The Golden Claw

Last updated
The Golden Claw
Directed by Reginald Barker
Written by C. Gardner Sullivan
Produced by Thomas H. Ince (Triangle-Ince)
Starring Bessie Barriscale
Frank Mills
Distributed by Kay-Bee Pictures
Release date
  • December 5, 1915 (1915-12-05)
CountryUnited States
Languages Silent film
English intertitles

The Golden Claw is a 1915 American dramatic film produced by Thomas H. Ince, written by C. Gardner Sullivan, and directed by Reginald Barker. It is a five-reel drama released by Kay-Bee Pictures and starred Bessie Barriscale.

Contents

Plot

Bessie Barriscale played the role of Lillian Henry, “a beautiful young girl who enjoys all the tinsel and glitter of society life and is willing to marry simply for money and all the luxuries and pleasures that its possession will bring.” [1] One reviewer described Barriscale’s character as a “young girl” who “decides that she will practically sell herself to a youth of wealth.” [2] Frank Mills plays Bert Werden, “the young unspoiled man, who was determined to give his wife her fill of his continual search for the golden fleece.” [3]

Following their marriage, Bert Werden loses his fortune, and his wife goads him to restore her to wealth and luxury again. He works day and night and bets on the stock market. His health is almost wrecked and he becomes “money mad” and neglects his wife. Eventually, both characters learn that other things are more important than money. Barriscale’s character wins her husband back and gives him $50,000, a sum he had given her at the start of their marriage, to give him a new start. [2]

Cast

Critical reception

One reviewer said of the film: "A motion picture story of the highest class, of vital subject, original development and striking characterization, 'The Golden Claw' is one of those rare products calculated to interest many millions of intelligent people and bring into the fold those other millions of intelligent people who are repelled by poor examples of new art." [4] The same reviewer praised the film’s direct approach in dealing with its subject matter:

"'The Golden Claw' attacks the problem of money madness with great simplicity and directness so far as the line of action is concerned, but the admirable solution is so subtle that only fine characterization and such powerful interpretation as that given by Bessie Barriscale and Frank Mills." [4]

Another reviewer noted: "As a bitter satire on the futility of piling up money simply for the sake of possessing it, the film is declared to be exceptionally strong." [2]

Related Research Articles

Dorothy Kelly American actress

Dorothy Dupre Kelly was an American motion picture actress of the early silent film era.

<i>The Old Reliable</i> 1951 novel by P.G. Wodehouse

The Old Reliable is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United Kingdom on 18 April 1951 by Herbert Jenkins, London and in the United States on 11 October 1951 by Doubleday & Co, New York. The novel was serialised in Collier's magazine from 24 June to 22 July 1950, under the title Phipps to the Rescue.

Bessie Barriscale American actress (1884–1965)

Bessie Barriscale was an American actress who gained fame on the stage and in silent films.

"Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" is a song published in 1930. It was written by Sam H. Stept with lyrics by Sidney Clare. The original publication also credited singer Bee Palmer as co-composer.

<i>The Golden Louis</i> 1909 American film

The Golden Louis is a 1909 American drama film written by Edward Acker, directed by D. W. Griffith, and produced by the Biograph Company in New York City. Originally, this short was distributed to theaters on a "split reel", accompanying another Griffith-directed film, the comedy The Politician's Love Story.

Her Moment is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Beal and starring William Garwood and Anne Luther. It is not known whether the film currently survives.

<i>The Case of the Howling Dog</i> 1934 film by Alan Crosland

The Case of the Howling Dog is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Alan Crosland, based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. The film stars Warren William and Mary Astor. This was the first in a series of four films in which William played Perry Mason. The next three films in the series were The Case of the Curious Bride (1935), The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935), and The Case of the Velvet Claws (1936).

Anna Lehr American actress

Anna Lehr was an American silent film and stage actress.

<i>While the City Sleeps</i> (1928 film) 1928 film by Jack Conway

While the City Sleeps is a 1928 American silent crime drama film about a tough New York City police detective, played by Lon Chaney, out to catch a murdering gangster. The film was directed by Jack Conway, written by Andrew Percival Younger, and co-starred Anita Page, Carroll Nye, Wheeler Oakman, and Mae Busch.

