Chester Withey

Directing

Chester Withey

Born 1887-11-08 · Park City, Utah, USA

Acting credits

No artwork available
NR

Elderly hidalgo, Alonso Quijano (played by DeWolf Hopper Sr.), becomes obsessed with tales of knights and chivalry to the point of losing his sanity. He renames himself "Don Quixote de la Mancha" and decides to become a knight-errant to right the wrongs of the world and defend the helpless. He designates a local peasant girl (Fay Tincher) as his noble lady "Dulcinea" and convinces a simple farmer, Sancho Panza (Max Davidson), to be his loyal squire with promises of an island governorship.

Don Quixote

1916

Sunshine Dad poster
5.5

The theft of a sacred diamond band from a Hindoo shrine starts the action.

Sunshine Dad

1916

No artwork available
NR

Old Man Hathaway was a trapper and lived with his only daughter in the mountains. Pretty Claudine often went forth to visit the traps with him and one day, when no bound, they saw a youth kiss a maiden affectionately. Seeing a chance for an object lesson, the old trapper sagely shook his head, saying, "My child, such kisses are poison. Guard against them."

The Kiss

1913

No artwork available
10.0

Clifton Boyle, a lead actor in a disbanded theater troupe. Boyle returns home to find his sister dying; she reveals she married Harold Welles, another actor, who abandoned her and their deceased baby. Boyle swears vengeance on Welles. Boyle tracks Welles down and uses the theatrical world to enact his revenge, making a real-life drama out of his sister's tragedy.

The Play's the Thing

1914

No artwork available
NR

The pretty dancer and the casual cowboy visitor at the cabaret fell in love. A Mexican waiter loved Chiquita. A Gringo get this dainty bundle of Spanish nerves and beauty? Never! He planned to destroy the cowboy lover by a drop of poison in his cup.

On the Border

1913

The Circle of Fate poster
10.0

Antone Tojetti and his pretty daughter, Maria, are street musicians in Venice. John Strom, an American millionaire, makes love to Maria, and finally persuades her to leave for America with him. Her father sees them just as they are leaving, but she will not return to him. Two years later, Maria, abandoned by John, returns to her father, who has now become a guide in the mountains. She dies and Antone vows vengeance. Some time after this, John Strom, now married, is touring Europe and he and his party seek a guide to visit Vesuvius. Antone takes the position. John not recognizing in him the father of Maria.

The Circle of Fate

1914

No artwork available
NR

Bessie received a note from Uncle Dan along with a pony and was more than delighted with the handsome gift. Her sweetheart, Bill Walters, grew quite peeved at the way in which Bessie forgot him for her horse. Some days later Bessie's father, the sheriff, received a note that horse thieves were operating in his vicinity. He notified Bessie to watch carefully over her new pony and Bessie alert to the possibility, promptly rode to town to obtain a strong lock for the barn.

Hearts and Horses

1913

No artwork available
NR

John Allen is in love with pretty Mabel Trude and the honor conferred upon Allen by the community, electing him sheriff, aids Allen in pressing his suit. The engagement is announced. Tom Trude, the brother of Mabel, is a sort of shiftless fellow and is exceedingly unlucky at cards. It required but little argument on the part of the acknowledged best man of the community to win Tom over to his gang, as he hopes to make good his losses at cards in some manner other than actual labor. The post office is held up and the sheriff called upon to bring the perpetrators to justice. A lively encounter is followed by the escape and pursuit of one of the men. The sheriff himself takes up the chase and successfully runs down the man. To his consternation, it proves to be Mabel's brother. He passes their home with the prisoner in tow. Mabel argues and pleads, but to no avail, and she finally plays her largest card--her love, against her brother's liberty

Love and the Law

1913

No artwork available
NR

The old homestead involved had been passed from father to son and was about to be wrested from them by an avaricious corporation. Lawsuits were started, but the corporation managed to gain the best of the argument, when Ruth took the law into her own hands, held up the coach, and stored the big strong box in the bushes. Notices offering big rewards were posted conspicuously and Ruth lost her fortitude. The reward was increased, Ruth disclosed the location of the treasure, but refused the reward. The company's agent lost his nerve, and as appreciation, deeded back the old homestead to Ruth.

An Even Exchange

1913

No artwork available
NR

A ghost story in which the prospective son-in-law agrees to stay in the haunted house. The girl's father plays ghost, but the tables are turned on him in an amusing manner.

Courage of Sorts

1913

No artwork available
NR

The youthful monarch, Edward IV of England, is treacherously advised by Sir Stephen Fitz Allen, who is the King's boon companion, in favor of turning down the offer of Louis XI to cease the controversy that has been pending so long. The King, Edward IV, follows the advice of his companion and the French messenger meets with an insult, returning to the French court in a quandary.

The Higher Law

1914

No artwork available
NR

The army engineer and his daughter are deeply interested in each other, but, of course, the will of the father predominates. As a result the girl experiences many heart aches, because it does seem as though she is about to lose her sweetheart because he is not an army man. The issue is brought to a climax by the presence of a spy in the father's home. Plans for the border fortifications are stolen and the impending disgrace and ruin drive the officer to the verge of despair, from which he is rescued by the daughter and her sweetheart, who rescue the plans, and apprehend the spy.

