The Bait is a 1921 American silent crime drama film directed and produced by Maurice Tourneur. The screenplay, written by John Colton, was adapted from the 1917 stage play of the same name by Sidney Toler.
The film stars Hope Hampton as Joan Grainger, a young woman who is manipulated by a criminal mastermind named Bennett (Jack McDonald). Bennett utilizes Joan as a lure, or "bait," to entrap wealthy men in compromising situations for the purpose of extortion. The narrative follows Joan's struggle to escape the influence of the criminal syndicate and her developing relationship with John de Gynt (James Kirkwood). The supporting cast includes Hobart Bosworth, Leo Sullivan, and George Kuwa.
Produced by Maurice Tourneur Productions, the film was distributed by Realart Pictures Corporation, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures. It was officially released in the United States on January 2, 1921.
As is the case with many films from the silent era, The Bait is currently categorized as a lost film. There are no known surviving prints in public archives or private collections.
