The Honor of the Family

Last updated

The Honor of the Family
Distributed by Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
  • November 7, 1912 (1912-11-07)
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

The Honor of the Family is a 1912 American silent short drama film produced by the Rex Motion Picture Company. The film is a melodramatic one between two brothers and a woman named Marja. Gerald admires the girl and warns his visiting brother, Claude, to leave her alone. Infatuated, Claude and Marja secretly marry before Claude returns to England with a promise to return for her. As the months pass, Marja becomes broken-hearted and attempts suicide, but ends up crippled for life. Claude dies and Gerald cares for Marja, even forging a letter to keep her spirits up. Marja comes to love Gerald and all is revealed on a later date.

Contents

The film was released on November 7, 1912. The film was claimed to be the debut of Lon Chaney, but this has been disputed. Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces states that Chaney's film debut occurred after his wife's suicide attempt in April 1913, but notes the possibility existed during his unemployment in 1912. The film is presumed lost.

Plot

A summary of the film was published in The Moving Picture News , "Claude the elder brother, is heir to the estates of Sir Tames by reason of the laws of England. He is a rogue and spendthrift. Gerald, the younger brother, leaves England to seek his fortune in America, being the recipient of a remittance at stated intervals. He goes to the mountains of the West and engages in mining. There he meets Marja and admires the girl. Claude comes to visit him, sees the girl, remarks her comeliness and marks her for his own. Gerald notices this and knowing his brother, warns him to let the girl alone. Marja is infatuated with the well-dressed visitor and is easily influenced. She consents to a secret marriage and Claude returns to England, promising to come back and claim her. Some months later Gerald proposes marriage to the girl and she sobbingly tells him she has married Claude. Gerald remains silent and does not denounce his brother. Marja does not hear from Claude but Gerald receives a paper from London announcing the marriage of Claude to a society woman, and he is furious with rage. Marja, broken-hearted over the silence of Claude, attempts suicide by throwing herself from an eminence and is found by Gerald, a cripple for life. He goes to civilization and purchases a wheel chair [so] that she may get about. Her father dies and Gerald takes her to his cabin, he [sleeps] outside in a tent. She grieves for Claude and he writes her a letter purporting to come from Claude, sending her some money and breathing love and devotion, and she is happy for a time." [1]

"Gerald receives a letter from his father announcing the death of Claude and calling him home to assume his position as the heir of the estates of Sir James. Gerald places the letter in his pocket together with the newspaper account of the marriage of Claude and decides not to return to England but to remain and care for the lawful wife of his brother, whom he has grown to love fondly. Some time afterward he goes to his mine, wheeling the girl along with him. He wheels her to the mouth of the shaft and leaves her, after throwing his coat over the arm of her chair. His devotion has caused her to love him. She tries to change her position and the coat falls to the ground. She picks it up and the letter from England and the paper falls out. She reads the announcement of the marriage of Claude and then, feeling justified, she reads the letter announcing the death of Claude and of Gerald being heir to the estates and a gentleman. She reflects and then draws the forged letter from her bosom and sees that it was written after the announcement of the marriage. It is all revealed to her. The sacrifice of Gerald — the double duty, love and a desire to uphold the honor of the proud English family. She cries to Gerald but cannot make him hear. In her desperation she tries to wheel her chair down the slope and it is overturned. Her cries bring Gerald and when he comes she shows him the newspaper and the letter. He is silent. He cannot explain. She reaches out her arms to him and is clasped to his heart." [1]

Production and release

The film was produced by the Rex Motion Picture Company and was released on November 7, 1912. [1] It was released as a single reel. [2] The film's length was approximately 592 feet. [3] The production credits or cast are not known. During this era, the players in the film were not credited and anonymity was the rule. [4]

The film appears to have had a widespread national release and numerous newspapers contain advertisements for the film. These include The Colonial in Oshkosh Daily Northwestern of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, [5] the City Theater in Williamsport Sun-Gazette of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, [6] the Hippodrome in The Allentown Democrat of Allentown, Pennsylvania, [7] and others including theaters in Maryland, [8] Texas, [9] and Oregon. [10]

Reception and legacy

The Moving Picture World reviewed it positively, stating that the film was "pleasingly melodramatic in which we find our old friends, hero, heroine and villain, who always entertain us when they really live up to their characters. ... It is humanly and naturally acted, the scenes are well made and often poetic, and the story moves smoothly without dragging." [11]

The film's enduring legacy stems from the disputed belief that Lon Chaney debuted in this film. Jon C. Mirsalis writes "None of the characters are billed in this Rex melodrama, although Chaney is clearly featured in a publicity still. This is the earliest known film in which Chaney appeared, but is undoubtedly one of many unbilled appearances he made at Universal." [2]