A Foreign Spy

1913

No artwork available
NR

The cheery smile of big-hearted Ed Daton, a simple Westerner, causes a little girl to sense the thrill of happiness. Her desire for a greater measure of this, to her unknown joy, prompts her to steal away from her abusive parents and wander back to the little station known as "Lonesome." She is taken in by big Ed and the other noble herdsman and develops under the new environment to a bright and cheerful maiden. Out of gratitude, she guards the welfare of her benefactors and prompts them to nobler deeds of manhood.

Pride of Lonesome

1913

No artwork available
NR

Young Cal Jim had often called upon Betty but never found the courage to propose. His pal, Mark Halworthy did, however, and Betty accepted. Disappointed, Cal asked and received a grubstake from Mark and went away into the hills to seek gold and heart balm. Two years later Mark took to gambling. He neglected Betty and, one day, intoxicated, struck her.

When Luck Changes

1913

The Oubliette poster
3.3

Francois Villon, vagabond, poet and philosopher, and his friend Colin, leave the vagabond camp and start for Paris. En route to that city, Villon's heart is touched at sight of the eviction of an elderly couple from their poor home. Whereupon he empties his own and Colin's purse, pays the Beadle, and then resume their journey. Overcome with the pangs of hunger, they "lift " the purses of a couple of corpulent monks. For this breach of law both Villon and Colin are arrested and thrown into prison. This film and By the Sun's Rays are two of Chaney's earliest surviving films.

The Oubliette

1914

No artwork available
NR

Molly, a slavey in a New York boarding house, is in love with Herbert, the butler at the house next door. They are engaged to be married. Molly is a sort of Cinderella, whom everybody in the boarding house picks on, especially Beth, an actress in search of a rich husband. A mysterious man comes to the place, and both Molly and Beth, because of his resemblance to a picture they have seen in the paper of the lost Lord Lovell, believe him to be none other than this titled Englishman, whom the trustees of his estate are seeking. Beth gets the stranger a place in her company, and the manager makes money featuring "the lost Lord Lovell." Meanwhile, Molly and the butler have been married. To celebrate their honeymoon they go to the theater. Coming out, they read in the paper about the hit Lord Lovell is making on Broadway and the story of his disappearance from England.

The Lost Lord Lowell

1915

No artwork available
NR

Harry Reeder was a steady visitor at the cabaret and he visited with a single thought in mind - pretty Vail, the singer.

Via Cabaret

1913

No artwork available
NR

Pedro wanted Paquita and her father seconded his suit. But Paquita was in love with Paul Hapgood, an American, and would not hear of it. She wrote to Paul and told him to take her away.

A Rose of Old Mexico

1913

Behind the camera

Little Comrade poster
9.0

Genevieve arrives at the Hubbard farm in New York State in a chauffeur-driven limousine, bringing along her maid, her pet dog, and custom-made silk overalls modeled after Russian ballet attire. She eventually adapts to the labor and falls in love with Bob Hubbard, the farmer's youngest son. However, when Bob enters an army training camp, he finds military life distasteful and goes AWOL to return home. Genevieve successfully persuades Bob to return to his post and fulfill his duty. Though their initial secret meeting leads to Genevieve being sent away by the elder Hubbard, Bob eventually obtains a leave of absence to clear her name. He becomes a resolute soldier, and the two resolve to marry once the war is over.

Little Comrade

1919

No artwork available
NR

Elderly hidalgo, Alonso Quijano (played by DeWolf Hopper Sr.), becomes obsessed with tales of knights and chivalry to the point of losing his sanity. He renames himself "Don Quixote de la Mancha" and decides to become a knight-errant to right the wrongs of the world and defend the helpless. He designates a local peasant girl (Fay Tincher) as his noble lady "Dulcinea" and convinces a simple farmer, Sancho Panza (Max Davidson), to be his loyal squire with promises of an island governorship.

Don Quixote

1916

Sunshine Dad poster
5.5

The theft of a sacred diamond band from a Hindoo shrine starts the action.

Sunshine Dad

1916

Romance poster
9.5

A young man planning to marry receives a cautionary tale from his bishop based on the sad tale of the bishop's own early romance.

Romance

1920

Domestic Relations poster
10.0

Though Judge Benton unhesitatingly sentences laborer Joe Martin to a year in prison for beating his wife, he thoughtlessly abandons his own faithful wife to the attentions of an artist and demands a divorce when he suspects her of wrongdoing. Through coincidence Barbara Benton and Mrs. Martin become friends, and Barbara learns of Joe's desire for revenge.

Domestic Relations

1922

No artwork available
10.0

An Australian Bandit Story

The Bushranger

1928

Outcast poster
3.0

A down-on-her luck streetwalker is ultimately redeemed by the love of a decent man.

