Where the Pavement Ends is a 1923 American silent South Seas romantic drama film directed by Rex Ingram. The film was produced and distributed by Metro Pictures and was shot on location in Cuba, with principal photography also taking place at Hialeah Studios in Miami, Florida, and possibly in Coconut Grove, Florida. It stars Alice Terry (as Matilda Spener) and Ramon Novario (as Motauri), with a supporting cast that includes Edward Connelly, Harry T. Morey, and John George.
Production
- Director: Rex Ingram
- Writer: Rex Ingram (adaptation & scenario) – based on the 1919 story The Passion Vine by John Russell and the 1921 story Where the Pavement Ends by John Russell.
- Producer: Morton Spring
- Cinematography: John F. Seitz
- Editor: Grant Whytock
- Production Company: Metro Pictures
- Filming Locations: Cuba; Hialeah Studios, Miami, Florida; reported also in Coconut Grove, Florida.
- Principal Photography: Began September 1922.
Cast
- Alice Terry as Matilda Spener
- Ramon Novario as Motauri
- Edward Connelly as Pastor Spener
- Harry T. Morey as Captain Hull Gregson
- John George as Napuka Joe, servant to Gregson
Release
- Distributor: Metro Pictures
- Release Date: March 19, 1923 (United States)
- Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes (8 reels, 7,706 feet)
- Country: United States
- Language: Silent film with English intertitles
Reception
Contemporary reviews noted differing endings for the film: a “tragic” conclusion was reported for the New York City market, while other markets received a “happy” ending.
Preservation Status
No known prints of Where the Pavement Ends have been located in any film archives; consequently, the film is classified as a lost film. In February 2021, it was listed by the National Film Preservation Board among the Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films.
References
- Soares, André (2002). Beyond Paradise: The Life of Ramon Novarro. St. Martin's Press. p. 44.
- American Film Institute Catalog entry for Where the Pavement Ends (AFI Catalog). Retrieved February 10, 2025.
- “The Silent Drama.” Life, May 17, 1923. Archive.org. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- Progressive Silent Film List: Where the Pavement Ends. SilentEra.com. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- National Film Preservation Board. “7,200 Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films (1912‑1929).” PDF. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
External Links
- IMDb entry for Where the Pavement Ends
- Wikimedia Commons media related to the film
- Archived entries in the TCM Movie Database and AFI Catalog.