The Girl in the Checkered Coat

Last updated

The Girl in the Checkered Coat
The Girl in the Checkered Coat.jpg
Directed by Joe De Grasse
Written by Ida May Park
E. Magnus Ingleton
Produced byBluebird Photoplays
Starring Lon Chaney
Dorothy Phillips
Cinematography King D. Gray
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • April 23, 1917 (1917-04-23)
Running time
5 reels (50 minutes)
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

The Girl in the Checkered Coat (aka The Girl With the Checkered Coat [1] ) is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and starring Lon Chaney, Dorothy Phillips and William Stowell. It was written by Ida May Park, based on the short story by E. Magnus Ingleton. [1] The film today is considered lost. A still exists showing Lon Chaney in the role of Hector Maitland. [2]

Contents

Plot

Two sisters, Mary and Fannie Graham, are forced to live with their criminal father when their kindly mother dies. Mary flees, but Fannie remains with her father and is raised as a thief, changing her name to "Flash" Fan. One day Fan and her accomplice, Jim, steal a purse and she uses the money to buy a checkered coat. She ditches the purse, so when a detective detains her, he has no evidence on which to hold her. Mary, who is working as a shopkeeper, becomes ill and is taken to her tenement home where, coincidentally, Flash Fan also lives. That evening, Flash steals a silk bag from a woman on the street. Fan is chased by a detective to her house, where she slips into Mary's room, finds her unconscious on the floor, and puts the checkered coat by Mary. The detective finds Mary, recognizes the distinctive coat worn by the thief he was pursuing, and arrests the girl.

David Norman, an attorney for the poor, decides to defend Mary, and she is readily found innocent. Mary and David become close friends, and David introduces her to Ann Maitland, a wealthy spinster, who makes Mary her ward. Hector is unnerved by his aunt's affection for Mary, for he fears he may lose the fortune he is expecting to inherit some day. After catching her at some petty thievery, Hector persuades Fan to help him get rid of Mary by framing her for another theft. David exposes Fan as the real thief and turns her over to the police.

Time passes, and the checkered coat has been pawned from one owner to another. Fan, destitute and shivering in the cold, finds the coat in a trash can and places it over her frail shoulders. Mary and David, now happily married, pass by the poor woman on the street and, not recognizing her, place a coin in her trembling hand.

Cast

Reception

"A five-reel drama that can be booked with the assurance that its paper claims are borne out on the screen. Dorothy Phillips is seen to excellent advantage in a dual role--that of two sisters whose moral characteristics are almost exact opposites. The picture is thoroughly worthwhile." ---Moving Picture World

"William Stowell plays the hero, David Norman; Lon Chaney, Hector Maitland, and Mrs. A. E. Witting plays Ann Maitland. Their acting is entirely satisfactory." ---Motography [3]

"In its dramatic substance, it is rather lean... A fine production has been tendered by director Joseph De Grasse." --- Motion Picture News [4]

Related Research Articles

Lon Chaney American actor and makeup expert (1883–1930)

Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney was an American actor, director, screenwriter and makeup artist. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted characters, and his groundbreaking artistry with makeup. Chaney was known for his starring roles in such silent horror films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925). His ability to transform himself using makeup techniques which he developed earned him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Faces".

<i>The Pipes o Pan</i> 1914 film

The Pipes o' Pan is a 1914 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. It is thought the screenplay was written by De Grasse's wife Ida May Park, but she was uncredited. The film is now considered to be lost.

The Sin of Olga Brandt is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. Jon Mirsalis claims the film was written by Ida May Park and that "some sources suggest that the film, which preaches about the high morality of moving pictures, was instigated by (producer) Carl Laemmle, who was involved in censorship fights of his own over some of his releases".

Outside the Gates is a 1915 American silent fantasy film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. It is thought to have been scripted by Ida May Park. The film is now considered to be lost.

The Girl of the Night is a 1915 American silent crime film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney. The film is now considered to be lost. The film was re-released later as Her Chance. Joe De Grasse played a major role in the film, playing the attorney, Arthur Langham. A still exists showing Chaney in the role of Jerry, the petty thief.

The Stronger Mind is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney, Murdock MacQuarrie and Pauline Bush. Chaney did not routinely work for the United production unit at Universal, and was obviously sent over as a one-time loan-out for this production. It is now considered to be a lost film. A still exists showing MacQuarrie and Chaney as the two bank robbers.

A Mother's Atonement is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Ida May Park, and featuring Lon Chaney and Cleo Madison. Chaney played a dual role as Ben Morrison. Two stills exist showing Lon Chaney in both of the roles he plays in the film.

<i>The Mark of Cain</i> (1916 film) 1916 film

The Mark of Cain is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Stuart Paton, and starring Lon Chaney and Dorothy Phillips. The film's tagline was "A Thrilling Drama of the Long Arm of the Law With an Absorbing Love Interest". The film's working title was By Fate's Decree.

