No. 16 Martin Street

Last updated

No. 16 Martin Street
No16MartinStreetMovie Ad 01.png
Newspaper Ad
Directed by Lloyd B. Carleton
Written by Bess Meredyth
Screenplay by Bess Meredyth
Produced by Lloyd B. Carleton
Starring
Distributed by Universal
Release date
  • July 13, 1916 (1916-July-13)
Running time
15–24 minutes (2 reels)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish intertitles

No. 16 Martin Street was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film was based on the detective story and screen adaptation by Bess Meredyth. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and an all-star cast of Universal contract players.

Contents

This story tells how a distinguished criminologist with the cooperation of a cabaret singer investigates a local homicide. In true detective style, the pair develops a series of planned undertakings attempting to snare the dope addicts and unravel the murder motive. The moviegoer sees first-hand the threat posed by the Dope evil. The partners find the critical evidence and solve the murder mystery. After solving the crime, the criminologist, along with the cabaret singer, becomes a crime-fighting unit.

Universal released the film on July 13, 1916. [1]

Plot

Cleo auditions at club Cleo joins cabaret 16 Martin Street.png
Cleo auditions at club

Cleo hopes to pursue a career in music. Attending the music conservatory has proved costly, and soon the expenses overwhelmed her. No longer able to afford her musical education, she drops out of school and returns home. Looking for a job, she reads a job advertisement for singers at the Follies Cabaret. She interviews for the job, and the show's manager hires her.

Jacques Fournier is one of the foremost criminologists [lower-alpha 1] in the country. One day while researching a case, his office door flies open, and a man named Browne rushes into the office. He tells Fournier he has discovered his wife's dead body in their home. He pleads with Fournier to investigate this murder. Fournier agrees, and he accompanies the man to his home.

Mrs. Browne is dead 16 Martin Street Movie still.png
Mrs. Browne is dead

They enter the house and find Browne's wife lying dead on the floor. Browne points out all of her valuable jewels are missing. Upon further investigation, Fournier determines a spiess gun [lower-alpha 2] was used to murder Mrs. Browne. He assures Browne he will investigate the matter and returns to his office. After checking his records, he learns Brown is a cocaine addict. [lower-alpha 3] He also determines Mr. Browne, and a woman named Audrey Devine share a mysterious link. Audrey is a singer at the Follies Cabaret. Fournier decides he will talk to Devine and see if she can shed any light on the murder.

Between acts, they expected the cabaret performers to share drinks with the paying customers. Fournier enters the Follies Cabaret and sits down. He notices a patron is harassing one of the young performers. He strides over and rescues the girl from the man's advances. She thanks him profusely and tells him her name is Cleo. Cleo pours out her heart to Fournier, including why she had to abandon her studies at the conservatory. Fournier tells her she can earn some extra cash by assisting him with an investigation. Cleo readily agrees. He asks her if she knows Audrey Devine. Cleo tells Fournier she has seen her in the dressing room and knows Audrey is hooked on cocaine. Fournier thinks there might be a link between Browne and Audrey because of their mutual cocaine addiction. He asks Cleo to imitate a dope addict and to ask Audrey where she gets her dope.

Cleo helping Fournier Cleo helping Fournier 16MartinStreet.png
Cleo helping Fournier

The bell sounds, and Cleo returns to the stage for her second show. After the show's conclusion, she finds Audrey sitting alone. Cleo pretends she is desperate to get some cocaine. She asks Audrey if she knows anywhere she can get some coke. Audrey says she knows someone and calls Max the piano player. When they visit Max, he gives Cleo a deck of coke. [lower-alpha 4] Cleo later informs Fournier that Max is Audrey's drug source. Fournier devises a plan to determine Max's supplier. After working out the details, he leaves a note for Cleo. The note instructs her to make advances toward Max and persuades him to escort her to his home. While they are heading towards Max's home, Fournier will impersonate a crook and try to rob them. During the mugging, Fournier will force Max to identify his drug supplier. She follows his instructions to the letter, but a fight breaks out during the fake robbery attempt. Max escapes but leaves his coat on the ground. Fournier scrutinizes the coat and finds cocaine decks and a note addressed to "16 Martin Street."

