The story
“Realistic, brilliant and spectacular is The Spirit of the Game, a three-part Thanhouser drama based on the great American game. Life at college, on the campus, in the ‘gyms’ and the class rooms is depicted on the screen with vivid realism, and throughout is woven one of the prettiest stories of the heart ever presented on a motion picture screen.
“The Spirit of the Game deals with a college idol who was forced to make the college ‘eleven’ through his love for a pretty co-ed. Though having no great love for the game, he nevertheless sought and obtained a position on the team. But the best he could do was to be assigned to the leftover squad. It was the day before the big game, the winning of which meant so much to the college. That night the left-over stood at the window of his room, watching Captain Dick Thorton as he walked across the campus. The rules forbid Thorton, or any other member of the team, being abroad at night. Two hours later the left-over found Thorton drunk in the rear room of a notorious resort. Dragging Dick back to the campus, the left-over came upon the idol’s sweetheart. Quickly he rushed the drunken man behind a bush, keeping him there until the girl had passed.
“The big game was on. In the stand the girl watched the pathetic figure of the man she loved. She was quick to realize the cause. In the dressing room the left-over sat alone. Suddenly Thorton collapsed. ‘Take my place,’ he commanded of the left-over. Quickly the left-over stepped forward, then stopped. A desperate scheme suggested itself. He was the same size and build as Thorton! In a moment he had changed uniforms with Dick and at the bell took his place in the line up. That college game went down in history. The supposed Thorton seemed to suddenly come to life. His plays were not only snappy, but so puzzling to the other side that they could do nothing with him. Of a sudden the hero faltered, then fell prostrate. His nose guard was knocked from his face. Then came the revelations.”
Summary from Reel Life · 5 February 1916
