The Avalanche

The Avalanche is a 1919 American silent drama film about gambling directed by George Fitzmaurice who also served as the film's art director. William Scully was the assistant director to Fitzmaurice. The film stars Elsie Ferguson and Warner Oland. Ferguson plays a dual role in the film, portraying both mother and daughter. This is the first film that teamed director Fitzmaurice and star Ferguson. Some scenes were filmed in Lake Placid, New York. Ferguson's gowns were by the designer Callot Soeurs. The film is now considered a lost film. Cast Elsie Ferguson as Chichita, Madame Delano, Helene Lumsden Hare as Price Ruyler Zeffie Tilbury as Mrs Ruyler Fred Esmelton as John Harvey William Roselle as Ferdie Derenforth Grace Field as Sybil Price Warner Oland as Nick Delano Harry Wise George Dupre William T. Carleton Plot After her father, the owner of a gambling house in Spain, is murdered and her husband, a hardened gambler, commits suicide, Chichita takes her little girl and abandons her in a convent. There, little Helene will be raised by the nuns until, fifteen years later, now grown up, the girl escapes.