Audrey arrives at a home on 16 Martin Street. She walks inside and greets Max and Joe. Joe turns out to be another cocaine addict. Both men are preparing decks of cocaine. Then Audrey goes through a secret panel and delivers some cocaine decks to someone waiting outside. Once finished with her work, she gets ready to leave.

On the same morning, Cleo, in disguise, heads out to 16 Martin Street. Cleo reaches the address, just as Audrey is just leaving, but Audrey does not recognize the disguised Cleo. When Cleo enters the room, she finds the room deserted.

Fournier has left her a powerful fake narcotic and skeleton key. He has instructed her to replace the fake narcotic for the cocaine. Since no one is around, she starts swapping the narcotic for the real dope. Completing her mission, she looks around the room. She discovers the secret panel and is about to investigate further when Joe returns. Cleo tells Joe she found they had left the panel door open, and she was merely peeking in. Cleo exits the house and goes home to preparations for her show that evening.

Night comes, and Fournier waits at the police station to see what Cleo has uncovered. While Fournier waits for Cleo, plainclothes men are watching 16 Martin Street. The plain cloth men observe Audrey and Max enter the house. After finishing her last show, Cleo goes directly to the police station. She meets Fournier and tells him everything she has discovered. They decide to head to 16 Martin Street immediately. Once they arrive, they surround the house, and Cleo leads them to the front door. They break down the door and find Max and Joe high on cocaine. The police arrest the two, then Cleo shows them the secret panel. After breaking into the private room, they find Audrey and Browne locked in an embrace. After a brief struggle, the police take Browne into custody. Cleo helps Fournier search the rest of the premises.

Cleo finds some loose boards on the floor, and after prying the boards, finds the weapon used to kill Mrs. Browne. Lying alongside the weapon are the dead woman's missing jewels. Fournier confronts Browne with the gun and missing gems. Seeing his story falling apart, Brown confesses to the murder of his wife. As a reward for her outstanding work in the field, Cleo becomes Fournier's associate.

Cast

ActorRole
Dorothy Davenport Cleo
Emory Johnson Jacques Fournier
Gretchen Lederer Audrey Devine
Alfred Allen Mr. Browne
Jack AbbotMax

Production

Pre-production

Carl Laemmle in 1918.jpg
Carl Laemmle in 1918.jpg
Carl Laemmle in 1918
Universal Pictures logo 1915.jpg

{{{annotations}}}

Universal Pictures logo 1915.jpg
Universal Logo 1915

In the book, "American Cinema's Transitional Era," the authors point out, The years between 1908 and 1917 witnessed what may have been the most significant transformation in American film history. During this "transitional era", widespread changes affected film form and film genres, filmmaking practices and industry structure, exhibition sites, and audience demographics. [5] One aspect of this transition was the longer duration of films. Feature films [lower-alpha 5] were slowly becoming the standard fare for Hollywood producers. Before 1913, you could count the yearly features on two hands. [8] Between 1915 and 1916, the number of feature movies rose 2+12 times or from 342 films to 835. [8] There was a recurring claim that Carl Laemmle was the longest-running studio chief resisting the production of feature films. [9] Universal was not ready to downsize its short film business because short films were cheaper, faster, and more profitable to produce than feature films. [lower-alpha 6]

Laemmle would continue to buck this trend while slowly increasing his output of features. In 1914, Laemmle published an essay titled - Doom of long Features Predicted. [11] In 1916, Laemmle ran an advertisement extolling Bluebird films while adding the following vocabulary on the top of the ad. [lower-alpha 7] Universal made 91 feature films in 1916, including 44 Bluebirds and 47 Red Feather productions. [13]

Development

The Dope Evil - July 14, 1913

The cocainist is much worse than the user of morphine because cocaine produces a kind of dementia which is expressed in a persecutional or suicidal mania. Cocaine leads to crime because:

  1. cocaine is expensive
  2. produces maniacal conditions in which homicide may be perpetrated
  3. causes loss of moral and social sense

Pamphlet published by the State of Maryland, [14]

If Bess Meredyth needed inspiration for this movie's storyline, she needed to look no further than the pamphlet quoted in the box. The "Dope" evil was a scourge sweeping Hollywood and the country in 1916. Drug use and debauchery would peak in Hollywood in the 1920s. Hollywood made hundreds of films based on drug use and their associated crimes. The reader will notice this movie covered the pamphlet's cocaine warnings of "homicide" and "loss of moral and social sense."

