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A Heroine of ’76
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Edwin S. Porter and/or Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley?
Cast: Lois Weber [the tavern keeper’s daughter], Phillips Smalley [the tavern keeper], Gordon Sackville [George Washington]
Rex Motion Picture Masterpiece Company production; distributed by Motion Picture Distributing & Sales Company. / Released 16 February 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The first Rex production.
Drama: Historical.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? General Washington, riding towards headquarters, is overtaken by a severe snowstorm and forced to seek shelter at a wayside tavern. Shortly before his arrival, a party of British soldiers had visited the tavern and posted a placard offering a bountiful reward for the capture of Washington, dead or alive. Upon his entrance, he is recognized by the description and a plot is arranged to assassinate him. It falls to the lot of the tavern keeper to do the deed. His daughter, a staunch and loyal patriot, overhears their conversation and determines to save Washington’s life. Through a ruse, she causes him to change his room and herself takes possession of the one he vacates, and after a silent prayer, she retires. At midnight, the plotters urge the tavern keeper to begin the murderous assault, and climbing the stairs, he enters the room occupied by his daughter, and after a moment that is like an eternity, he leaves the room, trembling, penitent, afraid to think, fearful of memories. He sits brooding by the fireplace all night. Remorse, remorse, it tugs at his heart strings. It points an accusing finger at him. He suffers on until weary and exhausted, he falls asleep. At daybreak, Washington descends the stairs and arouses the sleeper, who imagines Washington a spirit. The most terrible punishment of murder is the memory of it. Washington departs and the tavern keeper begins to believe the happenings of the night were but a weird dream, but a glance at the knife upon the floor, covered with blood, convinces him of the realism of the events, convinces him, and arouses within him a feeling of horror. At this moment, his daughter, clinging to the banisters, staggers down the stairs, totters and falls dying in her father’s arms. A glance at her breast discloses a red stain and he realizes he has unwittingly killed his own child. This little heroine sacrificed her life at the shrine of liberty and as such her memory is hallowed.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 4 March 1911, page ?] The first release of any producer is always awaited with much interest. It may be interesting to know that from a business standpoint this release has been one of the marked successes of the year. Long before the release the exchanges were receiving premiums for booking it and any manager who booked it early, could have sold out at a good profit any time previous to the release. Moreover, these premium bookings extend some time into the future. Undoubtedly this interest is justified. The picture is all the producers claimed it would be before it was released. It is one of the best historical pictures ever put on the screen, and while it may not be based upon an actual occurrence, it is something which might have happened, and, therefore, does not transcend the probabilities. That a girl should voluntarily offer her life in the manner shown to save that of Washington, gives the picture a strong dramatic and romantic interest, and the acting is quite up to the standard required to maintain the unities. Staging has been attended to with great care and costuming, and settings are historically accurate. It would be difficult to offer suggestions for improvement. The release previous to Washington’s Birthday, but during the season while the thoughts of a large number of people are turned toward him, adds interest to the film and assists in making it of more than ordinary importance. The photography is clear most of the length of the film, only here and there a weak spot is noted, and possibly that is due to an uneven current. As a whole, the picture is satisfactory. It tells a dramatic story clearly, its setting is historically accurate, and the actors have become imbued with the spirit which is plainly manifested in the film. Managers have evidently made no mistake in bidding up the price. They will find it a superior attraction.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) - Assassination attempts - George Washington
Listing updated: 15 April 2024.
References: Pitts-Hollywood p. 4 : Website-IMDb.
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