PILLARS OF SOCIETY – Henry B. Walthall – d: Raoul Walsh

Pillars of Society is a film about hypocrisy, having its basis on a story by Ibsen. The Birth of a Nation hero Henry B. Walthall (right) plays the son of a Norwegian shipping company; in his youth, he goes to Paris to study and has an affair with a married Bohemian actress. However, his brother-in-law is falsely accused of having said affair with the actress; he protects Walthall by accepting the blame and leaving for America.

Years later, the brother-in-law returns and demands that Walthall clear his name. Fearing that if the truth comes out it'll ruin his position in the community as one of its leading citizens, Walthall conspires to kill his brother-in-law by allowing him to sail on one of his ships that he knows is faulty.

Pillars of Society was somewhat disappointing. Despite the talent involved — Walthall in the leading role and Raoul Walsh directing — as well as the spicy subject matter, the film never quite gets off the ground even though it boasts a remarkably well-done race-to-the rescue sequence towards the end.

Reviewed at Cinesation 2009

© James Bazen