Acquitted is a 1916 American silent mystery film[2] produced by the Fine Arts Film Company and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. Paul Powell directed a screenplay by Roy Somerville based on a 1907 short story by Mary Roberts Rinehart.[1][3] Tod Browning served as an uncredited writer.[citation needed]
| Acquitted | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper advertisement | |
| Directed by | Paul Powell[1] |
| Written by | Roy Somerville[1][2] Tod Browning (uncredited) |
| Based on | "Acquitted"[1][3][4] by Mary Roberts Rinehart |
| Starring | Wilfred Lucas Mary Alden Bessie Love[5] |
| Cinematography | John Leezer[6] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Triangle Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
This film marks the first starring role of Wilfred Lucas,[7] and may mark Bessie Love's film debut. The film is presumed lost, possibly due to the 1965 MGM vault fire.[8][9]
Plot edit
The police accuse innocent bookkeeper John Carter (Lucas) of having committed the murder of a cashier. A reporter, who is in love with Carter's daughter (Love), proves that Carter is innocent. After a time, Carter's daughter convinces his former employer to hire him back.[2][10][11]
Cast edit
- Wilfred Lucas as John Carter
- Mary Alden as Mrs. Carter
- Bessie Love as Helen Carter
- Carmen De Rue as Nellie Carter
- Elmer Clifton as Ned Fowler
- Sam de Grasse as Ira Wolcott
- W.J. Freemont as the night watchman
- Spottiswoode Aitken as Charles Ryder
- James O'Shea as the police chief
- F.A. Turner as the police captain
Production edit
Bessie Love wore some of her own clothing as her wardrobe in the film.[12]
Release and reception edit
The film was heavily censored in Ohio, with scenes of violence and drug sales and use removed before distribution.[13]
The film was well-reviewed.[14][15] Wilfred Lucas received positive reviews for his performance in the lead role, as did Powell's direction.[14][16][17] Bessie Love was positively likened to her contemporaries Mary Pickford and Mae Marsh.[18]
References edit
- Citations
- ^ a b c d "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. November 27, 1915. p. 3.
- ^ a b c Wlaschin, Ken (April 28, 2009). Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-7864-4350-5.
- ^ a b Goble, Alan, ed. (September 8, 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. p. 662. ISBN 978-3-11-095194-3.
- ^ Rinehart, Mary Roberts (February 1907). "Acquitted". Pearson's Magazine. Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 225.
- ^ "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. January 29, 1916. p. 4.
- ^ Love 1977, p. 148
- ^ "Lucas Starred by Griffith". Motography. Vol. 15, no. 9. February 26, 1916. p. 450.
- ^ Bennett, Carl (August 19, 2009). "Progressive Silent Film List: Acquitted". Silent Era.
- ^ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911–20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
- ^ "Wilfred Lucas Now a Star". Motography. Vol. 15, no. 3. January 15, 1916. p. 110.
- ^ Johnson, Julian (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 100.
- ^ Love 1977, pp. 80–82
- ^ Platz, Paul Alwyn (March 4, 1916). "Ohio Censor Scissors Snip Without Rhyme or Reason". Motion Picture News. Vol. 13, no. 9. p. 1304.
- ^ a b "The Current Triangle Bill". Motography. Vol. 15, no. 7. February 12, 1916. p. 368.
- ^ "Film Reviews". Variety. Vol. 41, no. 9. January 28, 1916. p. 22.
- ^ "Messrs. Wilfred Lucas". Photoplay Magazine. Vol. 10, no. 1. June 1916. pp. 97–99.
- ^ Julian, Johnson (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 104.
- ^ York, Cal (April 1916). "Plays and Players". Photoplay Magazine. p. 110.
- Works cited
External links edit
- Acquitted at IMDb
- Acquitted at AllMovie
- Acquitted at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Acquitted at the TCM Movie Database
- Acquitted at the British Film Institute[better source needed]
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