<i>The Place Beyond the Winds</i> 1916 film

The Place Beyond the Winds is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse, and starring Lon Chaney, Gretchen Lederer and Dorothy Phillips. It was written by Ida May Park, based on the novel by Harriet T. Comstock. The director De Grasse also played a role in the film. The film's original working title was Mansion of Despair. A still exists showing Chaney in the role of Jerry Jo, the homeless man.

<i>The Pipers Price</i> 1917 film

The Piper's Price is a 1917 silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and starring Lon Chaney, William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips. It was the first in a series of films co-starring William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips together. The screenplay was written by Ida May Park, based on the short story by Nancy Mann Waddel Woodrow. The film was released in the U.K. as Storm and Sunshine. The film is today considered lost. A still exists showing Lon Chaney in the role of Billy Kilmartin.

<i>Hell Morgans Girl</i> 1917 film

Hell Morgan's Girl is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joseph De Grasse, and starring William Stowell, Dorothy Phillips and Lon Chaney. The screenplay was written by Ida May Park, based on the Harvey Gates story entitled The Wrong Side of Paradise. The film's working title was The Wrong Side of Paradise. The film's tagline ran: "This is "Hell Morgan's Girl". You Doubt Her. You Accuse Her. You Pity Her. You Condemn Her. You Hate Her. You Love Her. SHE'S WONDERFUL!"

<i>The Flashlight</i> 1917 film

The Flashlight is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Ida May Park and starring Lon Chaney, Dorothy Phillips and William Stowell. The screenplay was written by Ida May Park, based on the short story by Albert M. Treynore. This was the first film Ida May Park ever directed.

<i>A Dolls House</i> (1917 film) 1917 film

A Doll's House is a 1917 American silent drama film based on the eponymous 1879 play by Henrik Ibsen. The film was written and directed by Joe De Grasse, and stars Lon Chaney, William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips. Film historian Jon C. Mirsalis stated that director De Grasse's wife Ida May Park wrote the screenplay, but most sources attribute both the writing and directing of the film to De Grasse himself. The film is today considered lost.

Fires of Rebellion is a 1917 American silent drama film written and directed by Ida May Park, and starring Lon Chaney, William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips. The film is today considered lost. A still exists showing Lon Chaney in the role of the lecherous photographer Russell Hanlon. The film's main musical theme was Serenade by R. Czerwonky.

<i>The Rescue</i> (1917 film) 1917 film

The Rescue is a 1917 American silent drama film written and directed by Ida May Park and starring Lon Chaney, William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips. The screenplay was based on a story by Hugh McNair Kahler. The film is today considered lost. A photo exists showing Lon Chaney in his role as Thomas Holland, a rare occasion when Chaney did not play a villain.

<i>Pay Me!</i> 1917 film

Pay Me! is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and starring Lon Chaney, Dorothy Phillips and William Stowell. In the United States, the film is also known as The Vengeance of the West. The screenplay was written by Bess Meredith, based on a story by Joe De Grasse. This film was Universal Pictures' first "Jewel Production" release. Once considered to be a lost film, an incomplete (23-minute) print was rediscovered in the Gosfilmofond archive in Russia in 2019. A still exists showing Lon Chaney in the role of the villainous Joe Lawson.

<i>Triumph</i> (1917 film) 1917 film

Triumph is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Fred Myton, starring Lon Chaney and Dorothy Phillips. The screenplay was adapted from a short story by Samuel Hopkins Adams. It was produced by Bluebird Photoplays and released by Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Only the first three of the five reels of this film survive, and the third reel is heavily decomposed. Two stills exist showing Lon Chaney as the terminally ill Paul Neihoff.

<i>The Talk of the Town</i> (1918 film) 1918 film

The Talk of the Town is a 1918 American silent comedy film directed by Allen Holubar and featuring Lon Chaney, William Stowell and Dorothy Phillips. The screenplay was written by Allen Holubar, based on the novelette "Discipline of Genevra" by Harold Vickers. Talk of the Town is considered a lost film.

<i>Paid in Advance</i> 1919 film by Allen Holubar

Paid in Advance is a 1919 American silent drama film set during the Alaska Gold Rush, from the story The Girl Who Dared by James Oliver Curwood. The film was directed by Allen Holubar, who wrote the screen adaption as well. The movie stars Dorothy Phillips, Joseph W. Girard, Lon Chaney, and Priscilla Dean.

Bondage is a 1917 American silent drama film written and directed by Ida May Park, and starring Dorothy Phillips, William Stowell, Gretchen Lederer and J.B. MacLaughlin.

References

  1. 1 2 "Silent Era: The Girl in the Checkered Coat". silentera. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  2. ↑ Mirsalis, Jon C. "The Girl in the Checkered Coat". Lonchaney.org. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. ↑ Mirsalis, Jon C. "The Girl in the Checkered Coat". Lonchaney.org. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 71. ISBN   1-879511-26-6.
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.