Society Secrets

Society Secrets is a 1921 American silent satire film, directed by Leo McCarey. It stars Eva Novak, Gertrude Claire, and George Verrell, and was released in February 1921. It marked McCarey's directorial debut. McCarey didn't make a further feature film for eight years as he concentrated on writing and directing shorts.

Plot

No record of the scenario for Society Secrets to date has been discovered. Biographers Gary Hooper and Leland Poague report that “nothing beyond the production credits has survived” with respect to this lost film. The American Film Institute, however, characterizes the Society Secrets as a “satire,” but provides no plot summary.

Cast

Eva Novak as Louise
Gertrude Claire as Mrs. Kerran
George Verrell as Amos Kerran
Clarissa Selwynne as Aunt
William Buckley as Arthur
Ethel Ritchie as Maybelle
Lee Shumway as George
Carl Stockdale as Squire
Lucy Donohue as Squire's wife

Background

McCarey, age 20, was hired by Universal Studios in 1918 after studying law at the University of California. Working in “menial” jobs at Universal, he was assigned to work serve as an assistant to director Tod Browning, learning “the techniques of film directing and scenario construction.” After completing his apprenticeship on pictures including The Virgin of Stamboul and Outside the [Law (1920 film)|Outside the Law], McCarey was permitted to direct his first film: Society Secrets.

Reception

Biographers Gary Hooper and Leland Poague write: