Cinematic Discoveries Following the Footsteps of Silks and Satins: ...

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

The superintendent of the Knowlton Iron Works is in love with his employer's daughter, who has been reared in luxury, and is the idol of her father. To save this woman from the knowledge that her father is a thief, the loyal superintendent takes upon his own shoulders the guilt of her father's crime. After all the stress which the story develops, his sacrifice is learned and rewarded by the woman he loves, who decides to stand with him on the side of the oppressed workmen, to whose cause the superintendent has devoted his life's labor.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

Snow White, a beautiful girl, is despised by a wicked queen who tries to destroy her. With the aid of dwarves in the woods, Snow White overcomes the queen.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Snow White perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

We show Lord Nelson leaving the admiralty room where he makes his famous speech and then introduce him with his captains giving the details of that wonderful plan of attack which was carried out to the letter at Trafalgar, the inspirations of the captains and their enthusiastic toast. We are then carried along to the day before the battle when the men are writing their last letters home. Here a beautiful scenic and photographic effect is introduced as the vision of the sweetheart of one of the lieutenants fades into view. This gives an opportunity to introduce that famous episode of the letter in which Lord Nelson called back the mail ship for a single message and which is endeared to the hearts of all those who sail the sea. We are then carried along to the morning of October twenty-first, Eighteen Hundred and Five, when the fleet of the enemy is sighted. The decks are cleared for action and the hoisting of the colors is portrayed with all the solemnity of the occasion before entering the battle. The correct incident of the hoisting of the famous signal "England expects every man to do his duty" is splendidly portrayed and carried out in every detail, and we note the pathetic touch in Nelson's life in bidding farewell to his captains having at the time a presentiment of his own death. We now get to the little human touch in his life and learn the true character of the man, for, in his last entry in his diary before the battle, he makes peace with his maker. And now we come to that wonderful spectacular picture of the real battle of Trafalgar. We see the ships in action, the firing of the guns, the ships caught on fire and then the camera switches to a close view of the deck of the Victory where human life is sacrificed by the hundreds, the fighting top of the Redoubtable, the fatal shot and Nelson's fall. We then see that wonderful character in his death, the solemnity, the beauty and the pathos of it all being carried out by the Edison players in all its grandeur; his farewell to Captain Hardy, the last kiss, the news of the victory and finally his death.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

A peasant girl sent to make a claim on her family's ancestral home in England's Wessex is seduced and left with child by its current owner.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Battle of Trafalgar perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

Arthur Stillman, the senior member of the firm of Stillman and Thornton, cotton goods manufacturers of Rockton, Mass., has closed his mills under the pretense that he cannot obtain cotton to operate, but really because he has conceived the plan of secretly buying cotton and storing it for the rise in price that he knows will come. The town of Rockton is entirely dependent upon the mills for its existence and the closing of the mills causes great suffering and even starvation. Dell Hamilton, daughter of an old mill dyer and a favorite with her people by reason of her sweet character and true sympathy with them, is probably the one in Rockton who suffers most. Her lover, Sam Lloyd, in despair at his inability to provide for his mother and sick sister, receives a note from a friend suggesting that if he can get to Springdale, a town nine miles distant, that he may get a job as fireman in a certain mill. On his way home, he accidentally comes upon a large warehouse which he learns is filled with cotton bales, and upon careful inquiry he finds that the cotton is being stored there by Stillman and Thornton. In a flash the true state of affairs is recognized by him and spurred on by bitter anger he makes his way back to Rockton, where he meets some of his mates and makes known his discovery. The news spreads throughout the town and groups of mill hands gather here and there voicing their indignation. Bill Slinger, a great strapping big-hearted fellow and a favorite among them is selected as a leader to get them either justice or revenge. Dell, in horror, goes to Stillman's house to warn him of his danger. She pleads with Stillman to open the mills and give work to the people and tries to soften his heart with her stories of the condition of the people. Stillman, whose passion for the girl has been growing stronger day by day, finally tells her that he will open the mills upon one condition, that is that she marry him. Stillman hastily arranges an illegal marriage with Dell. The girl believes she is to become his lawful wife, but Stillman has no such intention. The ceremony is performed and they repair to Stillman's home in the country. Dell writes her father of her marriage to Stillman, but he intercepts the letter and substitutes one supposed to come from a certain friend saying that Dell will not be home that night because she is going to watch by the body of the dead boy, Bennie. In the meantime Stillman's love for the girl is growing genuine and she becomes the one thing in the world that he desires and his one fear is that she may learn the secret of the illegal life. Dell returns to the mill and is indignantly repulsed by her former friends. Her father in a bitter scene renounces her and in utter dejection she finds her way to the boiler room of the mill seeking Sam, from whom she at least expects sympathy. She meets with the same treatment at Sam's hands and in fact is informed by this that he has entirely forgotten her and is to be married to another. Dell has heard the conversation between Stillman and Sam and a revelation comes to her. She realizes the true condition. She knows that Stillman is the real love and slowly and sadly she walks to him as she asks him to take her back.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

