Volume II: Filmography

IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

 

November 16, 1915 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels

Character: Drama

Cast: Morris Foster (Albert, the young officer), Inda Palmer (Constance, his mother)

Note: The release date was listed as November 18, 1915 in some schedules.

ARTICLE, Reel Life, November 13, 1915:

"A drama of timely significance.... This strong story of a woman spy and the firing squad draws its analogies from incidents of the world war, and is full of intense situations and graphic action. The part of Albert, the young officer, is played by Morris Foster. Constance, his mother, is a wonderful portrayal of womanly courage, in the hands of Inda Palmer, the talented Thanhouser star. The actual conditions of so-called 'civilized' warfare are vividly presented. It is a drama to make people feel - and go away thinking."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, November 13, 1915:

"A powerful nation declares war against a small country, whose former ally fails to come to its assistance. It is necessary to send an envoy in disguise through the enemy's lines to plead the small country's cause. Albert, a young officer, whose father had died fighting for his native land, is chosen for the mission. Constance, the young man's mother, suggests that she be permitted to go with Albert. The premier consents. Mother and son slip through the enemy's lines. They reach the headquarters of their former ally and present their appeal, receiving in return a message in cipher to the effect that the ally will hurl its armies at the foe of the small country. Retracing their journey, Albert is recognized by officers of the enemy. He and his mother are captured. The message in cipher is discovered, and both are sentenced to die. Realizing, however, that it will be the most dreadful punishment of all for the mother to have to stand by and see her son shot, the enemy sends Albert out alone to face the firing squad. Constance is compelled to prepare to witness his execution. At the last moment she is told that if she will reveal the meaning of the cipher, her son's life shall be spared. Constance declares that the ally has refused to help the little country. That night, the army of the benefactor takes possession of the village where the enemy is encamped. Constance's clever mendacity is now apparent. Convoyed by officers of the allies, however, she and Albert reach their own country in safety."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, November 13, 1915:

"A two-reel military production in which a mother accompanies her son through the lines of the enemy to carry a message to an ally. By wrongly interpreting the code to the enemy she saves her son from being shot, and in the meantime a successful attack is made on the enemy. The picture is a fairly good one."

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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.