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The Stars and Stripes
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by J. Searle Dawley
Cast: Edwin August
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / Cinematography by [?] J. Searle Dawley and James H. White? / © 1 July 1910 by Edison Manufacturing Company [J143149, J143150, J143151, J143152]. Released 1 July 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 9 July 1910, page ?] John Mayrant has fallen out of favor with Mistress Dorothy Hall, a little lady with whom he is greatly in love, but who does not feel that John is quite as brave and gallant a gentleman as she cares to bestow her heart and hand upon. Chance favors John when a messenger carrying the news of Burgoyne’s surrender, and with sealed orders for Paul Jones, falls wounded at the door of Mistress Dorothy Hall while John is pleading his suit. The messenger being wounded en route, John undertakes the delivery of the message in his place. Arriving on board of Jones’ boat at midnight, John delivers the message to his captain. Paul Jones at once orders all sail to be hoisted. The ‘Stars and Stripes’ are flown to the midnight breeze, and the ship sets sail for Europe with her news of Burgoyne’s surrender, but not before John has succeeded in inducing Paul Jones to take him with him. To win back Mistress Hall’s love and affection is John’s one idea, and how well and how bravely he accomplished this task is shown to the audience in one of the most realistic and startling scenes ever produced on the moving picture screen—the famous sea fight between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. Here are shown the horror and the thrilling glory of the old-time sea fight on board a sailing vessel. The scene between decks is particularly effective. Men stripped to the waist and covered with blood and powder are serving the guns, with the dead and dying lying around and powder monkeys dashing here and there in the smoke of battle. A ball crashes in the side of the vessel and causes death and destruction. The men desert their guns, but John Mayrant drives them back to their post of duty, himself staggering from a half dozen wounds. Next we are shown the upper deck of the Richard. Shells are bursting, cannon roaring, officers hastening hither and thither with orders, while on the poop deck we see Paul Jones, calm, cool, the acme of courage and bravery, calling out his orders, receiving the news that his ship is sinking and fire is destroying it. ‘Take the water that is sinking us and quench the fire that is burning us up!’ is his order. ‘Do you surrender?’ comes the shout from the enemy’s vessel. The reply rings out, ‘Surrender! Why, I am just beginning to fight!’ A moment later, and the Serapis is seen to crash into the Richard. ‘Boarders away!’ rings out the order, and John Mayrant is the first to respond to the call. It is now a hand-to-band conflict. A hundred men leap over the rail upon the enemy’s vessel. The smoke and powder hide them from view. An awful moment of suspense, and then through the haze and fire can be seen John Mayrant clinging to the railing with the surrendered English flag in his hand. Captain Pearson has surrendered, and as he hands his sword to Paul Jones, John Mayrant sinks to the deck. Human endurance could stand no more. He was covered with wounds and glory. That Paul Jones was in the secret of John’s valor, and bravery is indicated in the letter he sent to Mistress Dorothy Hall, recommending the hero to her favor in words of highest praise. How well she obeyed the commander’s orders is shown on John’s return.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 16 July 1910, page ?] Here is a picture that will set every nerve to tingling, will start the blood pulsating more rapidly, and will make you want to stand on your seat and cheer with all the vigor you can command. It tells the story of John Paul Jones, that picturesque founder of the American navy, the first to raise the new flag over a United States vessel, and the stirring fight of the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. The picture throbs with the spirit of ’76. You can hear the roar of the guns; you can hear the shouts of the seamen. The great sea fight passes before you, and you can acquire a more graphic impression of sea-fighting than you ever had before. There is danger stalking abroad, seeking whom it may devour, and there is love. And, floating over it all. the Stars and Stripes, the emblem of the majesty and sovereignty of a mighty people. One scarcely wants anything more thrilling for Independence Day. Moreover, it is historically correct, and will assist materially in interpreting the life, especially the sea life, of that period.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: John Paul Jones - War: War of 1812
Listing updated: 21 August 2023.
References: Pitts-Hollywood pp. 5, 180 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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