A successful stage actress with a hidden past as a criminal is kept on the path of righteousness by a benefactor.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Tess of the D'Urbervilles perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

Detective Kate Kirby discovers that a ship captain has been sent on a doomed voyage by his rival for the affections of the shipowner's daughter.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Daughter of the People perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

News is received by Sir Jeoffrey, a dissolute roué, whose contempt for the other sex extends even to his own daughters, of the arrival of another female child in the family. The mother dies shortly after, and the child, Clorinda, is brought up among the servants without a guiding hand. True to his vow to ignore his offspring, Sir Jeoffrey does not come in contact with Clo, until her sixth year, when he finds her playing with his powder horn in the great hall of his castle, Wildair, and sternly upbraids her. The child, who has inherited her father's courage and strength of will, shows no fear, and grasping a riding crop beats Sir Jeoffrey with all the fury of her tiny wrath. Her spirit and daring attract Sir Jeoffrey's attention, and he is delighted to find the child his own. From that moment, he keeps her in his own company, dressed in boy's clothing to obscure her sex, a member of his wanton circle. She grows up in this atmosphere of debauchery, and learns to swear, smoke and drink. Years later, at a hunting lodge, she meets the Duke of Osmonde and other great gentlemen, who are shocked at her male attire and masculine manners. In a spirit of pious benevolence, Lord Twenlow sends his chaplain to Wildair Hall to censure Sir Jeoffrey for permitting his daughter to grow up in this wild style. Clo overhears the Chaplain's remonstrances and realizes the true significance of her reckless habits. Meantime, her notoriety has reached London, and Sir John Oxon, the beau ideal of the town, lays a wager that he will win the heart of Clo, not as a hoyden, but as a woman. He arrives at Wildair Hall on Clo's birthday-night, and banters her on her claims to masculine prowess. Stung by his derision to prove she has all the attributes of a man, she challenges him to a duel, in which Sir John Oxon is badly worsted. However, his sarcasm has had definite effect and at the striking of the midnight hour, she gives the toast to the assembled noblemen: "Behold me for the last time clad in trousers." Later she appears in the Hall dressed in all the finery of a lady of quality, and from that moment bends every effort to attain that title legitimately. Sir John Oxon piles all his wiles to win her untutored heart, and she finally falls a victim to his flattery. Secretly she meets him in the rose garden, but publicly she slights him in the great halls. Nevertheless, Oxon wins her confidence, and she bestows her first kiss upon his lips, but not without a price, for at that moment he steals one of her raven curls, the proof of his wager. He hastens back to London to boast of his conquest, but in an intoxicated moment he hides the curl for safe-keeping, forgetting where. Clo waits for his return and is shocked when she receives news from London that he is to wed a wealthy lady of title. At this critical moment in her life the old Earl of Dunstanwolde asks her hand in marriage, and piqued at having thrown her affections so idly away, she accepts. A half hour later, she meets the Duke of Osmonde, and recognizes in him the man she loves. Faithful to her promise, she marries the Earl of Dunstanwolde, and becomes his devoted wife until he dies two years later. Sir John Oxon, having failed to make his match, and aware that Clo now possesses wealth, influence and position, tries to win back the heart he had so ruthlessly cast aside. But Osmonde has triumphed over her affections, causing jealousy and hatred to creep into the heart of Oxon. Chance places again in his hand the lost curl, which he holds over her head as a silken sword. Stunned by the fear that she will lose the love of Osmonde through the accusing evidence of the curl in an intensely dramatic scene in which Oxon attempts to force his embraces upon her, she strikes him across the temple with her riding crop. He falls to the floor. She lashes him, the pale still body lies there, dead. At that moment guests arrive, she conceals the body under the couch, and in the dead of night she drags it down into the deep cellar. For years afterwards, she atones for her sin by paying Oxon's debts, consoling the women had he wronged, and in other ways undoing the evil he had wrought.

Dir: J. Searle Dawley

A canal boat captain disowns his daughter when she marries a circus performer. Years later he is reunited with the granddaughter he never knew.