Casting

All players in this film were under contract with Universal.

  • Dorothy Davenport (1895-1977) was an established star for Universal when the 21 year-old actress played Cleo. She had acted in hundreds of movies by the time she starred in this film. The majority of these films were 2-reel shorts, as was the norm in Hollywood's teen years. She had been making movies since 1910. She started dating Wally Reid when she was barely 16, and he was 20. They married in 1913. After her husband died in 1923, she used the name "Mrs. Wallace Reid" in the credits for any project she took part in. [15] Besides being an actress, she would eventually become a film director, producer, and writer. [16] [lower-alpha 8]
  • Emory Johnson (1894-1960) was 22 years old when he starred in this movie as Jacques Fournier. Carl Laemmle of Universal Film Manufacturing Company thought he saw great potential in Johnson, so he chooses him to be Universal's new leading man. Laemmle's hope was Johnson would become another Wallace Reed. A major part of his plan was to create a movie couple that would sizzle on the silver screen. Laemmle thought Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson could create the chemistry he sought. Johnson and Davenport would complete 13 films together. They started with the successful feature production of Doctor Neighbor in May 1916 and ended with The Devil's Bondwoman in November 1916. After completing the last movie, Laemmle thought Johnson did not have the screen presence he wanted. He decided not to renew his contract. [17] [16] Johnson would make 17 movies in 1916, including 6 shorts and 11 feature-length Dramas. 1916 would become the second-highest movie output of his entire acting career. Emory acted in 25 films for Universal, mostly dramas with a sprinkling of comedies and westerns.
  • Gretchen Lederer (1891-1955) was a 25 year-old actress when she landed this role as Audrey Devine. Lederer was a German actress getting her first start in 1912 with Carl Laemmle. At the time of this film, she was still a Universal contract actress. She had previously acted in two Bosworth-Johnson projects preceding this movie - The Yaqui and Two Men of Sandy Bar. She would unite with Emory Johnson in the 1916 productions of A Yoke of Gold and The Morals of Hilda.
  • Alfred Allen (1866-1947) was 50 years old when he played Brown. He got his start in the film industry at Universal city in 1913. He landed his first role in 1915. His roles were character parts, and he played mostly fathers, villains, or ranch owners. Alfred Allen appeared in 69 features from 1916 through 1929. After making Heartaches, he would appear in four more Davenport-Johnson projects: A Yoke of Gold, The Unattainable, The Human Gamble and Barriers of Society. [18]
  • Jack Abbot (1886-1964) was 29 years old when he played Max. Jack was an actor, eventually becoming a writer and assistant director. The bulk of his roles during his acting career were in short subjects. He spent all of 1916 under contract with Universal. This role was his only known associateship with Lloyd B. Carleton production in 1916. [19]

Director

Director
Lloyd B. Carleton Lloyd B Carelton 01.png

Lloyd B. Carleton (c.1872–1933) started working for Carl Laemmle in the Fall of 1915. [20] Carleton arrived with impeccable credentials, having directed some 60 films for the likes of Thanhouser, Lubin, Fox, and Selig. [21]

Between March and December 1916, 44-year-old Lloyd Carleton directed 16 movies for Universal, starting with The Yaqui and ending with The Morals of Hilda. Emory Johnson acted in all 16 of these films. Of Carleton's total 1916 output, 11 were feature films, and the rest were two-reel shorts.

Carleton was given the task by Carl Laemmle to determine if the Davenport-Johnson duo had the desired on-screen chemistry. In 1916, Carleton directed 13 films pairing Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson. This film would be the seventh in the 13-film series

