Out of the Chorus

Dancer Florence Maddis marries Ross Van Beekman, son of an aristocratic New York family, and despite her friends’ doubts manages to fit into the family. Her scheming mother-in-law disapproves of her however colluding with Ned Ormsby, who wants Flo for himself, to make her appear faithless. When Ross suspects Flo of harboring Ormsby, he fires a pistol at her closet. Later when Ormsby is found shot in his house, Ross confesses, believing himself guilty. Sick at heart, Flo returns to the stage of the Winter Palace. Ross is freed, however, when Ormsby’s enemy, Maddox, confesses to the crime, and Flo is happily reconciled with Ross.

Directed by Herbert Blaché, Out of the Chorus leans on a strong ensemble — Alice Brady, Vernon Steele, Charles K. Gerrard — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1921.