The Circle | |
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Lobby card
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Directed by | Frank Borzage |
Written by | Kenneth B. Clarke |
Based on |
The Circle by W. Somerset Maugham |
Starring |
Eleanor Boardman Malcolm McGregor Alec B. Francis Eugenie Besserer Joan Crawford |
Cinematography | Chester A. Lyons |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn |
Release date
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September 22, 1925 |
Running time
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60 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language |
Silent English intertitles |
The Circle is a 1925 silent film directed by Frank Borzage. The film stars Eleanor Boardman, Malcolm McGregor, and Alec B. Francis. A young Joan Crawford appears early in the film but only in a limited role.. The screenplay, written by Kenneth B. Clarke, was based on the 1921 play of the same title by British writer W. Somerset Maugham. The film survives today in excellent condition. The play was filmed again by MGM in an early sound (released also in silent) in 1930 as Strictly Unconventional.
In the 1890s, young Lady Catherine (Joan Crawford) decides to leave her husband (and her son Arnold) in favor of her lover ("Hughie" Porteous). Thirty years later, young Elizabeth (Eleanor Boardman) is facing the same choice between her husband (the now grown Arnold, played by Creighton Hale) and lover (Malcolm McGregor). In the meantime, Arnold's mother Lady Catherine and lover Lord Porteous are coming to visit.