Treasure Island (1918 film)

Treasure Island is a 1918 American silent adventure film based on the 1883 novel of the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson. This is one of many silent versions of the story and is noteworthy because it is almost entirely acted by child or teenage actors. The film was co-directed by brothers Sidney and Chester Franklin. The film is one of Fox's Sunset Kiddies productions following in the wake of previous Kiddie productions like Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp. This is a lost film.[1][2]

Treasure Island
Still with Virginia Lee Corbin and Francis Carpenter
Directed byChester Franklin
Sidney Franklin
Written byBernard McConville (scenario)
Based onTreasure Island
1883 novel
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Produced byWilliam Fox
StarringFrancis Carpenter
Virginia Lee Corbin
CinematographyFrank Good
Harry Gerstad
Production
company
Release date
  • January 27, 1918 (1918-01-27)
Running time
6 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[3] Jim Hawkins (Carpenter) and his mother operate the Admiral Ben Bow Inn, and when they are threatened by an attack by pirates they go to the home of their friend, the squire, for the night. Mrs. Hawkins (Washington) hands the squire a package she found in a chest that was owned by Billy Bones, one of her boarders who had died. The squire discovers a map showing the location of treasure buried by someone named Flint. Jim, overhearing the squire's plans to recover the treasure, goes to sleep and dreams that he, Louise (Corbin), and a ship's crew have set out to find the gold. Long John Silver (Radcliffe), their first mate, is a crook and with some of the men plan to rob Jim and Louise of the treasure. After a fight on the island and the killing off of Long John Silver's men, Long John Silver joins Jim and his gang and through Ben Gunn (Sargent) they find the treasure. Just as Jim is about to distribute it, he wakes up.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911-20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
  2. ^ Progressive Silent Film List: Treasure Island at silentera.com
  3. ^ "Reviews: Treasure Island". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (3). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 26. January 12, 1918.
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