Comedy and tragedy masks without background.svg              The Davenport–Johnson searching for chemistry in 1916             
Title
Released
Director
Davenport role
Johnson role
Type
Time
LOC
Brand
Notes
Doctor Neighbor May-1L. B. CarletonHazel RogersHamilton PowersDramaFeatureLostRed Feather [22]
Her Husband's Faith May-11L. B. CarletonMabel OttoRichard OttoDramaShortLostLaemmle [23]
Heartaches May-18L. B. CarletonVirginia PayneS Jackson HuntDramaShortLostLaemmle [24]
Two Mothers Jun-01L. B. CarletonVioletta Andree2nd HusbandDramaShortLostLaemmle [25]
Her Soul's Song Jun-15L. B. CarletonMary SalsburyPaul ChandosDramaShortLostLaemmle [26]
The Way of the World Jul-03L. B. CarletonBeatrice FarleyWalter CroydenDramaFeatureLostRed Feather [27]
No. 16 Martin StreetJul-13L. B. CarletonCleoJacques FournierDramaShortLostLaemmle [28]
A Yoke of Gold Aug-14L. B. CarletonCarmenJose GarciaDramaFeatureLostRed Feather [29]
The Unattainable Sep-04L. B. CarletonBessie GaleRobert GoodmanDramaFeature1 of 5 reelsBluebird [30]
Black Friday Sep-18L. B. CarletonElionor RossitorCharles DaltonDramaFeatureLostRed Feather [31]
The Human Gamble Oct-08L. B. CarletonFlavia HillCharles HillDramaShortLostLaemmle [32]
Barriers of Society Oct-10L. B. CarletonMartha GorhamWestie PhillipsDramaFeature1 of 5 reelsRed Feather [33]
The Devil's Bondwoman Nov-11L. B. CarletonBeverly HopeMason Van HortonDramaFeatureLostRed Feather [34]

Screenplay

Screenwriter
Bess Meredyth Bessmeredyth2.jpg
Screenwriter
Bess Meredyth

Bess Meredyth (1890-1969) was 26 years old when she created the screenplay for this film. She would become one of the most successful women screenwriters of her time. She began as a short story writer for various newspapers, then became an extra at D.W. Griffith's Biograph Studios in New York. She moved to Los Angeles in 1911. Meredyth worked as an actress, subsidizing her income with screenwriting. She wrote stories or screenplays for 24 movies in 1916. Between 1914 and 1920, she wrote two hundred original stories while she worked at Universal. It should also be noted; she was one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [35]

Filming

On March 15, 1915, [36] Laemmle opened the world's largest motion picture production facility, Universal City Studios. [37] Since this film required no location shooting, it was filmed in its entirety at the new studio complex.

Working title

When films enter production, they need the means to reference the project. A Working title is assigned to the project. A Working Title can also be named an Alternate title. In many cases, a working title will become the release title.
Working titles are used primarily for two reasons:

  • An official title for the project has not been determined
  • A non-descript title to mask the real reason for making the movie.

The official copyrighted title of this photoplay is No. 16 Martin Street. [38]

There is no known reference of the working title for this film. There are newspapers and magazine listings of:

  • Number 16 Martin Place [39]
  • No. 16 Martin Place [40]
  • 16 Martin Street [41]

Post production

1916 Universal Ad the future of short films The Universal Program 02.png
1916 Universal Ad the future of short films

Based on an American Film Institute standard, films with a running time of forty minutes or longer are considered feature films. [42]

By 1915, feature films were starting to become more the trend in Hollywood. While advertising this film, a Universal ad is shown in the graphic, also expounds on short films. [lower-alpha 9]

Music

As part of Universal's in-house publication The Moving Picture Weekly, a section was devoted to proposing musical selections for specific movies. The musical selections were "Specially Selected and Compiled by M. Winkler." The music recommended for this film were: [43]

LAEMMLE— "No. 16 Martin Street"....(Two Reels)
REEL I.
1. "Esperanza," by Johnstone, until scene, "Newspaper clipping.
2. "Melody," by Friml, until the cabaret scene.
3. "Oh, My Love," by Monaco, until scene, "Stage entrance."
4. "InCupid'sNet," Armand.
REEL II.
5. Continue "In Cupid's Net" until "Closing time."
6. "Dream Shadows," by Langey, to action, pp. or ff., until scene, "No. 16 Martin Street."
7. "Agitato, No. 6," by Lake, pp. until the end.

Release and reception

Official release

The copyright was filed with U.S. Copyright Office on July 3, 1916 [38] and entered into the record as shown: [lower-alpha 10] and officially released on July 13, 1916. [1]

Advertising

In Universal's trade journal magazine, The Moving Picture Weekly a new advertising section was started titled - PUTTING IT OVER. The section heading reads as follows:

Are you "Putting 'em Over," friend Exhibitor? Are you taking advantage of this new department of advertising suggestions and making a noise in your town that echoes in the tinkle of coins at the box office?

