Alice Catlin

The Vermilion Pencil is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Norman Dawn, and produced and distributed by Robertson–Cole. It is based on the eponymous 1908 novel by Homer Lea. The film stars Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa in multiple roles, and white actors Ann May, Bessie Love, and Sidney Franklin, all in Asian roles. It is now a lost film.

William Bryant, a hopeless invalid due to a profligate life and made vicious by the fact, lives to make life a misery for his wife Margaret. One evening Bryant's physician, Dr. Cameron arrives at his patient's house, just in time, to intercept a blow that Bryant has directed at Margaret and knocks him unconscious in the ensuing struggle. Margaret flees with Cameron, observed by the chauffeur who enters the house with the intention of stealing. Meanwhile Bryant has regained consciousness and in his twisted mind determines to kill himself and frame his wife. He’s almost successful until at almost the last moment his butler steps forward and acknowledges that Bryant was shot as they struggle with his pistol which the chauffeur confirms.