Acquitted (1916 film)

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.

Acquitted
Newspaper advertisement
Directed byPaul Powell[1]
Written byRoy Somerville[1][2]
Tod Browning (uncredited)
Based on"Acquitted"[1][3][4]
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
StarringWilfred Lucas
Mary Alden
Bessie Love[5]
CinematographyJohn Leezer[6]
Production
company
Distributed byTriangle Film Corporation
Release date
  • February 6, 1916 (1916-02-06) (U.S.)
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (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.[8][9]

Plot
John Carter (Lucas) is interviewed by the police.

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
Film still showing the Carter family (Lucas, Love, De Rue, and Alden).

Production

Bessie Love wore some of her own clothing as her wardrobe in the film.[12]

Release and reception
Film still featuring Alden, De Rue, and Lucas.

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]

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References
Citations
  1. "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. November 27, 1915. p. 3.
  2. Wlaschin, Ken (April 28, 2009). Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-7864-4350-5.
  3. Goble, Alan, ed. (September 8, 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. p. 662. ISBN 978-3-11-095194-3.
  4. Rinehart, Mary Roberts (February 1907). "Acquitted". Pearson's Magazine. Vol. 17 no. 2. p. 225.
  5. "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. January 29, 1916. p. 4.
  6. Love 1977, p. 148
  7. "Lucas Starred by Griffith". Motography. Vol. 15 no. 9. February 26, 1916. p. 450.
  8. Bennett, Carl (August 19, 2009). "Progressive Silent Film List: Acquitted". Silent Era.
  9. The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911–20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
  10. "Wilfred Lucas Now a Star". Motography. Vol. 15 no. 3. January 15, 1916. p. 110.
  11. Johnson, Julian (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 100.
  12. Love 1977, pp. 80–82
  13. Platz, Paul Alwyn (March 4, 1916). "Ohio Censor Scissors Snip Without Rhyme or Reason". Motion Picture News. Vol. 13 no. 9. p. 1304.
  14. "The Current Triangle Bill". Motography. Vol. 15 no. 7. February 12, 1916. p. 368.
  15. "Film Reviews". Variety. Vol. 41 no. 9. January 28, 1916. p. 22.
  16. "Messrs. Wilfred Lucas". Photoplay Magazine. Vol. 10 no. 1. June 1916. pp. 97–99.
  17. Julian, Johnson (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 104.
  18. York, Cal (April 1916). "Plays and Players". Photoplay Magazine. p. 110.
Works cited
  • Love, Bessie (1977). From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love. London: Elm Tree Books. OCLC 734075937.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)


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