Souls for Sale | 1923 | Comedy Drama

Title: Souls for Sale | 1923 | Comedy Drama Director: Rupert Hughes Studio: Goldwyn Pictures Corporation Starring: Eleanor Boardman, Frank Mayo, Richard Dix, Mae Busch, Barbara La Marr, Lew Cody Based on: Novel *Souls for Sale* by Rupert Hughes Release Date: April 22 1923 (U.S.) Runtime: Approximately 90 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Comedy Drama Romance --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Remember Steddon’s wedding and escape 00:10:00 Lost in the desert and discovered by film crew 00:20:00 Arrival in Hollywood and early screen tests 00:35:00 Rising career and love triangle 00:50:00 Cameos and behind-the-scenes glimpses 01:10:00 Circus climax and resolution --- Summary: Souls for Sale is a 1923 American silent comedy drama about Remember “Mem” Steddon, a preacher’s daughter who impulsively leaves her new husband on their honeymoon train after doubting their marriage. Stranded in the desert, she stumbles upon a film crew and begins a journey into the motion picture industry. As Mem works her way up from extra to leading roles, the film offers a satirical and affectionate look at early Hollywood, including real cameo appearances by directors and stars of the silent era. Her career, romances, and the pursuit of her estranged husband intertwine in a narrative that blends insider studio detail with melodrama and romance. --- Background: Directed, written, and produced by Rupert Hughes based on his own novel, Souls for Sale provides rare period footage of Hollywood filmmaking in the early 1920s. The movie was long thought lost until prints were rediscovered and restored, revealing its behind-the-scenes glimpses of contemporary studio sets and actual directors at work. --- Trivia: Souls for Sale features cameo appearances by famous filmmakers including Charlie Chaplin and Erich von Stroheim working on their own projects. It was the first starring role for Eleanor Boardman, who won a contract with Goldwyn Pictures through a talent contest. The film was thought lost for decades before being restored and shown on Turner Classic Movies. The narrative includes a dramatic circus sequence with a storm and a wind machine that plays into the climax. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: April 22 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Goldwyn Pictures Corporation Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #SoulsForSale #1923Film #RupertHughes #EleanorBoardman #SilentFilm #ComedyDrama #HollywoodHistory #PublicDomain