<i>The Mighty B!</i> Nickelodeon TV show starring Amy Poehler

The Mighty B! is an American animated television series created by Amy Poehler, Cynthia True, and Erik Wiese for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Bessie Higgenbottom, an ambitious Honeybee girl scout who believes she will become The Mighty B if she collects every Honeybee badge. Bessie lives in San Francisco with her single mother Hilary, brother Ben and dog Happy. Poehler provides the voice of Bessie, who is loosely based on the character Cassie McMadison, who Poehler played on the improvisational comedy troupes Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City before she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live.

C. Gardner Sullivan American screenwriter

Charles Gardner Sullivan was an American screenwriter and film producer. He was a prolific writer with more than 350 films among his credits. In 1924, the magazine Story World selected him on a list of the ten individuals who had contributed the most to the advancement of the motion picture industry from its inception forward. Four of Sullivan's films, The Italian (1915), Civilization (1916), Hell's Hinges (1916), and All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), have been listed in the National Film Registry.

The Menace to Carlotta is a 1914 American silent short drama film directed by Allan Dwan and featuring Pauline Bush, William C. Dowlan, Murdock MacQuarrie and Lon Chaney. It was banned by the censor of Quebec on March 19, 1914. The film is now considered lost. Chaney also wrote the film's scenario. The film's original working title was Carlotta, the Bead Stringer.

<i>The Aryan</i> 1916 film

The Aryan is a 1916 American silent Western film starring William S. Hart, Gertrude Claire, Charles K. French, Louise Glaum, and Bessie Love.

<i>The Girl Said No</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by Andrew L. Stone

The Girl Said No is a 1937 American musical comedy film produced by Andrew L. Stone and Edward L. Alperson for Grand National Pictures and directed by Andrew L. Stone. The screenplay was written by Betty Laidlaw, Robert Lively and Andrew L. Stone. The film stars Robert Armstrong, Irene Hervey and Paula Stone. It uses musical numbers from Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and the story is about a shady bookie who is in love with a greedy dance hall girl and schemes to get her back after she rejects him. Along the way, he revives a failing Gilbert and Sullivan troupe.

<i>The Wolf Woman</i> 1916 film by Raymond B. West

The Wolf Woman is a 1916 silent era drama motion picture starring Louise Glaum, Howard C. Hickman, and Charles Ray.

<i>Cheap Kisses</i> 1924 film by John Ince

Cheap Kisses is a 1924 American silent drama film starring Jean Hersholt as a famous sculptor. This was the first film made by screenwriter C. Gardner Sullivan through his new production company, C. Gardner Sullivan Productions. Sullivan also wrote the screenplay. The film was described as "a virile, fast-moving, jazzy story of the present day and age. It shows the peril to the youth of the land along the cocktail, petting-party route."

<i>The Green Swamp</i> 1916 film by Scott Sidney

The Green Swamp is a 1916 silent drama starring Bessie Barriscale and written by C. Gardner Sullivan.

<i>The Adventures of Shorty</i> 1914 film

The Adventures of Shorty is the name of a 1914 American short silent Western film featuring Shorty Hamilton, and the general name for the series of similar short films it started.

<i>The Heiress at Coffee Dans</i> 1916 silent film by Edward Dillon

The Heiress at Coffee Dan's is a 1916 American silent comedy-drama film produced by the Fine Arts Film Company and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. It starred Bessie Love and was directed by Edward Dillon.

<i>The Old Curiosity Shop</i> (1911 film) 1911 American film

The Old Curiosity Shop is a 1911 American silent short drama film produced by the Thanhouser Company. The film is an adaptation of the 1841 novel The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens that was limited to the time constrictions of the single reel format. The film focuses on the grandfather who gambles into poverty and the consequences which eventually claim the life of Little Nell. Its survival and attribution as a Thanhouser film was noted by Kamilla Elliott in her 2003 book Rethinking the Novel/Film Debate under the title Little Nell. In 2012, the work was confirmed to be a Thanhouser production at the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. The identification of the film as Little Nell arose due to head of the film having been lost.

References

  1. ↑ "Newspaper Advertisement". Frederick News-Post. 1916-03-02.
  2. 1 2 3 ""Golden Claw" at the American". The Salt Lake Tribune. 1915-12-12.
  3. ↑ "MISS BARRISCALE IN "THE GOLDEN CLAW": Triangle 'Features Shows Baleful Passion for Gold in Absorbing Story at the Princess". Janesville Daily Gazette. 1916-02-29.
  4. 1 2 "'The Golden Claw': A Strong Five-Reel Kay-Bee by C. Gardner Sullivan". Daily Advocate. 1916-02-26.
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.