The Exploits of Elaineis a 1914 Americanfilm serialin thedamsel in distressgenre ofThe Perils of Pauline(1914).
| The Exploits of Elaine | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster for Chapter 13 | |
| Directed by | Louis J. Gasnier George B. Seitz Leopold Wharton Theodore Wharton |
| Written by | Charles W. Goddard George B. Seitz Basil Dickey Arthur B. Reeve |
| Produced by | Leopold Wharton Theodore Wharton George B. Seitz |
| Starring | Pearl White Arnold Daly Sheldon Lewis |
| Distributed by | Pathé Exchange Whartons Studio |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent(Englishintertitles) |
The Exploits of Elainetells the story of a young woman named Elaine who, with the help of a detective, tries to find the man, known only as "The Clutching Hand", who murdered her father.[1]The Clutching Hand was the firstmystery villainto appear in a film serial. The concept was widely used for the remainder of the format's existence.
The serial starsPearl White(who also starred inThe Perils of Pauline),Arnold Daly,Sheldon Lewis,Creighton Hale,andRiley Hatch.Lionel Barrymorehad a small role. The serial was written byArthur B. Reeve(novel),Charles W. Goddard,andGeorge B. Seitz,and directed byLouis J. Gasnier,Seitz, andLeopold Wharton.The film was produced by theWharton Studioof Ithaca, New York, and distributed byPathé Exchange,the American distribution branch of the French companyPathéat that time. Pathé was the largest film equipment and production company in the world during the first part of the 20th century.
The film was followed in 1915 byThe New Exploits of Elaine.
The serial, which is extant, was named to the United StatesNational Film Registryin 1994 for its cultural and historic importance.[2][3]
Cast
edit- Pearl White- Elaine Dodge
- Arnold Daly- DetectiveCraig Kennedy
- Creighton Hale- Walter Jameson (Ep. 1, 2, 3)
- Raymond Owens- Walter Jameson (Ep. 4–14)
- Sheldon Lewis- Perry Bennett / The Clutching Hand. Sheldon Lewis, as the handsome attorney Perry Bennett and The Clutching Hand, was "the first in the serial genre's long parade of unknown menaces."[4][5]
- Edwin Arden- Wu Fang
- Leroy Baker - The Butler
- Bessie Wharton - Aunt Josephine, Mrs. Dodge
- Riley Hatch- President Dodge (as William Riley Hatch)
- Robin H. Townley - Limpy Red
- Floyd Buckley- Michael
- Lionel Barrymore- Undetermined Role
- M.W. Rale - Wong Lang Sin, aYellow Perilcharacter, who wants the Clutching Hand's treasure map. He became just an agent of Wu Fang in the sequel. Wu Fang appeared in several Pearl White serials.[6]
Production
editThe Exploits of Elainewas based on a book in the "Craig Kennedy,Scientific Detective "series by Arthur B. Reeve.[4]It was a prototype for the scientific mystery serials but has less interest for later audiences. A lot of the technology and science demonstrated in the serial soon became out of date or considered mundane. For example, the serial has to explain the concept offingerprintingin dramatic fashion.[4]Nevertheless, the serial was a success on its release and led to two sequels,The New Exploits of Elaine(1915) andThe Romance of Elaine(1915).[4]
Cliffhangers
editSimilar to other film serials, each chapter typically closed with acliffhangerwith Elaine in some physical peril or confronted with a shocking revelation. For example, at the close of Chapter 10 Elaine actually dies. She is then brought back to life in the next chapter by Craig Kennedy.[5]
Critical reception
editIn the opinion of film critic Stedman, this serial is an improvement onThe Perils of Pauline,with better acting, script, and direction.[4]
Chapter titles
edit- The Clutching Hand
- The Twilight Sleep
- The Vanishing Jewels
- The Frozen Safe
- The Poisoned Room
- The Vampire
- The Double Trap
- The Hidden Voice
- The Death Ray
- The Life Current
- The Hour of Three
- The Blood Crystals
- The Devil Worshippers
- The Reckoning
References
edit- ^Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. p. 61.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.
- ^Progressive Silent Film List:The Exploits of Elaineat silentera
- ^"Complete National Film Registry Listing".Library of Congress.Retrieved2020-04-28.
- ^abcdeStedman, Raymond William (1971)."1. Drama by Instalment".Serials: Suspense and Drama By Installment.University of Oklahoma Press. pp.16–18.ISBN978-0-8061-0927-5.
- ^abHarmon, Jim;Donald F. Glut(1973). "1. The Girls" Who Is That Girl in the Buzz Saw? "".The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and Fury.Routledge. p. 7.ISBN978-0-7130-0097-9.
- ^Stedman, Raymond William (1971)."2. The Perils of Success".Serials: Suspense and Drama By Installment.University of Oklahoma Press. pp.39.ISBN978-0-8061-0927-5.
External links
edit
- The Exploits of Elaineessay by Margaret Hennefeld atNational Film Registry[1]
- The Exploits of Elaineessay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry, A&C Black, 2010ISBN0826429777,pages 39 – 40[2]
- The Exploits of ElaineatIMDb
- The Exploits of ElaineatAllMovie
- Reeve, Arthur B. (1915).The Exploits of Elaine; a Detective Novel.New York: Hearst's International Library Company. (via theInternet Archive)
The Exploits Of Elainepublic domain audiobook atLibriVox