The Campbells are Coming
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Four reels
Directed by Francis Ford
Cast: Francis Ford [Nana Sahib], Grace Cunard [the Scotch lassie], Mr. Denecke (F.J. Denecke) [Campbell], Duke Worne [Azimooah, Nana’s agent], Harry Schumm [the lassie’s sweetheart], Lew Short [the lassie’s father], Jack Ford (John Ford), Jack Holt, [?] Eddie Polo?
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Gold Seal; A Broadway Universal Feature]. / Produced by Francis Ford. Scenario by Grace Cunard, from an adaptation by Grace Cunard of a short story by Emerson Hough. / © 6 October 1915 by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [LP6569]. Released 18 October 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Eddie Polo worked on props (nets) for the film.
Drama: Historical.
Synopsis: Synopsis available in AFI-F1 n. F1.0582.
Reviews: [Variety, 1 October 1915, page 19] A Universal (Broadway Feature) four-reeler, founded on the historical Sepoy uprising in 1857, when “the day was saved” by the timely arrival of the famous Scotch regiment. The scenario is by Grace Cunard and was produced by Francis Ford, who also have the leading roles. The love story is subordinated to the numerous sanguinary conflicts between the English army and the Sepoys, which create furious action almost from the start. These battles permit the photographing of vast exteriors with remarkably effective perspectives and nothing could possibly be more thrilling than the bareback riding of the natives. Trained acrobats have undoubtedly been employed for dangerous falls from horses while going at full speed. The English, while defending a garrison, are artistically made up to depict the horrors which they are undergoing in defense of their womenfolk. Ford plays the sinister, treacherous, murderous Nana Sahib in a manner to make one’s blood run cold and Miss Cunard handles effectively the sweet Scotch lassie who undergoes untold tortures in anticipation of being consigned to the harem of the unconscionable villain. Hundreds of people are employed to portray the English soldiers and natives, and all of them are well drilled to create violent conflict. “The Campbells Are Coming” is a corking picture. Jolo
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Crime: Murder (Attempted) - Escapes - Espionage: Spies - India: Lucknow - Rescues - Scots
Listing updated: 14 October 2009.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.0582; Braff-Universal n. 1143; Lahue-Continued p. 29; Tarbox-Lost pp. 235, 254 : ClasIm-224 p. 43; Variety-19151001 p. 19 : Documentary-Slide : Website-AFI.
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