The Callahans and the Murphys | |
---|---|
Directed by | George W. Hill |
Written by | Frances Marion Ralph Spence |
Based on | The Callahans and the Murphys by Kathleen Norris |
Starring | Marie Dressler Polly Moran Sally O'Neil |
Cinematography | Ira H. Morgan |
Edited by | Hugh Wynn |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Callahans and the Murphys is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by George W. Hill. The film was based on a novel by Kathleen Norris, and was the first of several MGM films to star Marie Dressler and Polly Moran.[1] The film was released on June 18, 1927, but subsequently withdrawn from distribution by MGM after protests were lodged by Irish-American organizations.[citation needed]
Mrs. Callahan (Dressler) and Mrs. Murphy (Moran), are a couple of feuding tenement housewives working to keep control of their many children. Dan Murphy (Gray) falls in love with Ellen Callahan (O'Neill), and then later disappears after Ellen is pregnant. Mrs. Callahan (Dressler) decides to adopt the baby to save her daughters reputation, but later finds out that the baby is not illegitimate after all.
There are no complete prints of The Callahans and the Murphys located in any film archives.[2] It was until recently considered a lost film.[3][4]
The Irish Film Archive at the Irish Film Institute rediscovered and restored a five-minute scene that had been stored under the title An Irish Picnic.[5][6]