The Shield of Honor

Last updated

The Shield of Honor
Shield of Honor lobby card.jpg
Lobby card
Directed by Emory Johnson
Screenplay by
Based onOriginal story by
Emilie Johnson
Produced by Universal Pictures Jewel
Starring
CinematographyRoss Fisher
Layouts byCharles Hall
Color processBlack and White
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • December 10, 1927 (1927-December-10)(New York City)
Running time
6 reels
CountryUnited States
Languages
The Shield of Honor (1927) by Emory Johnson

The Shield of Honor is a 1927 American silent crime drama film directed by Emory Johnson based on the original story by Emilie Johnson. It starred Neil Hamilton, Dorothy Gulliver, and Ralph Lewis. This film explores a new branch of law enforcement - the Sky Cops. We follow the story of Jack MacDowell, the department's first pilot. During his new duties, Jack acquires a love interest and enlists the help of his retired father. They all work together, attempting to solve a series of diamond heists. Jack and his father deal with burning buildings, exchanging gunfire with jewel thieves, and a spectacular aerial battle. They finally arrest the perpetrators. Following its New York City premiere on December 10, 1927, the film was released on February 18, 1928, by Universal Pictures. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

This film opens with veteran police officers Dan MacDowell (Ralph Lewis), and his son Jack MacDowell (Neil Hamilton) attending a ceremony. The event is celebrating the addition of a new airplane to the law enforcement group. Jack MacDowell will become the police plane's first flying officer. Also, participating in the celebration is Gwen O'Day (Dorothy Gulliver). She is the daughter of a wealthy jeweler named Howard O'Day (Fred Esmelton). Gwen is chosen to christen the new police plane with a bottle of Champaign. During the christening, Jack MacDowell develops a fascination for beautiful Gwen. The feeling is mutual. The celebration culminates with a review of the force.

               Film's opening dedication to Police
Forward from The Shield of Honor.png

After the ceremony's conclusion, we find another major jewel robbery that has happened in the city. We further discover that only O'Day's customers were the victims of burglaries. Somehow, all the robberies trace back to the O'Day jewelry store. All the thieves remain unsolved. Howard is determined to solve these crimes but can't make any headway on his own. Howard asks Jack MacDowell if he can do a police investigation of the diamond thefts. Gwen overhears her father's request and secretly asks if she can assist too.

Meanwhile, Dan MacDowell turns sixty-five. Under police department regulations, this is the mandatory age of retirement from the police force. Dan is forced to retire. Even though he is retired, Dan still wants to be involved in law enforcement. Howard O'Day gives Dan a security job at the jewelry store. He is the new night watchman.

Jack and Gwen continue to hunt for clues about the jewel thefts. In addition to his watchman duties, Dan MacDowell is also assisting in detective work. After investigating several clues, Jack whittles his suspect list down to one man, Howard's business advisor, Robert Chandler, played by Nigel Barrie. But Jack and Gwen still have not gathered enough evidence to press charges. Unbeknown to Jack and Gwen, Robert Chandler is the leader of a gang of jewel thieves. Other members of the group include Rose Fisher (Thelma Todd), O'Day's stenographer, and Red (David Kirby), the store janitor. They have a straightforward plan. Steal from the jewelry store customer, then sell the jewels back to the store.

Jack and Gwen continue their investigation. Then another burglary is carried out. This time they rob the actual O'Day jewelry store of precious diamonds. During the commission of the crime, Gwen discovers the thieves; they, in turn, lock her in the vault and set the building on fire. The thieves make their escape and board a waiting plane. They will make their escape in the air. Jack catches wind of the robbery, but this time, he knows who did it. Jack and his father rush to the police plane, jump in the cockpit, strap up and take to the air. They give chase to the fugitive's plane. After catching up with the criminals, a night aerial battle takes place. When the smoke settles, the jewel thieves are rounded up and arrested. We confirm Chandler is the leader of a gang of jewel thieves.

