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The Wise Guy
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Wikipedia article
'The Wise Guy' is a 1926 American silent crime drama film produced and directed by Frank Lloyd and distributed through First National Pictures. Jules Furthman provided a screen story with scenario by Adela Rogers St. Johns. Mary Astor, James Kirkwood, and Betty Compson star.[http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/W/WiseGuy1926.html Progressive Silent Film List: 'The Wise Guy'] at silentera.com
Cast
Reception
Because the Kirkwood character was a criminal posing as an evangelistic minister who performs marriage and burial ceremonies, the film was found by the New York Board of Censors to be sacrilegious and banned from distribution unless remade. The Board was also concerned by the number of times the name of the Deity appeared in subtitles spoken by the fake minister. First National estimated the cost of resolving the Board's issues to be an additional $50,000 above the initial cost of $175,000.
Preservation
Previously considered lost, 'The Wise Guy' is preserved at the National Archives of Canada.[http://www.silentsaregolden.com/arnefirstnational.html 'The Wise Guy' at Arne Andersen's Lost Film Files: 'First National Pictures - 1926'] [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.2982/default.html The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: 'The Wise Guy']
References
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