Advertisement illustration in The Moving Picture Weekly Help Advertising 16 Martin Street.png
Advertisement illustration in The Moving Picture Weekly

The July 1, 1916 issue of The Moving Picture Weekly had the following advertising suggestions for 16 Martin Street:

"A detective story that immediately suggests a Sherlock Holmes make-up as illustrated. Get a man dressed in a long and loud Ulster coat or Mackintosh, with a long mustache, a fore-and-aft cap, a big pipe, and a placard on his back with the name of the photoplay as shown. On his breast, let him show a placard with your theatre name and date. People will see that first as they meet him, and they will turn to rubber, getting a flash at the title then." [41]

In 1916, short films were shown in conjunction with other short films to create a "diversified program" and were typically advertised only with a short synopsis. The newspaper ad displayed in the film's infobox shows No. 16 Martin Street playing with two other films. The details of the other two films are:

Reviews

Lengthy detailed reviews for short films were not commonplace in 1916. The trade journals devoted lengthy critical reviews, and detailed plot outlines to feature films while giving short films abbreviated summaries and reviews. Unlike other short movies, No. 16 Martin Street was favored with several long film reviews. Critical reaction to the film seemed mostly favorable, as seen below.

In the July 15, 1916 issue of the Moving Picture News, quoted from the Tabloid Reviews for the Busy Exhibitor: [1]

"Detective pictures, much on the order of detective stories, are either good or bad - there is no between. No. 16 Martin Street is good. It holds the attention every minute, which is the best thing that can be said of it."

In the July 15, 1916 issue of The Moving Picture World, quoted from the section - Comments on the Films - Exclusively by our own Staff: [46]

"Dorothy Davenport does pleasing work as the girl who aids the detective. The story deals with sordid types but is well handled and makes altogether quite a strong offering."

In the July 8, 1916 issue of The Moving Picture Weekly, a review published in the Universal weekly film periodical states: [47]

"NO. 16 MARTIN ST. combines two significant phases of modern life; one is the rise of the science of criminology, and the other the prevalence of a new vice, the "dope" evil. In this picture, the "movie fan" is given a treat that has long been known to the readers of A. Conan Doyle and Craig Kennedy. In addition, the cover of metropolitan life is ripped off, and the seamy side is laid bare. A drama of vice and crime and their detection."

Preservation status

Many silent-era films did not survive for reasons as explained on this Wikipedia page. [lower-alpha 11]

According to the Library of Congress, all known copies of this film are lost.

