Riddle Gawne
| Riddle Gawne | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by |
William S. Hart Lambert Hillyer |
| Produced by |
William S. Hart Thomas H. Ince |
| Written by | Charles Alden Seltzer |
| Starring |
Lon Chaney William S. Hart |
| Cinematography | Joseph H. August |
Production company |
William S. Hart Productions |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Riddle Gawne is a 1918 American silent Western film directed by William S. Hart and Lambert Hillyer and featuring Lon Chaney. Considered lost for decades, one of the five reels was found to have survived in a Russian archive, and is kept in the film archive of the Library of Congress.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Hame Bozzam (Chaney) ruled Bozzam City and the only one to dispute his claim was Jefferson "Riddle" Gawne (Hart). An open breach in hostilities occurred when Kathleen Harkness (MacDonald), daughter of Colonel Harkness (Tilton), arrived in the west. Protecting her from insult, Riddle shoots two of Bozzam's men. Unknown to the young woman, her father is a member of Bozzam's cattle rustlers, and Bozzam holds this over his head so that he can marry Kathleen. Riddle's reputation suffers at their hands, and Kathleen repudiates him. Riddle then determines to clean up the town, and in the fight that follows Bozzam kidnaps his niece as well as Kathleen after fatally wounding her father. Riddle, lone handed, pursues the fleeing man and his companions. In the struggle that follows, Bozzam is killed and Riddle wins the love of Kathleen.
Cast
- William S. Hart as Jefferson "Riddle" Gawne
- Katherine MacDonald as Kathleen Harkness
- Lon Chaney as Hame Bozzam
- Gretchen Lederer as Blanche Dillon
- Gertrude Short as Jane Gawne
- Edwin B. Tilton as Colonel Harkness
- Milton Ross as Reb Butler
- George Field as "Nigger" Paisley
- Leon De La Mothe as Jess Cass (credited as Leon Kent)
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Riddle Gawne was subject to restrictions and cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required cuts, in Reel 1, scene of woman at bar, Reel 2, two scenes of woman at bar, scene of Riddle shooting man in back, the intertitle "Blanche Dillon, former dance hall girl, now Bozzam's 'housekeeper'" and all scenes young woman in Bozzam's house, scene of Bozzam slugging Jess Cass with gun, Reel 3, man shooting Riddle from horse, the inertitle "She may be a good nurse, but she ain't the sort of woman I want" etc., Reel 5, Bozzam shooting woman's father, shooting Riddle, and vision scene with shooting of Riddle's brother.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Progressive Silent Film List: Riddle Gawne". silentera.com. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
- ↑ "Reviews: Riddle Gawne". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (10): 27. August 31, 1918.
- ↑ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 7 (11): 57. September 7, 1918.
External links
- Riddle Gawne at the Internet Movie Database
- Period advertisement for showing of the film at Sid Grauman's "Million Dollar Theater" downtown Los Angeles
- Still of the cast at silenthollywood.com
