Author Archive: Retro

Although nobody really cared about World War I by 1924 (it had been over for five and a half years), this melodrama tried to stir up some box office with its brazen patriotism. Thomas Gains (Carl Stockdale) and his wife, Mary (the always motherly Mary Carr), own a farm and have raised two boys, Johnnie (Johnnie Walker), and Silas (Cuyler Supplee). When the U.S. declares war against Germany, Johnnie is anxious to enlist. The draft board turns him down because of an eye injury so he signs up with the Salvation Army and heads for France. The cowardly Silas, meanwhile, stays home and marries Zelda Burrows (Rosemary Cooper), whose father (Mark Fenton) wants to get his hands on the Gains property so he can build a big dam. When Zelda sneers at Silas for staying home, he joins the army and dies on the battlefield. Since Thomas had given Silas the farm, Zelda is able [...]

Eddie Phillips works for his father, an oilman searching for deposits in the north woods. A puppy intended for Eddie falls out of the truck that’s transporting him and is stranded in the forest, but the pup learns to survive on his own and soon becomes master of his domain. A year or so later Eddie and another dog, White Fawn, happen to be camping near property owned by pretty young Betty Francisco when swindler Jim Mason discovers oil deposits on Betty’s land the tries to swindle her out of them, but the heroic dog, now named Thunder, determines to stop Mason and Eddie helps him, not knowing that Thunder is the dog originally meant for him.

Freddie owns a failing old hotel. To attract new business he spreads the rumor that there’s pirate treasure hidden somewhere in the building.

Young Leon Kanter dreams of being a great violinist. His parents scrape up the money for a violin and for lessons, and Leon rewards them by becoming a great player. But as an adult, Leon finds that people want more from him than just music.

Propaganda film based on the autobiography of James W. Gerard, the U.S Ambassador to Germany from 1913-1917. Gerard assisted Nigh in direction, and reportedly had a clause in his contract which stated that the film could not be changed without his consent. Edited by William Nigh, who also has a bit part as a socialist. Dir. Elliot Nugent.

Society-girl thrillseeker Lydia causes the death of motorcylce policeman and is prosecuted by her fiance Daniel who describes in lurid detail the downfall of Rome. While she’s in prison she reforms and Daniel becomes a wasted alocholic

Unlucky office boy is entrusted with huge bank deposit, but doesn’t make it to the bank before it closes, and must keep the cash overnight…disaster can’t be far behind!

Mix is on the trail of his murdering brother-in-law in this compilation of early Mix shorts. COLOR TINTED. Dir. Joseph Kane.