In Michael Blake's book A Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney's Unique Artistry in Motion Pictures, Blake does not mention this film, but notes that the possibility exists of Chaney performing in a film role during a period of unemployment in 1912. The date of the film's production is unknown, but the book notes that Chaney rejoined Clarence Kolb and Max Dill's company in San Francisco, California in September 1912, making it very unlikely that he appeared in this film. [12] The documentary Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces also states that Chaney's first works were at Nestor Studios." [13] The documentary also notes that Chaney's film debut only occurred after his wife's suicide attempt in April, 1913. [13]

The film is now considered lost. [14] It is unknown when the film was lost, but if it was in Universal's vaults it would have been deliberately destroyed along with the remaining copies of Universal's silent era films in 1948. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lon Chaney</span> American actor (1883–1930)

Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney was an American actor 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 for 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 that he developed earned him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Faces".

<i>The Hunchback of Notre Dame</i> (1923 film) 1923 film

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1923 American drama film starring Lon Chaney, directed by Wallace Worsley, and produced by Carl Laemmle and Irving Thalberg. The supporting cast includes Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry, Nigel de Brulier, and Brandon Hurst. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was the studio's "Super Jewel" of 1923 and was their most successful silent film, grossing $3.5 million. The film premiered on September 2, 1923, at the Astor Theatre in New York, New York, then went into release on September 6.

<i>The Road to Mandalay</i> (1926 film) 1926 American film

The Road to Mandalay is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney, Owen Moore, and Lois Moran. It was written by Elliott Clawson, based on a story idea by Tod Browning and Herman Mankiewicz. The script's original shooting title was Singapore. The film took 28 days to complete at a cost of $209,000. The worldwide box office gross was $724,000. Some stills exist showing Chaney's makeup as Singapore Joe.

The Ways of Fate is a 1913 American silent short romance film produced by the American Film Manufacturing Company. The film's directorial and producer roles have been both attributed to Allan Dwan, but other sources point to Wallace Reid as director. The film's fictional plot is centered on Jim Conway, who grew up wanting to avenge his father's death and headed West to seek his father's killer. Lost in the mountains, he is saved by a young woman and the two fall in love. After a few weeks with her, Conway reveals the reason he came west and the young woman's father overhears it. The old man confesses to killing Conway's father, over a game of cards, and bares his chest. Conway refuses to take revenge, because love had diminished such feelings. The film was released on April 19, 1913 and it had a widespread national release. It is not known whether the film currently survives, but it is presumed lost.

<i>Shon the Piper</i> 1913 film

Shon the Piper is a 1913 American silent short historical romantic drama film directed by Otis Turner, starring Robert Z. Leonard and Lon Chaney. The film follows a Scottish Duke who disguises himself as a piper and falls in love with a woman by the name of Madge. The woman's father refuses to let the two marry because he wants his daughter to marry the Laird of the Isla. At the wedding, Shon steals Madge away and a battle ensues between the clans.

Poor Jake's Demise is a 1913 American silent short slapstick comedy film directed by Allen Curtis featuring Max Asher, Louise Fazenda, and Lon Chaney. The film focuses on Jake who finds his wife in a compromising position with another man and later takes his revenge with a seltzer bottle. It is one of several slapstick comedy films Chaney made for Universal at the start of his career and is also his first credited screen role.

The Sea Urchin is a 1913 American silent short romantic drama film directed by Edwin August and starring Jeanie MacPherson and Lon Chaney. The film was the earliest known character role by Lon Chaney and the first screenplay by MacPherson. The story follows a hunchback fisherman who finds a young girl and raises her into womanhood with the intention of marrying her. The film was released on August 22, 1913, and was played across the United States. The film is presumed lost.

<i>The Restless Spirit</i> 1913 film

The Restless Spirit is a 1913 American silent short drama film written and directed by Allan Dwan, featuring J. Warren Kerrigan, Lon Chaney, and Pauline Bush. The film is based on Thomas Gray's 1751 poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, and tells the story of a man who wishes to be a conqueror. A series of illusions follows which show him the futility of conquest when he cannot even conquer his own community.

<i>The Embezzler</i> (1914 film) 1914 film by Allan Dwan

The Embezzler is a 1914 American silent short drama film directed by Allan Dwan and featuring Lon Chaney, Pauline Bush and Murdock MacQuarrie. The film is now considered lost. A still exists showing Chaney in the J. Roger Dixon role.

<i>The Lamb, the Woman, the Wolf</i> 1914 film by Allan Dwan

The Lamb, the Woman, the Wolf is a 1914 American silent Western drama film directed by Allan Dwan and featuring Murdock MacQuarrie, Pauline Bush, and Lon Chaney. The film is now considered lost.

