"Tol'able David" (1921)

Richard-Barthelmess-in-Tolable-David-1921-03

Richard Barthelmess

Directed by                     Henry King
Produced by                   Inspiration Pictures
Scenario by                    Edmund Goulding and Henry King
Based on the short story “Tol’able David” by Joseph Hergesheimer
Starring                          Richard Barthelmess, Gladys Hulette, Ernest Torrence, Forrest Robinson, Marion Abbott, Edmund Gurney, Warner Richmond
Cinematography            Henry Cronjager
Distributed by                First National Exhibitors’ Circuit
Release date                December 31, 1921
Running time                  93 minutes
Country                           United States
Language                        Silent film, English intertitles

This movie is part of our series "Other Favorite Films". This category includes films that do not feature a particular star from our site, but which in our view represent a major contribution of a silent movie to the Arts and Culture of the world.

"Tol'able David" is a rousing drama of small-town America, in which Richard Barthelmess plays one of his most memorable roles.

David (Richard Barthelmess) is a young fellow, who is constantly reminded that he is not mature enough for a grown-man's job. Then dramatic events occur and he has the opportunity to prove himself when he is pushed to the limit in circumstances, which very few "real men" can handle.

"Tol'able David" was added to the National Film Registry in 2007 as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The film is ranked number 48 in the list of The Top 100 Silent Era Films of the influential website Silent Era.

It has an outstanding rating in IMDB.

Click to enlarge:

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 01

Richard Barthelmess reads the story about David and Goliath in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette is the pretty girl next door in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Warner Richmond In Tolable David 1921 04

Richard Barthelmess talks to his brother Warner Richmond in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 05

Richard Barthelmess and Gladys Hulette spend some fun time together in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 06

Ernest Torrence is one of three fugitives from justice in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette watches Richard Barthelmess trying to catch a trout in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette is excited as Richard Barthelmess catches a trout in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 09

Richard Barthelmess is happy with his catch, too in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 10

Gladys Hulette is thrilled when Richard Barthelmess gives her the trout in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 11

Richard Barthelmess smokes a cigar to appear more mature in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette And Forrest Robinson In Tolable David 1921 12

Gladys Hulette shows the trout to her father Forrest Robinson in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Forrest Robinson In Tolable David 1921 13

Forrest Robinson is very worried when his fugitive cousins show up in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette And Forrest Robinson In Tolable David 1921 14

Forrest Robinson and Gladys Hulette are very uneasy when the fugitives install themselves in their home in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 15

Gladys Hulette tells Richard Barthelmess about the fugitives in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 16

Richard Barthelmess pauses after an unpleasant encounter with the strangers in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Warner Richmond In Tolable David 1921 17

Richard Barthelmess tells Warner Richmond about his newborn baby boy in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 18

Richard Barthelmess is ignored when the men raise a toast for the baby in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Edmund Gurney And Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 19

Richard Barthelmess is stopped from smoking by his father Edmund Gurney in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 20

Gladys Hulette tells Richard Barthelmess that she is afraid of the fugitives in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 21

Richard Barthelmess is worried about Gladys Hulette in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 22

Gladys Hulette appears to tell Richard Barthelmess 'I love you' in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Warner Richmond In Tolable David 1921 23

Warner Richmond threatens Ernest Torrence with revenge for killing his brother's dog in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Warner Richmond In Tolable David 1921 24

Warner Richmond lies lifeless after being hit with a large stone by Ernest Torrence in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Forrest Robinson And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 25

Forrest Robinson is warned by Ernest Torrence to keep his mouth shut or else in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 26

Richard Barthelmess waits in agony as a doctor attends his gravely injured brother in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 27

Richard Barthelmess is heartbroken to learn that his brother will be paralyzed for life in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Edmund Gurney And Marion Abbott In Tolable David 1921 28

Marion Abbott wishes Edmund Gurney to come back when he takes a rifle to shoot their enemies in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Edmund Gurney And Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 29

Richard Barthelmess is in shock when Edmund Gurney dies after a heart attack in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 30

Richard Barthelmess picks up a rifle to avenge the loss of his father and brother in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 31

Richard Barthelmess rages when his mother stops him from avenging the loss of his father and brother in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 32

Richard Barthelmess knows that he must obey his mother as he is now the only man at home in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 33

Richard Barthelmess blames Gladys Hulette for his family's misfortunes in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Gladys Hulette In Tolable David 1921 34

Richard Barthelmess reconciles with Gladys Hulette in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 35

Richard Barthelmess finally gets the job he dreamed for all his life - to deliver the mail in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette is thrilled to see Richard Barthelmess drive the mail carriage in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 37

Ernest Torrence picks up a mail bag on the road in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 38

Richard Barthelmess is horrified to realize that he lost a mail bag on the road in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Gladys Hulette And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 39

Gladys Hulette is threatened by Ernest Torrence when she tries to recover the mail bag in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 40

Richard Barthelmess confronts Ernest Torrence for stealing the mail bag in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 41

David and Goliath: Richard Barthelmess confronts Ernest Torrence in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 42

Richard Barthelmess is shot in the arm in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 43

Ernest Torrence finally sees a chance to get Gladys Hulette in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess In Tolable David 1921 44

Richard Barthelmess gets ready to shoot in self-defense in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 45

Richard Barthelmess is about to start a life and death fight with the mighty Ernest Torrence in "Tol'able David" (1921).

Richard Barthelmess And Ernest Torrance In Tolable David 1921 46

Richard Barthelmess appears close to losing the fight and his life, overpowered by Ernest Torrence in "Tol'able David" (1921).

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Richard Barthelmess and Gladys Hulette

Richard Barthelmess, Gladys Hulette, Ernest Torrence, Henry King, silent film, silent movie stars, free classic film, old movies, silent film streaming, silent era, archive films, rare films, silent drama, silent classics, classic images

"Tol'able David" (1921) - with film