From the Manger to the Cross

Last updated
From the Manger to the Cross
From the Manger to the Cross.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Sidney Olcott
Written by Gene Gauntier
Produced by Frank J. Marion
Starring
Cinematography George K. Hollister
Distributed by Kalem
Release dates
  • October 3, 1912 (1912-10-03)(London)
  • October 17, 1912 (1912-10-17)(New York City)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)
Budget$35,000
Box office>$1 million
From the Manger to the Cross

From the Manger to the Cross or Jesus of Nazareth (often shortened to simply From the Manger to the Cross) is a 1912 American drama film directed by Sidney Olcott, written by Gene Gauntier (who also portrays Virgin Mary), and starring Robert Henderson-Bland as Jesus of Nazareth. Filmed on location in Egypt and in Palestine, [1] it tells the story of Jesus's life, interspersed with verses from The Bible .

Contents

Kalem released the film in October 1912 to critical acclaim. It saw a re-release in February 1919 following Vitagraph Studios' acquisition of Kalem. [2]

Cast

Production background

Herbert Reynolds has shown [3] how Olcott used James Tissot's illustrations for his The Life of our Saviour Jesus Christ (1896-1897) [4] as the basis for numerous shots in the film. The head of Kalem, Frank J. Marion, presented a copy to the troupe as they departed for the Middle East. [3]

According to Turner Classic Movies, the film cost $35,000 to produce (roughly between $799,897 [5] and $1.11 million [6] adjusted to 2023 dollars); another source [7] says that Olcott spent $100,000 of his own money on the project. Although the film's profits eventually amounted to almost $1 million (roughly $22.9 million [5] to $31.6 million [6] ), the Kalem directors refused to increase Olcott's basic salary, and he resigned.

In later years, Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, would say this was the premiere film for his movie theater in Haverhill, Massachusetts and a major boost for him in the movie business. [8] However, most sources place the release date of this film as 1912, long after the opening of Mayer's theater. [9]

At around 5,000 feet it was one of the longest films to be released to date, [7] [10] [11] although the Kinemacolor documentary With Our King and Queen Through India released in February 1912 ran to 16,000 feet; [12] and another religious film The Miracle (the first full-colour feature film) - was released in the UK at 7,000 feet in December 1912. [13]

Reception in Britain

The five-reel film showed at the Queen's Hall, London, for eight months (a relatively lengthy run for the time). [7] A statement by Israel Zangwill (founder of the Jewish Territorialist Organization) hailing it as "An artistic triumph — the kinema put to its true end" appeared on advertising bills outside the Queen's Hall. [14]

From the Manger to the Cross gained considerable publicity from an outcry in the Daily Mail : "Is nothing sacred to the film maker?" it demanded, and waxed indignant about the profits for its American investors. [7] Although the clergy were invited and found little to be affronted by, the controversy resulted in the voluntary creation of the British Board of Film Censors, which began operating on 1 January 1913. [15] [16]

Rediscovery

The film disappeared from cinema screens for a number of years until Reverend Brian Hession, vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Walton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, went on a quest to the US to find a copy of the film for re-issue in Britain. Although initially disappointed, he eventually discovered a set of negatives after searching in the vaults and cellars of old film concerns. [17] Hession added a musical sound track and spoken commentary, and From the Manger to the Cross was re-released in 1938. [18]

Critical reception

TCM host Robert Osborne and the National Film Preservation Foundation consider this film to be the most important silent film to deal with the life of Christ. In 1998, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. [19] [20]

A history of cinemas and film-making published in 1947 had this to say: "To-day it appears to be somewhat overacted, and the camera work is stilted, the camera being merely a recording instrument and not part of the pattern of the exposition of the story itself. Its pace is slow by modern standards, doubtless an attempt to obtain dignity, and Bland's performance is so sedately remote as to be not so much an acting performance at all but a series of dignified poses." [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidney Olcott</span> Canadian filmmaker (1873–1949)

Sidney Olcott was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Gauntier</span> American novelist

Gene Gauntier was an American screenwriter and actress who was one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry. A writer, director, and actress in films from mid 1906 to 1920, she wrote screenplays for 42 films. She performed in 87 films and is credited as the director of The Grandmother (1909).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalem Company</span>

The Kalem Company was an early American film studio founded in New York City in 1907. It was one of the first companies to make films abroad and to set up winter production facilities, first in Florida and then in California. Kalem was sold to Vitagraph Studios in 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George K. Hollister</span> American cinematographer and actor (1873-1952)

George K. Hollister was an American pioneer cinematographer.

