Moments From “Lawful Larceny“ At The Savoy Theatre (1922)

Introductory intertitle reads: “Dice and men don’t always agree — with the ladies’ ideas.“ Two men in suits crouch down and throw dice. They are on a stage set at the Savoy Theatre appearing in the play Lawful Larceny. The set represents a drawing room or lounge. Two women enter and look alarmed at the men gambling. The men wear white tie and tails, the women wear evening dress. One of the women grabs one of the men (her husband presumably) by the ear. She lifts him up and drags him through the door by the ear. His companion gets similar treatment from his wife . “A tense little climax for amateur actresses to study. The wife (Ruth Shepley) exposes the card cheating of the Adventuress (Catherine Calvert) who stole her husband — ’lawful larceny’.“ L/S from a high angle of the stage set. Heated discussion takes place on stage between the actors. C/U of the two women having an argument. Melodramatic acting styles in evidence as the two women frown and make angry gestures. High angle L/S,