Remembrance Wall

Title: The Case of Lena Smith

Date: 1929

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Director: Josef von Sternberg

Cast:

Summary: Working class Lena is secretly married to Franz, a student officer. After she has his child, Franz’ father takes the baby away. Feeling guilty and powerless that he cannot intervene, Franz commits suicide. Lena steals the child and raises him in an Hungarian village. The child grows up and leaves to fight in World War I.

Notes: In 1929, films were making the transition to sound. Many of the silent films produced during this transition were not well received by the public, including “The Case of Lena Smith.” This perceived lack-of-interest contributed to the disappearance of many of the films made during this period.