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James Searle Dawley was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, stage actor, and playwright. Between 1907 and the mid-1920s, while working for Edison, Rex Motion Picture Company, Famous Players, Fox, and other studios, he directed more than 300 short films and 56 features, which include many of the early releases of stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Pearl White, Marguerite Clark, Harold Lloyd, and John Barrymore. He also wrote scenarios for many of his productions, including one for his 1910 horror film Frankenstein, the earliest known screen adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel. While film direction and screenwriting comprised the bulk of Dawley's career, he also had earlier working experience in theater, performing on stage for more than a decade and managing every aspect of stagecraft. Dawley wrote at least 18 plays as well for repertory companies and for several Broadway productions.
The Old Monk's Tale is a 1913 American drama film directed by J. Searle Dawley, produced by The Edison Company and released by General Film Company. It features the first known film appearance of Harold Lloyd as an uncredited Yaqui Indian at a party.
Laura Sawyer was an American film actress on stage and in silent films.
Caprice is a 1913 silent film produced by Daniel Frohman and Adolph Zukor released by Famous Players Film Company and starring Mary Pickford. J. Searle Dawley directed. Though Zukor helped finance the film it was distributed on a 'State's Rights' arrangement primarily since Paramount Pictures did not yet exist. The story of this film had been acted on the stage by a young Minnie Maddern Fiske in the 1880s, one of her earliest successes as an adult actress. The same story gives Pickford the chance to arise to the height of a fine actress instead of just merely a popular performer. This film is lost.
In the Bishop's Carriage is a 1913 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players Film Company film company and starring Mary Pickford. It is based on the novel of the same name by Miriam Michelson. This film is lost.
On The Broad Stairway, from Edison Studios, was a 1913 American silent film (short) written and directed by J. Searle Dawley. The film was the second of three "Kate Kirby's Cases" detective tales produced in 1913 before Dawley and actress Laura Sawyer left Edison to continue the series later that year with the Famous Players Film Company. On The Broad Stairway was released in the United States on July 19, 1913.
The Valentine Girl is a 1917 American silent romantic drama film directed by J. Searle Dawley and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film starred Marguerite Clark, Frank Losee, and Richard Barthelmess. Actress Laura Sawyer wrote the screen story. The film is now presumed lost.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a 1913 American silent drama film based upon the Thomas Hardy 1891 novel of the same name and was one of the first feature films made. It was directed by J. Searle Dawley, released by Famous Players Film Company and stars Mrs. Fiske, reprising her famous role from the 1897 play. An Adolph Zukor feature production after securing the services of top American actress Mrs. Fiske.
A Lady of Quality is a lost 1913 silent film drama directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring stage star Cissy Loftus. It was produced by Daniel Frohman and Adolph Zukor, was based on the 1896 novel A Lady of Quality by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and was among the first of his feature-length productions.
Leah Kleschna is a lost 1913 American silent film directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring Carlotta Nillson, a Swedish stage actress. It was produced by Daniel Frohman and Adolph Zukor under the banner of his newly formed Famous Players Film Company. The film is based on a 1904 play Leah Kleschna by C. M. S. McLellan that starred Mrs. Fiske on Broadway.
Chelsea 7750 is a surviving 1913 American silent crime drama film directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring Henry E. Dixey, Laura Sawyer, and House Peters. It was the fourth of six "Kate Kirby's Cases" detective stories made in 1913, the first produced by the Famous Players Film Company after Dawley and Sawyer left Edison for Famous Players.
An Hour Before Dawn is a lost 1913 silent film detective drama directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring Laura Sawyer and House Peters. It was the fifth of six "Kate Kirby's Cases" detective stories made in 1913, the second produced by the Famous Players Film Company after Dawley and Sawyer left Edison for Famous Players.
The Daughter of the Hills is a lost 1913 silent film historical drama directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring Laura Sawyer and Wellington Playter. Daniel Frohman and Adolph Zukor produced with distribution through the State Rights system.
The Pride of Jennico is a lost 1914 silent swashbuckler film directed by J. Searle Dawley. It was produced by Adolph Zukor and released on a State Rights basis. On the Broadway stage, the play starred James K. Hackett, Bertha Galland and Arthur Hoops.
A Woman's Triumph is a lost 1914 silent film drama directed by J. Searle Dawley and starring Laura Sawyer. It was produced by Daniel Frohman and Adolph Zukor and based on an 1818 story The Heart of Midlothian by Sir Walter Scott.
The Diamond Crown, from Edison Studios, was a 1913 American silent film (short) written and directed by J. Searle Dawley. It was the first of three "Kate Kirby's Cases" detective stories made in 1913 for Edison before Dawley and actress Laura Sawyer left Edison for Famous Players Film Co. later that year, where they produced three more. This film was also Justina Huff's debut in motion pictures. The Diamond Crown was released in the United States on July 12, 1913. This film is considered lost.
The Substitute Stenographer, from Edison Studios, was a 1913 American silent film (short) directed by Walter Edwin The film was the third of three "Kate Kirby's Cases" detective tales produced with Edison in 1913 before actress Laura Sawyer left Edison to continue the series later that year with the Famous Players Film Company and the director of the other five films, J. Searle Dawley. It was released in the United States on 4 August 1913.
Children of Eve is a 1915 silent film directed by John H. Collins and starring Viola Dana. It was produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company, distributed by an arrangement between Edison and George Kleine.
The Battle of Trafalgar is a lost 1911 American silent docudrama film that portrayed the 1805 victory of Great Britain’s Royal Navy over the combined naval forces of France and Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. The death of British Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson in that decisive sea battle was also depicted in this "one-reeler", which was directed by J. Searle Dawley and produced by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. The film starred Sydney Booth with Herbert Prior, James Gordon, Charles Ogle, and Laura Sawyer in supporting roles.
For Valour is a 1912 silent American short film made by the Edison Manufacturing Company. It stars Laura Sawyer, Richard R. Neill, Ben Wilson, and James Gordon. It is based on the short story of the same name by Talbot Mundy. It was directed by J. Searle Dawley.