Jack MacDowell, the department's first aviator detective, has proven the worth of an airplane in law enforcement. He becomes the shining example of the newest branch of the law - the Sky Cops. Even though Dan MacDowell is Sixty-five, the department waives the mandatory retirement, and he is allowed to rejoin the force. Jack is a hero and marries Gwen.

Cast

ActorRole
Neil Hamilton Jack MacDowell
Dorothy Gulliver Gwen O'Day
Ralph Lewis Dan MacDowell
Nigel Barrie Robert Chandler
Claire McDowell Mrs. MacDowell
Fred Esmelton Howard O'Day
Harry Northrup A. E. Blair
Thelma Todd Rose Fisher
David KirbyRed
Joseph W. Girard Chief of Police
William Bakewell Jerry MacDowell
Hankhimself, a dog

Pre-production

Marketing

Advertisement Shield of Honor01.png
Advertisement

Based on an American Film Institute standard, films with a running time of forty-five minutes or longer are considered feature films. In 1915, feature films were becoming more the trend in Hollywood. In 1916, Universal formed a three-tier branding system for their releases. Universal films decided to label their films according to the size of their budget and status. Bear in mind, Universal, unlike the top-tier studios, did not own any theaters to market its feature films. By branding their product, Universal gave theater owners and audiences a quick reference guide. Branding would help theater owners judge films they were about to lease and help fans decide which movies they wanted to see.

Universal released three different types of feature motion pictures: [3] [4]

This film carried Universal's "Jewel" branding, designating top-shelf motion pictures featuring big budgets with all-star casts.

Theme

This film is the second effort by Emory Johnson to glorify the brave men in blue. The first film to start the series of "Glorifying the men in uniform" men in uniform" was In the Name of the Law. This film and showing their everyday dedication to duty, also interweaves love, adventure, and a series of crimes.

Screenplay

Emilie Johnson was Emory Johnson's mother. She developed the stories for the majority of films directed by her son. The basis of this film was the original Emilie Johnson story In the Name of the Law. By the time this movie was produced, Emilie Johnson was no longer writing screenplays. Adaption and screenwriting duties fell to a team of three writers, Leigh Jacobson, Gladys Lehman, and Viola Brothers Shore.

Casting

Ralph Lewis was cast as the veteran 65-year old policeman Dan MacDowell. Casting Lewis in this role made sense since he was featured prominently in the Emory Johnson 1922 production of In the Name of the Law. In that film, he played policeman Pat O'Hara. Lewis was now 55 years old, saying he was too old for a leading man. In another ironic twist, Claire McDowell plays Dan MacDowell's wife. In the 1922 film In the Name of the Law , she played the wife of Pat O'Hara. 28-year-oldJames Neil Hamilton received the starring role of Jack MacDowell. 19-year-old Dorothy Gulliver earned the role of leading lady Gwen O'Day.

Production

Location

Filming the externals for this film took place in Exposition Park located in Los Angeles. The remainder of the filming was at Universal Studios located at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City, California.

Post-production

This film's theatrical release totaled six reels or 6,173 feet of film. As is often the case, the listed time for this feature-length movie varies. The average time per 1,000-foot 35mm reel varied between ten and fifteen minutes per reel at the time. Thus, the total time for this movie is computed between sixty and eighty minutes. [5]

Exploitation

Anecdotes

Alternate title

Several magazines mistakenly list the title of this film as "Shield of Honor." The official copyrighted title of this film is "The Shield of Honor."

Release and reception

The film was copyrighted on February 11, 1927, under LP24621. The film premiered in New York City on December 10, 1927. The official film release date to US theaters was February 18, 1928. [8]

The critics published mostly positive reviews. One newspaper critic especially liked Universal's use of "magnificent settings, gorgeous costumes, a perfectly balanced cast, superb direction, and beautiful photography." [9]

A sampling of reviews is shown below.

In the December 30, 1927 issue of the Motion Picture News , E. G. Johnston points out [10]

. . . Emory Johnson's picture has some bang-up action and timely airplane material that will score with the average audience. No other director in this business has had more experience with pictures of the kind and Mr. Johnson has not failed to add an interesting yeard to the glorification of this country's police departments.

