Volume II: Filmography

THE DESERT TRIBESMAN

March 3, 1914 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels (2,028 feet)

Character: Drama

Cast: James Cruze (the desert tribesman; and also as his own father, the caliph, in a dual role), David H. Thompson (Ben Ibrahim, the Samaritan), Carey L. Hastings (the Caliph's wife), Arthur Ellery (the usurer), Leland Benham, camels from the Thanhouser Zoo

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, February 28, 1914:

"The Desert Tribesman gives James Cruze as the tribesman and as his own father, in the caliph - a protean performance! David Thompson, as the Samaritan, schemes against the caliph's life and almost loses his own. It's a mighty thrilling story. Carey L. Hastings and little Leland Benham have popular parts. The Thanhouser Zoo contributes the camel atmosphere."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 28, 1914:

"Ben Ibrahim, an Arab chief, when captured by a certain caliph, defied all the efforts of the latter to break his spirit. Finally the caliph determined to execute him. On the day set for the Arab chief's execution, however, a son and heir was born to the caliph and in honor of the occasion Ben Ibrahim was set free. The Arab chief, who had shown an unconquerable spirit while his life was in danger, expressed his gratitude to the caliph by taking an oath that if ever danger threatened the caliph or his descendants he would come to his or their aid. Not long afterward the caliph himself died and a usurper, who refused to recognize the infant successor to the throne, set himself up as caliph and threatened the child's life. The infant's mother sent the boy to Ben Ibrahim, reminding the Arab chief of his promise. Ben Ibrahim educated and trained the child in the use of arms until he was a young man, when he revealed to him his high birth. The young caliph determined to retake the throne which rightfully belonged to him and gathered about him some of his father's old followers. He succeeded in establishing an insecure foothold, and when things looked worst called upon Ben Ibrahim to help him. The Arab chief came to his foster son's relief with an army which turned the tide of battle in the young caliph's favor. The young caliph wished to appoint his Arab foster father to an important office, but the latter refused."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 8, 1914:

"A play of the Orient is no cozy thing to produce and get the right sort of light and scenic effects, but it has been done in this two-reel picture with notable success. Also the cast is convincing. The principals are James Cruze and David H. Thompson. Cruze, as the Caliph and then as the Caliph's son, does some particularly effective work. A Caliph, in honor of the birth of a son, released Ben Ibrahim, a chief, who had been sentenced to death. The chief swore to show his gratitude if ever he had a chance. When the Caliph died a usurper seized the throne and his baby son was sent by his mother to the chief with a reminder of his promise. Ben Ibrahim not only cared for the boy, but when he was a young man he sided with him to establish himself on the throne and banish the usurper."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 7, 1914:

"A very entertaining picture, telling the story of Arabia, that is convincing enough not only in its staging, costuming and acting, but in the flavor of the story itself, which seems almost like some bit of history retold. It has been artistically done and is full of little things that please, but the early part of the story in which the baby son of the old caliph is smuggled out of the palace and then saved from the hands of the usurper seems more likely as presented as the coming back of the man full grown to claim his own; yet that fight in the palace is distinctly good and full of life. This picture ought to be popular everywhere. The photography is excellent."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 11, 1914:

"Considering the many difficulties to be met in producing a photoplay representing the life of desert tribes and Eastern potentates, the Thanhouser company deserves much credit for the commendable features of this two-reel production. While not pretentious, the interior sets are adequate, the costumes are appropriate, and the acting does not suffer from the exaggeration so frequently encountered in films of this type. A mistake that might have been avoided in the out-of-door locations intended to represent a desert was the selection of sandy stretches where water appeared - a minor error, no doubt, but harmful to the semblance of reality. The story concerns the son of a Caliph, who is reared to maturity by the tribesman, Ben Ibrahim. When grown to manhood he returns to seize the power that rightfully belongs to him, and in the battle the would-be usurper is assisted to victory by the faithful Ben Ibrahim. It is a well-conceived story of considerable force. Photography is clear."

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