The Ne'er-Do-Well
| The Ne'er-Do-Well | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Alfred E. Green |
| Screenplay by | Rex Beach Louis Stevens |
| Based on | The Ne'er-Do-Well by Rex Beach |
| Produced by | William Nicholas Selig Adolph Zukor |
| Starring | Thomas Meighan Lila Lee Gertrude Astor John Miltern Gus Weinberg Sidney Smith |
| Cinematography | Ernest Haller William Miller |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Ne'er-Do-Well is a 1923 American comedy silent film directed by Alfred E. Green. The film stars Thomas Meighan, Lila Lee, Gertrude Astor, John Miltern, Gus Weinberg, and Sidney Smith. The screenplay by Rex Beach and Louis Stevens is based on Rex Beach's 1911 novel of the same name. The film was released on April 29, 1923, by Paramount Pictures.[1][2] This film is now considered lost.[3] A previous version of the story was released in 1916.
Plot
Disgusted with his spendthrift son, Kirk Anthony's father has Kirk shanghaied and taken to Panama, where he attracts the attention of Mrs. Edith Cortlandt and falls in love with Chiquita, the daughter of a Panamanian general. He is able to get a railroad job through Edith's husband Stephen Cortlandt and decides to make something of himself when he meets Allen Allan, a Negro soldier of fortune. When the sudden death of Stephen Cortlandt ensues, Kirk is blamed until Edith produces a suicide note and clears his name. He succeeds in his railroad position and returns to the United States with Chiquita and is finally able to earn his father's respect.
Cast
- Thomas Meighan as Kirk Anthony
- Lila Lee as Chiquita
- Gertrude Astor as Edith Cortlandt
- John Miltern as Stephen Cortlandt
- Gus Weinberg as Andres Garavel
- Sidney Smith as Ramón Alfarez
- George O'Brien as Clifford
- Jules Cowles as Allen Allan
- Larry Wheat as Runnels
- Cyril Ring
Production
Exteriors for the The Ne’er-Do-Well were shot on location in Panama. For the aerial shots of the Panama Canal, Arthur Cozine (location manager) and William Miller (cinematographer) ascended in two Martin Bombers to photograph the canal. Interiors were completed in New York.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "The Ne'er-Do-Well". afi.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ Janiss Garza (2016). "The-Ne-er-Do-Well - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ "The Ne'er-Do-Well". Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Paramount Pep. Famous Players-Lasky. February 14, 1923. p. 13.
External links