Notes

  1. "Criminologists
    are the people working and researching all of the ins and outs of criminology. Criminologists often look for behavioral patterns of a possible criminal in hopes of finding a particular perpetrator. They also conduct research and investigations, developing theories, and composing results, and more often than not solve crimes." quoted from Criminology
  2. Adam W. Spies was a dealer in New York City, NY, in the mid-19th century. This gun reference probably refers to a distinctive percussion cap lock engraved with "A.W. Spies." These large-bore black powder weapons shot lead balls ranging from 52 to 57 caliber. A hunting rifle or pistol could use the Spies percussion lock. The bullet hole made with this weapon would leave a very distinctive entry wound in the human torso. The first clue is an easily identifiable big-bore gunshot wound. [2]
  3. Cocaine Addict
    In 1916, the term "Cocaine Fiend" was quite fashionable. The term was used in all the trade journal reviews of this film. Using "Cocaine addict" as a replacement phase seems a little less harsh to readers. [3]
  4. Deck
    A "deck of cocaine" commonly refers to a single-dose packet, bag, or glassine envelope, of the drug. [4]
  5. A "feature film" or "feature-length film" is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. A film can be distributed as a feature film if it equals or exceeds a specified minimum running time and satisfies other defined criteria. The minimum time depends on the governing agency. The American Film Institute [6] and the British Film Institute [7] require films to have a minimum running time of forty minutes or longer. Other film agencies, e.g.,Screen Actors Guild, require a film's running time to be 60 minutes or greater. Currently, most feature films are between 70 and 210 minutes long.
  6. " Short Film" - There are no defined parameters for a Short film except for one immutable rule -the film's maximum running time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits". [10]
  7. The moving picture business is here to stay. That you must admit, despite carping critics and blundering sore-heads, true, some exhibitors have found business so good lately — but if you get down to facts when you look for a reason why, it's a 100 to 1 shot that they are, and for some time have been, dallying with a feature program. Some of these wise ones will tell you that business has picked up since they went into features, — BUT — ask them whether they are talking NET or GROSS. They will find they have an immediate appointment and terminate your queries unceremoniously. Funny how we like to kid ourselves, isn't it? The man who is packing 'em in and losing money on features is envied by his competitor, who is laying by a bit every day, and has a good steady, dependable patronage but admits to a few vacant seats at some performances. When this chap wakes up, he will realize that he has a gold mine and that good advertising will make it produce to capacity. The moral is that if you can tie up to the Universal Program, DO IT. If you can't NOW, watch your first chance. Let the people know what you have, and let the feature man go on to ruin if he wants to. You should worry!
    Motion Picture News - May 6, 1916 [12]
  8. Dorothy and Drugs
    Unbeknown to Dorothy Davenport at the time, she would gain first-hand experience with the Dope evil three years after completing this film. Dorothy was still married to Wallace Reid in 1919 when he was injured in a train wreck while filming a movie. Reid needed six stitches to close a 3-inch scalp wound. To keep on filming, he was prescribed morphine to relieve his pain. Reid eventually became addicted to the drug but kept on working. Reid's morphine addiction worsened at a time when there was no type of drug rehabilitation programs. In 1923, he died in a sanatorium. Later in 1923, Dorothy Davenport co-produced and starred in the film Human Wreckage, which portrayed the dangers of drug addiction. Mrs. Wallace Reid would continue to tour the country, talking about the evils of dope addiction. quoted from Wallace Reid
  9. The moving picture business is here to stay. That you must admit despite carping critics and blundering sore-heads. True, some exhibitors have found business so good lately — but if you get down to facts when you look for the reason why, it's a 100 to 1 shot that they are, and for some time have been, dallying with a feature program. Some of these wise ones will tell you that business has picked up since they went into features, — BUT — ask them whether they are talking NET or GROSS. They will find they have an immediate appointment and terminate your queries unceremoniously. Funny how we like to kid ourselves, isn't it? The man who is packing 'em in and losing money on features is envied by his competitor, who is laying by a bit every day, and has a good steady, dependable patronage but admits to a few vacant seats at some performances. When this chap wakes up, he will realize that he has a gold mine and that good advertising will make it produce to capacity. The moral is that if you can tie up to the Universal Program, DO IT. If you can't NOW, watch your first chance. Let the people know what you have, and let the feature man go on to ruin if he wants to. You should worry! [12]
  10. The copyright was filed with U.S. Copyright Office and entered into the record as shown:
    NO. 16 MARTIN STREET. Laemmle. 1916.
    2 reels.
    Credits: Bess Meredyth; producer, Lloyd
    B. Carleton.
    (c)Universal Film Mfg. Co., Inc.; 3Jul16;
    LP8634
  11. Film is history. With every foot of film lost, we lose a link to our culture, the world around us, each other, and ourselves.Martin Scorsese, filmmaker, director NFPF Board [48]
    A report by Library of Congress film historian and archivist David Pierce estimates that:
    • around 75% of original silent-era films have perished;
    • only 14% of the 10,919 silent films released by major studios exist in their original 35 mm or other formats;
    • 11% survive only in full-length foreign versions or film formats of lesser image quality. [49] [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agnes Vernon</span> American silent film actress

Agnes Vernon was an American film actress of the silent era. While still in her teens, she experienced a meteoric ascent from obscurity to box-office sensation. After turning twenty-three and a movie career fading away, she abandoned the silver screen forever. Vernon performed in over 90 films between 1913 and 1922. She completed most of her roles under contract with Universal Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John K. Wells</span> American director, producer, and writer

John K. Wells was an American actor, director, producer, and writer of the Silent film era. Wells was a 29-year old actor who earned his first credited role in the 1915 Universal short film — The Queen of Hearts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emory Johnson</span> American actor, director, producer, and writer

Alfred Emory Johnson was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. As a teenager, he started acting in silent films. Early in his career, Carl Laemmle chose Emory to become a Universal Studio leading man. He also became part of one of the early Hollywood celebrity marriages when he wed Ella Hall.

