The Blot

The Blot
Advertisement from Exhibitors Herald, 1921
Directed by	Lois Weber
Written by	Lois Weber Marion Orth
Produced by	Lois Weber Phillips Smalley David Gill Kevin Brownlow
Starring	Philip Hubbard Margaret McWade Claire Windsor Louis Calhern Marie Walcamp
Cinematography	Gordon Jennings Philip R. Du Bois
Production company	Lois Weber Productions
Distributed by	F.B. Warren Corporation
Release date	September 4, 1921 (1921-09-04)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The Blot is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Lois Weber, who also co-wrote (with Marion Orth) and produced the film (with her then-husband, Phillips Smalley). The film tackles the social problem of genteel poverty, focusing on a struggling family. It stars Philip Hubbard, Margaret McWade, Claire Windsor, and Louis Calhern.

Weber filmed in real locations, using as much natural lighting as possible. Scenes were filmed on location around Los Angeles, particularly at the old University of Los Angeles campus, now Los Angeles City College. Many supporting roles were given to non-professionals.

The Blot was restored by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill for British television. Brownlow singles out the film for praise in his book Behind the Mask of Innocence (1990). The Blot screened at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2002.^[1] It was released on DVD in 2006 with expert audio commentary by film historian Shelley Stamp.^[2]