The Spirit of the USA
The Spirit of the USA is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Emory Johnson and written by Emilie Johnson. The film stars Johnnie Walker and Mary Carr. The film was released on May 18, 1924 by FBO.[1][2]
| The Spirit of the USA | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper Movie Ad | |
| Directed by | Emory Johnson |
| Produced by | Pat Powers Emory Johnson |
| Written by | Emilie Johnson Story and Screenplay |
| Starring | Johnnie Walker |
| Cinematography | Ross Fischer |
| Distributed by | Film Booking Offices of America |
Release date |
|
Running time | 9 reels |
| Country | USA |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles |
Plot
Emily Johnson claimed Woodrow Wilson inspired this story. This film takes place during World War I.[3]
Johnnie Walker and Gloria Gray
Thomas Gains Carl Stockdale and his wife, Mary Mary Carr play a couple living on a farm with their two sons. Her oldest son is Johnnie played by Johnnie Walker. Her youngest son is named Silas played by Cuyler Supplee.
In April 1917, the U.S. joins the allies, declares war against Germany and enters World War I. Overwhelmed with a sense of duty, Johnnie immediately wants to enlist in the Army. He is rejected. He then enlists in the Salvation Army and is shipped to Europe. His lazy cowardly brother shrugs his duty, takes over the farm and marries Zelda Burrows played by Rosemary Cooper. Zelda father, John Burrows played by Mark Fenton, wants to acquire the Gains farm to build a dam – legally or otherwise.
Zelda teases Silas for staying home during the war. Showing Zelda, he’s not a coward, Silas enlists in the Army. Silas is shipped to France and dies on the battlefield. Learning of her husband’s death, Zelda takes control of the farm. Her father’s lawyer, Jim Fuller played by Dave Kirby claims Johnnie has also been killed in Europe. Zelda promptly evicts Thomas and Mary from their home. Then Zelda claims the farm along with her father. Her father starts to build his dam.
Suddenly, Johnnie returns home. Everyone thought he had died in battle. After his return, he starts to restore order. Johnnie tosses Zelda off the farm, blows up the dam and restores the property to his parents. Then Johnnie finds out his sweetheart – Gretchen played by Gloria Grey has been patiently waiting for him. Johnnie marries Gretchen and they live happily ever after.[4]
Cast
Actor Role Johnnie Walker Johnnie Gains Mary Carr Mary Gains Carl Stockdale Thomas Gains Mark Fenton John J. Burrows William S. Hooser Otto Schultz Gloria Grey Gretchen Schultz Rosemary Cooper Zelda Burrows David Kirby Jim Fuller Cuyler Supplee Silas Gains Dick Brandon Little Johnnie Gains Newton House Little Silas Gains Richard Morris Grandpa Gains
Production
The photoplay original name was - Swords and Plowshares.[5]
Emory Johnson and the cast spent several weeks shooting the movie in the vicinity of the Presidio, San Francisco.
The action scenes were filmed near Hollywood. Emory selected an area where the terrain mimicked the European battlegrounds of World War I. To make the battle scenes more realistic, Emory used High Explosives, fake Gas Shells and mines. Many of the local residents began to think the Japanese had started to invade California.
The area where the battle scenes were filmed was left so pock-marked, considerable effort was needed to make the land usable again.[6]
Preservation Status
According to the Library of Congress website, no known copies of this movie survive.[7]
References
- The Spirit of the USA The AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- "Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List". www.silentera.com.
- "Idealism of Woodrow Wilson Inspired Theme of New Film". The Moving Picture World. The World Photographic Publishing Company. March 1, 1924. p. 31.
- The Spirit of the USA @ TCM.com
- The Spirit of the USA on IMDb
- ">"AT THE PALACE". Conway Springs Star (Northfield, Kansas). July 17, 1924. p. 7 – via genealogybank.com.
- "The Spirit Of The U. S. A / Emory Johnson [motion picture]". www.loc.gov/film-and-videos/.