Outcast

1922

The Hun Within poster
NR

A German-American father, loyal to his new U.S. home, finds himself on opposite sides with his son in the wartime conflict between Germany and America. The son becomes involved with German agents plotting against U.S., and the father must decide between his son and his adopted homeland.

The Hun Within

1918

The Devil's Needle poster
6.4

Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.

The Devil's Needle

1916

The Devil's Needle poster
6.4

Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.

The Devil's Needle

1916

On the Quiet poster
NR

Young couple gets married in secret because her family objects to the match. To escape the family the couple goes into hiding.

On the Quiet

1918

The Teeth of the Tiger poster
9.0

Living quietly under the assumed name Paul Sernine, reformed gentleman crook Arsene Lupin is summoned to protect his invalid, wealthy friend Henry Forbes.

The Teeth of the Tiger

1919

The Old Folks at Home poster
NR

Senator John Coburn's son Steve, who associates more with gamblers, criminals and drug addicts than with his father's congressional cronies, impulsively murders his mistress' new lover. The senator tries to use his influence to have Steve acquitted, but all of the evidence firmly and correctly implicates him, and so the jury prepares to find Steve guilty without much deliberation. Before the verdict can be announced, however, Steve's mother rises in court to make an impassioned plea for her son. As a result, moved by the mother's grief, the jurors choose to ignore all of the evidence, and declare that Steve is not guilty.

The Old Folks at Home

1916

The Old Folks at Home poster
NR

Senator John Coburn's son Steve, who associates more with gamblers, criminals and drug addicts than with his father's congressional cronies, impulsively murders his mistress' new lover. The senator tries to use his influence to have Steve acquitted, but all of the evidence firmly and correctly implicates him, and so the jury prepares to find Steve guilty without much deliberation. Before the verdict can be announced, however, Steve's mother rises in court to make an impassioned plea for her son. As a result, moved by the mother's grief, the jurors choose to ignore all of the evidence, and declare that Steve is not guilty.

The Old Folks at Home

1916

Her Honor, the Governor poster
10.0

The only son of Gov. Adele Fenway, Bob, is engaged to Marian Lee, and at a dinner Adele announces her intention of giving them a wedding house. Having refused to support a water power bill endorsed by Jim Dornton, the political boss of the state, the governor is threatened.

Her Honor, the Governor

1926

Going the Limit poster
8.0

Gordon Emery hopes to marry the wealthy Estelle Summers but is ashamed of his own lack of money. He then hears that he is the sole heir of a fortune of two million dollars from his uncle. Estelle refuses to marry him, however, unless he loses all of it. Convinced that the best way to do this will be to get arrested and compel his uncle to disinherit him, he tries a to get arrested in a variety of ways but keeps failing to do so and is even commended for preventing a bank robbery.

Going the Limit

1926

Heroes and Husbands poster
8.0

Susanne Danbury and Walter Gaylord, the man she loves, are among the weekend guests of her publisher, Hugh Bemis, and his wife Agatha, who also loves Walter. Lost film.

Heroes and Husbands

1922

No artwork available
9.0

At the outbreak of the World War, Janet Graham, a telegrapher, is persuaded by Eddie Delano, a crook masquerading as a salesman, to marry him. She agrees, but upon discovering his duplicity, she turns him over to the police. Janet enters the U. S. Secret Service and is detailed to uncover the source of a "leak" in the sailing of troop transports

Secret Orders

1926

The New Moon poster
8.0

When anarchist bombs disrupt the engagement ball of Princess Marie Pavlovna, her fiancé, Prince Michail Koloyar, helps her to escape in a carriage. Then Theo Kameneff, secretly in the pay of a foreign government, becomes dictator and, desiring the princess, issues an edict that all women between the ages of seventeen and thirty-two must register and become state property.

The New Moon

1919

The New Moon poster
8.0

When anarchist bombs disrupt the engagement ball of Princess Marie Pavlovna, her fiancé, Prince Michail Koloyar, helps her to escape in a carriage. Then Theo Kameneff, secretly in the pay of a foreign government, becomes dictator and, desiring the princess, issues an edict that all women between the ages of seventeen and thirty-two must register and become state property.

The New Moon

1919

A Woman's Awakening poster
7.0

A 1917 film directed by Chester Withey.

A Woman's Awakening

1917

In Pursuit of Polly poster
7.5

Pretty Polly Marsden is ardently pursued by three different Romeos, but she coyly refuses to choose between them. When they insist that she give them her answer, she arranges an impromptu automobile race: whichever one of the three can overtake her speeding roadster will be the man whom she will marry.

In Pursuit of Polly

1918

The Impostor poster
10.0

The debauched son of a wealthy family, Dick Gilbert, is forced to raise money to pay off gambling debts and uses a valuable family jewel as security for a loan from Prince Borkoff, but it is stolen by Morris, a gambler.

The Impostor

1926

Richard the Lion-Hearted poster
NR

Wallace Beery repeats his role of King Richard, a role he played so sucessfully in Robin Hood the previous year.

Richard the Lion-Hearted

1923