In the May 13, 1928, issue of The San Bernardino Sun , Sue Bernardine observes [11]

. . . a picture designed in tribute to the new department of the guardians of the law, "the sky cop," . . .It is said to be of the thrilling type, depicting the police of the sky in real action.

Final universal film

In June 1927, Emory Johnson signed a new nine-picture deal with Universal. [12] The first film Johnson releases under his new Universal contract is The Fourth Commandment . [13] In September 1927, Johnson releases The Lone Eagle . [14] [15] In February 1928, Johnson released The Shield of Honor. After completing three successful movies for Universal, Johnson reneges on the remainder of his nine-picture contract. He negotiated a new contract with Poverty Row studio, Tiffany-Stahl Productions. [16] [17] Emory Johnson would not direct another film until 1930.

Preservation status

A report created by film historian and archivist David Pierce for the Library of Congress claims:

Emory Johnson directed 13 films - 11 were silent, and 2 were Talkies. The Shield of Honor was the third and final film in Emory Johnson's eight-picture contract with Universal. The film's original length is listed at 6 reels. According to the Library of Congress website, prints of The Shield of Honor survive at the George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection and UCLA Film and Television Archive. [8] DVDs of film are available from multiple vendors.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Hamilton (actor)</span> American actor (1899–1984)

James Neil Hamilton was an American stage, film and television actor, best remembered for his role as Commissioner Gordon on the Batman TV series of the 1960s, having first played a character by that name in 1928's Three Week-Ends. During his motion picture career, which spanned more than a half century, Hamilton performed in over 260 productions in the silent and sound eras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Maynard</span> American actor (1895–1973)

Kenneth Olin Maynard was an American actor and producer. He was mostly active from the 1920s to the 1940s and considered one of the biggest Western stars in Hollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Darro</span> American actor (1917–1976)

Frankie Darro was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a child actor in silent films, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles in adventure, western, dramatic, and comedy films, and later became a character actor and voice-over artist. He is perhaps best known for his role as Lampwick, the unlucky boy who turns into a donkey in Walt Disney's second animated feature, Pinocchio (1940). In early credits, his last name was spelled Darrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Stonehouse</span> American actress

Ruth Stonehouse was an actress and film director during the silent film era. Her stage career started at the age of eight as a dancer in Arizona shows.

In the Name of the Law is a 1922 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson with Dick Posson acting as assistant director. FBO released the film in August 1922. The film's "All-Star" cast included Ralph Lewis, Johnnie Walker, and Claire McDowell. The cast also included Johnson and his wife, Ella Hall. Emilie Johnson, Johnson's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. In the Name of the Law was the first picture in Johnson's eight-picture contract with FBO.

<i>The Ghost Patrol</i> 1923 silent film by Nat Ross

The Ghost Patrol is a 1923 American silent romantic melodrama film directed by Nat Ross from a short story by Sinclair Lewis, produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. It starred Ralph Graves and Bessie Love and is now considered lost.

<i>The Fourth Commandment</i> (1927 film) 1927 American silent drama film

The Fourth Commandment is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Emory Johnson and based on the short story "The Fourth Commandment" by Emilie Johnson. The film stars Belle Bennett, Henry Victor, June Marlowe, and Mary Carr. The film was released on March 20, 1927 by Universal Pictures. The Fourth Commandment is - "Honor your father and your mother.. ."

<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 Third Alarm</i> (1922 film) 1922 film

The Third Alarm is a 1922 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson. FBO released the film in January 1923. The film's "All-Star" cast included Ralph Lewis, Johnnie Walker, and Johnson's wife, Ella Hall. Emilie Johnson, Johnson's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The Third Alarm was the second picture in Johnson's eight-picture contract with FBO.