<i>The Lad from Old Ireland</i> 1910 film

The Lad from Old Ireland, also called A Lad from Old Ireland, is a one-reel 1910 American motion picture directed by and starring Sidney Olcott and written by and co-starring Gene Gauntier. It was the first film appearance of prolific actor/director J.P. McGowan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Hollister</span> American actress (1886–1973)

Alice Hollister was an American silent film actress who appeared in around 90 films between 1910 and 1925. She is known for her roles in movies such as From the Manger to the Cross and The Vampire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack J. Clark</span> American film director

Jack J. Clark was an American director and actor of the early motion picture industry.

<i>The ONeill</i> 1912 American film

The O'Neill is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>The Vagabonds</i> (1912 film) 1912 American film

The Vagabonds is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>You Remember Ellen</i> 1912 American film

You Remember Ellen is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. It was one of more than a dozen films produced by the Kalem Company filmed in Ireland for American audiences.

<i>The Mayor From Ireland</i> 1912 American film

The Mayor From Ireland is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and J.P. McGowan in the leading roles.

<i>The Shaughraun</i> (film) 1912 American film

The Shaughraun is a 1912 American silent film produced by the Kalem Company and distributed by the General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier, Alice Hollister and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>The Wives of Jamestown</i> 1913 American film

The Wives of Jamestown is a 1913 American silent film produced by the Kalem Company and distributed by the General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Helen Lindroth and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>A Prisoner of the Harem</i> 1912 American film

A Prisoner of the Harem is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>Missionaries in Darkest Africa</i> 1912 American film

Missionaries in Darkest Africa is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Robert Vignola in the leading roles.

<i>Captured by Bedouins</i> 1912 American film

Captured by Bedouins is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

<i>Winning a Widow</i> 1912 American film

Winning a Widow is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

Driving Home the Cows is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Alice Hollister and Leo Berger. The film was shot in Jacksonville.

The Perversity of Fate is an American silent film, produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and James Vincent in the leading role.

<i>Down Through the Ages</i> 1912 American film

Down Through the Ages is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Wood 1947, pp. 163–6.
  2. ↑ "From the Manger to the Cross at SilentEra". Archived from the original on 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  3. 1 2 Reynolds, Herbert (1992). "From the Palette to the Screen: The Tissot Bible as sourcebook for From the Manger to the Cross". In Cosandey, Roland; Gaudreault, André; Gunning, Tom (eds.). Invention of the devil?. Saint-Foy: Presses Université Laval. ISBN   9782763773001.
  4. ↑ Tissot, James (1899). The Life of our Saviour Jesus Christ. (4 vols). Toronto: G.N. Morang & Co.  Vol. 1 · Vol. 2 · Vol. 3 · Vol. 4
  5. 1 2 Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  6. 1 2 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Wood 1947, p. 167.
  8. ↑ "Mr. Motion Picture", Time magazine obituary (November 11, 1957)
  9. ↑ From the Manger to the Cross at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  10. ↑ Kevin Brownlow, 'Silent Films: What Was the Right Speed?' Sight and Sound, Summer 1980, pp. 164-167.
  11. ↑ James Card, 'Silent Film Speed' Image, October 1955, pp. 55-56.
  12. ↑ McKernan, Luke (2009). 'The modern Elixir of Life: Kinemacolor, royalty and the Delhi Durbar' Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine , in Film History, Vol. 21, pp. 122–136, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Film show in Covent Garden". New York Times, 9 December 1912
  14. ↑ Wood 1947, pp. 167–8.
  15. ↑ Wood 1947, p. 168.
  16. ↑ Conrich, Ian (October 2003). "Film Classification and the BBFC". BBC. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  17. ↑ Wood 1947, pp. 166–7.
  18. ↑ From the Manger to the Cross (1912). BFI. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  20. ↑ "Hooray for Hollywood (December 1998) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin". www.loc.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
Sources

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.