<i>The Right to Be Happy</i> 1916 film

The Right to Be Happy is an American silent film from 1916 that draws inspiration from Charles Dickens' 1843 Novella, A Christmas Carol. This film was Universal's first attempt at making a Feature film based on Dickens' novella. Throughout the silent era, it stood as the first and only feature film adaptation of A Christmas Carol by an American or foreign film company. The movie was directed by Rupert Julian and supported by a cast of Universal Bluebird players, including Rupert Julian, Claire McDowell, and Harry Carter.

<i>The Morals of Hilda</i> 1916 silent drama film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Morals of Hilda is a 1916 American silent film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The melodrama is based on the story of Henry Christeen Warnack and features Gretchen Lederer, Lois Wilson and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Devils Bondwoman</i> 1916 film by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Devil's Bondwoman is a 1916 American silent Melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film was based on the story by F. McGrew Willis and scenarized by Maie B. Havey and Fred Myton. The movie features Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson and employed the same cast seen in other Red Feather films, e.g., Barriers of Society, Black Friday.

<i>Barriers of Society</i> 1916 American silent drama film

Barriers of Society is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. Universal based the film on the story written by Clarke Irvine and adapted for the screen by Fred Myton. The feature film stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and an all-star cast of Universal contract players.

<i>A Yoke of Gold</i> 1916 film directed by Lloyd Carleton

A Yoke of Gold is a 1916 American silent black and white melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton and starring Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson. Based on an original story by Rob Wagner, it is a period piece set in the early days of the California missions.

<i>Doctor Neighbor</i> 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Doctor Neighbor is a 1916 American silent feature film black and white melodrama. The film was directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. It stars Hobart Bosworth and pairs Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson in leading roles.

<i>The Yaqui</i> The Yaqui is a 1916 melodrama movie directed by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Yaqui is a 1916 American silent Black and white Melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton and starring Hobart Bosworth, Gretchen Lederer and Emory Johnson. The film depicts Yaqui Indians entrapped by nefarious elements into enslavement for a wealthy plantation owner. They struggle in captivity, eventually rebelling against their owner's oppression.

<i>Two Men of Sandy Bar</i> 1916 western movie directed by Lloyd B. Carleton

Two Men of Sandy Bar is a 1916 American silent Western Melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton and starring Hobart Bosworth, Gretchen Lederer along with Emory Johnson.

Maie B. Havey, born Marie Judge, was an American screenwriter active during the earliest years of Hollywood. During her decade in the industry, she is credited with 70 screenplays.

<i>Her Husbands Faith</i> 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Her Husband's Faith is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by Paul Machette. Eugene De Rue developed the screenplay. This domestic society drama's features Dorothy Davenport, T. D. Crittenden and Emory Johnson.

<i>Heartaches</i> (1916 film) 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Heartaches is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by Grant Carpenter. This drama's features Dorothy Davenport, Alfred Allen, and Emory Johnson.

<i>Two Mothers</i> (1916 film) 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Two Mothers is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by I.A.R. Wylie. Calder Johnstone developed the adaptation for the screen. The drama's features Dorothy Davenport, Alfred Allen and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Unattainable</i> 1916 drama film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Unattainable is a 1916 American Black and White silent drama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story by Elwood D. Henning. The photoplay stars Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Way of the World</i> (1916 film) 1916 film by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Way of the World is a 1916 American silent Feature film. The film was directed by Lloyd B. Carleton, while F. McGrew Willis adapted the screenplay from Clyde Fitch's play. The cast of this drama includes Hobart Bosworth, Dorothy Davenport, and Emory Johnson.

<i>Black Friday</i> (1916 film) Lost 1916 film directed by Lloyd Carleton

Black Friday was a 1916 American silent Feature film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. Universal based the film on the novel written by Frederic S. Isham and adapted for the screen by Eugenie Magnus Ingleton. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and a cast of Universal contract players.