Her Bounty is a 1914 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and written by his wife Ida May Park, and featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. This was the first film Chaney worked on with the filmmaking team of Joe De Grasse and Ida May Park, to be followed by many more. The film is now considered to be lost.

Her Escape is a 1914 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. Lon Chaney not only acted in this film, he also wrote the screenplay. The Blake book on Chaney states the film was actually released earlier on December 13, 1914, but all other sources say December 27. The film is now considered to be lost.

<i>A Small Town Girl</i> 1915 film by Allan Dwan

A Small Town Girl was a 1914 American silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and featuring Lon Chaney, Pauline Bush and Rupert Julian. The film is now considered to be lost.

<i>The Pines Revenge</i> 1915 film

The Pine's Revenge is a 1915 American silent drama film of the Northhwoods, directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Nell Shipman, and featuring Lon Chaney and Arthur Shirley. Shipman based her screenplay on her own story, "The King's Keeper". The film is now considered to be lost.

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.

Dolly's Scoop is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney. It was written by Ida May Park, based on a story by Hugh Weir. This was one of the few silent films that subtitled the actors' dialogue at the bottom of the screen, instead of using title cards. Also, this was one of the only Lon Chaney films in which Chaney wound up getting the girl at the end of the picture. A still exists showing Lon Chaney in the role of the reporter, Dan Fisher.

<i>Victory</i> (1919 film) 1919 film by Maurice Tourneur

Victory is a surviving 1919 American action film directed by Maurice Tourneur and starring Jack Holt, Seena Owen, Lon Chaney, Wallace Beery and Bull Montana. The film is an adaptation of the 1915 eponymous novel by Joseph Conrad. The screenplay was written by Jules Furthman and Ben Carré was the art director.

<i>Flesh and Blood</i> (1922 film) 1922 film by Irving Cummings

Flesh and Blood is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Lon Chaney, Noah Beery, Edith Roberts and De Witt Jennings. The film originally had a color flashback scene with Chinese actors, but the color footage is no longer in any of the available prints. The film's working titles were Prison and Fires of Vengeance. Interior scenes were shot at Universal Studios.

The Next Corner is a 1924 American silent romantic melodrama film directed by Sam Wood. The film starred Dorothy Mackaill and Lon Chaney. Based on the romance novel of the same name by Kate Jordan, the film was produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

<i>All the Brothers Were Valiant</i> (1923 film) 1923 film by Irvin Willat

All the Brothers Were Valiant is a 1923 American silent sea adventure and romantic drama film starring Lon Chaney. The film was produced and distributed by Metro Pictures corporation and directed by Irvin Willat. The cast also features Malcolm McGregor, Billie Dove and Robert McKim. The screenplay was written by Julien Josephson, based on the eponymous novel by Ben Ames Williams. The film was also known as Cold Courage.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Moving Picture News (Jul-Dec 1912) (Jul-Dec 1912)". Cinematograph Publishing Company. 1912. p. 667. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Mirsalis, Jon. "The Honor of the Family". Lon Chaney.org. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1912) (1912)". New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. 1912. p. 1368. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ Q. David Bowers (1995). "Volume 1: Narrative History - Chapter 2: Into the Film Industry - Actors and Actresses". Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  5. ↑ "(Colonial Ad)". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin). December 19, 1912. p. 14. Retrieved September 3, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ "(City Theater Ad)". Williamsport Sun-Gazette (Williamsport, Pennsylvania). December 5, 1912. p. 10. Retrieved September 3, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ "(Hippodrome Ad)". The Allentown Democrat (Allentown, Pennsylvania). November 16, 1912. p. 6. Retrieved September 3, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. ↑ "Marvel Tonight". The News (Frederick, Maryland). December 3, 1912. p. 3. Retrieved September 3, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. ↑ "New Princess Theater". Bryan Daily Eagle and Pilot (Bryan, Texas). December 3, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  10. ↑ "(Cosy Ad) (Evening Edition)". East Oregonian. November 11, 1912. p. 6. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1912) (1912)". New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. 1912. p. 665. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  12. ↑ Blake, Michael (1997). A Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney's Unique Artistry in Motion Pictures. Vestal Press. pp. 18–30. ISBN   9781461730767 . Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  13. 1 2 Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (DVD). Warner Home Video. 2000.
  14. ↑ "Silent Era: The Honor of the Family". silentera. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
  15. ↑ Ohlheiser, Abby (December 4, 2013). "Most of America's Silent Films Are Lost Forever". The Wire. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
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.