The Coward is a 1915 American silent historical war drama film directed by Reginald Barker and produced by Thomas H. Ince. Ince also wrote the film's scenario with C. Gardner Sullivan, from a story Ince had bought from writer (and future director) Edward Sloman. The film stars Frank Keenan and Charles Ray.[2] John Gilbert also appears in an uncredited bit part.[3] A copy of The Coward is preserved at the Museum of Modern Art.[4]
| The Coward | |
|---|---|
 Film poster. | |
| Directed by | Reginald Barker |
| Screenplay by | Thomas H. Ince C. Gardner Sullivan |
| Story by | Edward Sloman Thomas H. Ince |
| Produced by | Thomas H. Ince |
| Starring | Charles Ray Frank Keenan Gertrude Claire Margaret Gibson |
| Cinematography | Joseph H. August Robert S. Newhard |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Triangle Kay-Bee Enterprise Distributing Corporation (re-release) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent English intertitles |
| Budget | $17,922[1] |
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Plot edit
During the American Civil War, a Virginia colonel forces at gunpoint his weak-willed son to enlist in the Confederate States Army. He is terrified by the war and deserts during a battle and struggles to overcome his cowardice.
Cast edit
- Frank Keenan as Col. Jefferson Beverly Winslow
- Charles Ray as Frank Winslow
- Gertrude Claire as Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow
- Nick Cogley as a Negro Servant
- Charles K. French as a Confederate Commander
- Margaret Gibson as Amy
- Minnie Provost as Mammy
- John Gilbert as a Young Virginian (uncredited)
- Bob Kortman as a Union Officer (uncredited)
- Leo Willis as a Union Soldier (uncredited)
Reception edit
The Coward was both a critical and financial success and helped to launch Charles Ray's career.[3]
Criticism edit
Unusually at the time, the main character is not presented as a gallant Southerner who is eager to fight in the war.[5]
The acting in this film was much more natural than earlier films, with cutting and camera angles helping the actor's use of facial expressions and pauses to convey dramatic tension.[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Taves, Brian (2012). Thomas Ince: Hollywood's Independent Pioneer. University Press of Kentucky. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-813-13422-2.
- ^ Langman, Larry; Ebner, David, eds. (2001). Hollywood's Image Of the South: A Century Of Southern Films. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 23. ISBN 0-313-31886-7.
- ^ a b Golden, Eve (2013). John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0-813-14163-3.
- ^ The Coward at silentera.com
- ^ Campbell, Jr., Edward D. C. (1981). The Celluloid South: Hollywood and the Southern Myth. University of Tennessee Press. pp. 62–63. ISBN 0-87049-327-2.
- ^ Bowser, Eileen (1994). The Transformation of Cinema. University of California Press. p. 57. ISBN 0-520-08534-5.
External links edit
- The Coward at AllMovie
- The Coward at IMDb