<i>Her Souls Song</i> 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Her Soul's Song is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by Betty Schade. Calder Johnstone developed the screenplay. This drama's features Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Human Gamble</i> 1916 movie directed by Lloyd Carleton

The Human Gamble was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story and screen adaptation by Calder Johnstone. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and a cast of Universal contract players.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tabloid Reviews for the Busy Exhibitor - PRODUCTIONS FROM AIX PROGRAMS". Motion Picture News. Motion Picture News, inc. July 15, 1916. p. 282. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  2. Carey 1953, p. 16.
  3. "LAEMMLE - No. 16 Martin Place". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. July 15, 1916. p. 583. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  4. McClure's Magazine 1917, p. 62.
  5. Keil & Stamp 2004, p. 1.
  6. "AFI-FAQ". afi.com. American Film Institute . Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  7. "FAQ". bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute . Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Keil & Stamp 2004, p. 80.
  9. Brouwers, Anke (July 4, 2015). "Only Whoop Dee Do Songs. Bluebird Photoplays Light(en) Up the Cinema Ritrovato — Photogénie". Cinea. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  10. "Rule Nineteen: Short Film's Awards". AMPAS . Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  11. "Doom of long Features Predicted". Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. July 11, 1914. p. 185. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2023. written by Carl Laemmle
  12. 1 2 "The Universal Program". Motion Picture News. Motion Picture News, inc. May 6, 1916. p. 2704. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  13. Hirschhorn 1983, pp. 20–23.
  14. "THE DOPE EVIL" (PDF). archives.lib.state.ma.us. THE NEW ENGLAND WATCH AND WARD SOCIETY. July 14, 1913. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  15. "Dorothy Davenport". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . American Film Institute . Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Fleming 2010.
  17. "Plays and Players". Exhibitors Herald. Chicago, Exhibitors Herald. June 1, 1918. p. 1050.
  18. Katchmer 2015, pp. 4–5.
  19. Jack Abbot at IMDb
  20. "CARLETON, Lloyd B." www.thanhouser.org. Thanhouser Company Film Preservation. March 1994. Retrieved February 19, 2021. Thanhouser Company, Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History Version 2.1 by Q. David Bowers,Volume III: Biographies
  21. Wikipedia Lloyd Carleton page
  22. Braff 1999, p. 120.
  23. Braff 1999, p. 213.
  24. Braff 1999, p. 206.
  25. Braff 1999, p. 518.
  26. Braff 1999, p. 215.
  27. The Way of the World at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  28. Braff 1999, p. 349.
  29. A Yoke of Gold at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  30. The Unattainable at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  31. Black Friday at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  32. Braff 1999, p. 238.
  33. Barriers of Society at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  34. The Devilsbond Woman at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  35. Bess Meredyth as profiled in the Women Film Pioneers Project
  36. Hirschhorn 1983, p. 8.
  37. "Universal Studios Lot | Universal Studios". Universal Studios Lot. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  38. 1 2 "Catalog of Copyright Entries Cumulative Series Motion Pictures 1912 - 1939". Internet Archive. Copyright Office * Library of Congress. 1951. p. 611. Retrieved May 3, 2021. Motion Pictures, 1912-1939, is a cumulative catalog listing works registered in the Copyright Office in Classes L and M between August 24, 1912 and December 31, 1939
  39. Number 16 Martin Place at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  40. "Brief Stories of the Week's Film Releases". MOTOGRAPHY. Electricity Magazine Corp. July 15, 1916. p. 168. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  41. 1 2 "PUTTING IT OVER". The Moving Picture Weekly. New York, The Moving Picture Weekly. July 1, 1916. p. 199. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  42. "AFI - faq". afi.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020. AFI catalog only list feature films i.e., The AFI Catalog defines a feature film as a motion picture that is forty minutes or longer.
  43. "Music for the Week of July 10, 1916". The Moving Picture Weekly. July 8, 1916. p. 249. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  44. The Belle & the Bell Hop at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  45. A Man's Hardest Fight at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  46. "Comments on the Films - Exclusively by our own Staff". The Moving Picture World. October 14, 1916. p. 540. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  47. "No. 16 Martin St". The Moving Picture Weekly. July 8, 1916. p. 275. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  48. "Preservation Basics". filmpreservation.org. Retrieved December 16, 2020. Movies have documented America for more than one hundred years
  49. Pierce, David. "The Survival of American Silent Films: 1912-1929" (PDF). Library Of Congress. Council on Library and Information Resources and the Library of Congress. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  50. Slide, Anthony (2000). Nitrate Won't Wait: History of Film Preservation in the United States. McFarland. p. 5. ISBN   978-0786408368 . Retrieved November 20, 2021. 75 percent of all American silent films are gone, and 50 percent of all films made before 1950 are lost; such figures, as archivists admit in private, were thought up on the spur of the moment, without statistical information to back them up.

Sources

Further reading

No. 16 Martin Street at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg