Volume II: Filmography

THE KEEPER OF THE LIGHT

(Princess)

August 28, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (978 feet)

Character: Drama

Director: Arthur Ellery

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Morgan Jones (John McCabe), Muriel Ostriche (Ruth), John Reinhard (Will Banks), Boyd Marshall (George Davies), Marie Rainford (his mother), Dave Keleher, J.S. Murray, D. DeVernon, and Edward N. Hoyt (wreckers)

Locations: City Island, Bronx, New York; Execution Light in New Rochelle harbor on Long Island Sound.

ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, August 29, 1914:

"In producing The Keeper of the Light recently, Arthur Ellery, director of the Princess Company, desiring to take scenes at Execution Light in the Sound, had a scaffold 75 feet high erected from the top of the light, so as to place the camera about 15 feet away. It was a hazardous undertaking for Charlie Van Houten and his crew to perform, but Ellery wanted realism and got it. It was said to be the first time the light was approached from that angle."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, August 22, 1914:

"The light of Gresham Island for many years has guided ships through the dangerous reefs into safe waters. The lighthouse keeper, John McCabe, lives on the island with his granddaughter, Ruth, and his assistant, Will Banks. Ruth falls in love with George Davies, a wealthy young man from the mainland. When Will learns of this, he steps aside in favor of Davies, though he long has loved Ruth in silence. Davies' mother objects to the match. She writes Ruth a letter telling her that she has neither the birth nor the education to make a fit wife for George, and Ruth breaks the engagement. Her reason for doing so, however, she conceals from her lover. But Will Banks finds it out and tells George. Davies comes to the lighthouse, confident that he can induce Ruth to change her mind. But she is firm in her refusal to marry him. Soon after this, John McCabe is called away. Knowing of his absence, a gang of wreckers try to prevent the light from being lit. While Banks is holding the besiegers at bay, Ruth climbs the tower and lights the great lamp. All night she keeps her vigil in her grandfather's place, and the ships pass in safety. She is mortally wounded by a shot from one of the wreckers, but the girl clings to her post until dawn brings the rescuers. Before Ruth dies, scarcely twenty-four hours later, the story of her heroism is in every mouth. George Davies, grief stricken, finds his mother shamed and silenced."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, December 24, 1914:

"A pretty little story of a conventional nature, staged in and around a real lighthouse, which makes a setting as unusual as it is effective. The piece is charmingly acted by the delightful young actress, Miss Muriel Ostriche, and the photography is quite faultless. The climax of the story might have been made stronger, and it is a great pity that it is brought to so tragic a conclusion, since the general character of the play certainly does not call for a gloomy ending."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, August 23, 1914:

"The little daughter of the lighthouse keeper holds the fort against a gang of wreckers and by keeping the light lit guides the passing ships to safety. She is shot by one of the wreckers, but before she dies her lover's mother, who has opposed the match, is forced to admit the heroism."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, September 12, 1914:

"This story is located in a lighthouse, where the girl and her grandfather live. It has a tragic close, which would have been stronger if handled more slowly. The girl showed some sign of recovery after the shot was fired, and her subsequent death came unexpectedly. The setting itself is an admirable one and the pictures very good. Muriel Ostriche and Boyd Marshall play the lovers."

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