The Blot

Released Sep 4, 1921

1h 18m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

46%

Audience Score

50+ Ratings

Amelia (Claire Windsor) is a young librarian with several potential love interests. One is Phil West (Louis Calhern), a wealthy young man and a student of Amelia's father, Andrew (Philip Hubbard). However, Phil's affluence keeps Amelia at bay. When Amelia becomes malnourished because her family cannot afford food, her mother (Margaret McWade) has no choice but to turn to thievery. Seeing that his professor and his love interest are in a dire situation, Phil comes up with a solution.

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Variety Staff

Variety

It touches the heart. It is sensibly and intelligently put together, points a worthwhile moral without offensive preaching and is on a live topic. In addition, its technical qualities are high in standard.

Nov 11, 2019

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Widely regarded as Lois Weber's masterpiece, The Blot brings into perfect harmony the social commentary of her Universal work and the domestic intrigue of her later projects.

Nov 11, 2019

Full Review

Richard Brody

New Yorker

Weber films this pain-seared drama with a meticulous eye for the telling detail-worn-out shoes, torn carpet, tatty furniture-and for the nuances of social observation and concealments on which pride and shame depend.

Jul 24, 2017

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This superb movie helps restore [Weber's] reputation.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 28, 2015

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Vivid look at income inequality and ordinary people struggling to get by, in a society where only the rich make a decent living.

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Connected with the mostly middle-class audience who identified with the heroine.

Rated: B

Aug 23, 2005

Full Review

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Audience Member

Perceptive look at class warfare in the USA.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

a social movie from the woman who made 400 movies of which this and a hand full of others atre all that exhilsts.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The romance here is quite average for a movie like this. The actors are average too, no one really stood out for me. Overall an okay movie, not bad but not good either.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A confusing movie due to it's lack of to identify whose story it is. More about making a bland point than telling a good story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the most boring films I've ever seen!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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Lois Weber

Director

Philip Hubbard

Andrew Theodore Griggs

Margaret McWade

Mrs. Griggs

Claire Windsor

Amelia Griggs

Louis Calhern

Phil West

Marie Walcamp

Juanita Claredon

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Synopsis

Amelia (Claire Windsor) is a young librarian with several potential love interests. One is Phil West (Louis Calhern), a wealthy young man and a student of Amelia's father, Andrew (Philip Hubbard). However, Phil's affluence keeps Amelia at bay. When Amelia becomes malnourished because her family cannot afford food, her mother (Margaret McWade) has no choice but to turn to thievery. Seeing that his professor and his love interest are in a dire situation, Phil comes up with a solution.

Director: Lois Weber
Producer: Kevin Brownlow, David Gill, Lois Weber
Screenwriter: Marion Orth, Lois Weber
Distributor: F.B. Warren Corporation
Production Co: Lois Weber Productions
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 4, 1921, Original
Runtime: 1h 18m