Lying Lips was Thomas Ince's first independently-produced production after departing Paramount to set up his own distributing organization, Associated Producer, akin to United Artists created at the same time. In Lying Lips, Florence Vidor, playing an English aristocrat, falls in love with a rancher, House Peters, but cannot accept the life she would have to lead with him. Sailing back to England, their ship sinks, and although she swears her love, she changes her mind when they are rescued. He sacrifices his life so they will not be found together. Ultimately she leaves another wealthy Londoner at the altar when she discovers the rancher miraculously survived, and they depart for Australia. It was one of a series Ince began on the changing roles of women and relationships in marriage.
The story by May Edginton was adapted by Bradley King. John Griffith Wray directed the seven reel production, but Ince had his heart on using a real battleship for the desired authenticity, even placing Peters inside the filthy ship's hold. He donned his old sweater to personally direct the shipwreck scenes for three days, shot aboard the Minnesota, loaned for this purpose. The results were acclaimed for their realism, and the movie cost $263,139, and grossed $446,527, as noted in my Ince biography.
The story by May Edginton was adapted by Bradley King. John Griffith Wray directed the seven reel production, but Ince had his heart on using a real battleship for the desired authenticity, even placing Peters inside the filthy ship's hold. He donned his old sweater to personally direct the shipwreck scenes for three days, shot aboard the Minnesota, loaned for this purpose. The results were acclaimed for their realism, and the movie cost $263,139, and grossed $446,527, as noted in my Ince biography.
