eyes of Youth (1919) – Silent Film Classic | Public Domain Cast: - Clara Kimball Young as Rita Ashling - Harrison Ford as Richard Alden (not to be confused with the modern actor) - Anna Q. Nilsson as Marcia Warren - J. Barney Sherry as Philip Ashling - Ben Alexander as John Lee Plot Summary: Eyes of Youth (1919) is a captivating silent drama that explores the timeless theme of choices and consequences through the eyes of a young woman named Rita Ashling. On the eve of her wedding, Rita is plagued by visions of her potential futures, revealing how different paths could shape her life, love, and happiness. These prophetic dreams lead her to confront her heart’s desires, family expectations, and the societal pressures of the time. With powerful performances and expressive direction, the film beautifully portrays the emotional turmoil of youth and the quest for self-understanding. Film History: Directed by Albert Parker, Eyes of Youth is a significant example of early 20th-century American silent cinema. It was a breakout role for Clara Kimball Young, one of the silent era’s most popular actresses. The film is noted for its innovative use of dream sequences and visual storytelling techniques to depict psychological states, a precursor to later developments in cinematic narrative. It also features a young Harrison Ford (a major star of silent films, not the modern-day actor) and was based on a play of the same name by Wilson Mizner. The film’s themes of fate, choice, and youth resonated with audiences of its time and continue to offer insight into the cultural mindset of post-World War I America. Public Domain Notice: Eyes of Youth (1919) is now in the public domain. This means the film is free to view, share, and distribute without restriction. Enjoy this restored silent classic and explore a piece of cinematic history! --- ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more classic films! ✨ #SilentFilm #PublicDomain #EyesOfYouth #ClaraKimballYoung #1919Film #ClassicCinema #FilmHistory