<i>The Lone Eagle</i> 1927 film directed by Emory Johnson

The Lone Eagle is a 1927 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson, based on the story by Emilie Johnson, and starring Raymond Keane, Barbara Kent and Nigel Barrie. It was released by Universal Pictures on September 18, 1927.

<i>The West~Bound Limited</i> 1923 American silent melodrama film

The West~Bound Limited is a 1923 American silent melodrama film directed by Emory Johnson. FBO released the film in April 1923. The film's "All-Star" cast included Ralph Lewis, Claire McDowell, Johnny Harron, and Ella Hall. Emilie Johnson, Johnson's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The West~Bound Limited was the third film in Johnson's eight-picture contract with FBO.

<i>The Mailman</i> (1923 film) 1923 American silent melodrama film

The Mailman is a 1923 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson. FBO released the film in December 1923. The film's "All-Star" cast included Ralph Lewis, Johnnie Walker, and Virginia True Boardman. Emilie Johnson, Johnson's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The Mailman was the fourth film in Johnson's eight-picture contract with FBO.

<i>The Non-Stop Flight</i> 1926 film

The Non-Stop Flight is a 1926 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson. FBO released the film in March 1926. The film's "All-Star" cast included Knute Erickson and Marcella Daly. Emilie Johnson, Johnson's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The Non-Stop Flight was the eighth and final film in Johnson's eight-picture contract with FBO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emilie Johnson</span> Swedish-American author and movie producer (1867–1941)

Emilie Johnson was a Swedish-American author, scenarist, and movie producer. She was the mother of American actor, director, producer, and writer Emory Johnson. In 1912, Emory Johnson dropped out of college and embarked upon a career in the movie business, starting as an assistant camera operator at Essanay Studios.

<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 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.

<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.

References

  1. "The Shield of Honor". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . American Film Institute . Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  2. "The Shield of Honor". www.tcm.com.
  3. Michael Zmuda (April 30, 2015). The Five Sedgwicks: Pioneer Entertainers of Vaudeville, Film and Television. McFarland. p. 54. ISBN   978-0-7864-9668-6.
  4. B movies (Hollywood Golden Age)#Roots of the B movie: 1910s–1920s
  5. Kawin, Bruce F. (1987). How Movies Work . University of California Press. p.  46. ISBN   9780520076969.
  6. 1 2 ""Shield of Honor" (Universal)". The Film Daily (Jan-Jun 1928). New York, Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. May 24, 1928. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  7. "2500 Policemen Playing in film" . Woodland Daily Democrat (Woodland, California). June 27, 1928. p. 6 via genealogybank.com.
  8. 1 2 The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Shield of Honor
  9. "Endicott Lyric" . Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, New York). June 8, 1928. p. 22 via genealogybank.com.
  10. "Opinions on Pictures - Shield of Honor - Police Picture will Entertain". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. December 30, 1927. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  11. "Shield of Honor Film Tribute to Sky Police, Screen Feature Today Only" . The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, California). May 13, 1928. p. 8 via genealogybank.com.
  12. "Hollywood Studio Gossip" . San Francisco Chronicle. June 4, 1926. p. 11. Retrieved March 11, 2019 via Genealogybank.
  13. "Entire Issue dedicated to the Fourth Commandment". Universal Weekly. Universal Pictures. October 30, 1926. pp. 46–89.
  14. The Lone Eagle @ allmovie.com
  15. The Lone Eagle @ TCM.com
  16. "Johnson and McCarthy Reported with T.-S". The Film Daily. New York, Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. January 16, 1928. p. 125.
  17. "Johnsons Join T-S as Writing, Directing Team". The Film Daily. New York, Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. February 14, 1928. p. 324.
  18. 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.
  19. Slide, Anthony (2000). Nitrate Won't Wait: History of Film Preservation in the United States. McFarland. p. 5. ISBN   978-0786408368 . Retrieved March 25, 2013. It is often claimed that 75 percent of all American silent films are gone and 50 percent of all films made prior to 1950 are lost, but such figures, as archivists admit in private, were thought up on the spur of the moment, without statistical information to back them up.