Volume II: Filmography

THE CAPTURE OF NEW YORK

a.k.a. THE WAR GAME

September 1, 1912 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Military documentary

Cameramen: Carl Louis Gregory, Francis Newburg

Cast: Beckwith Havens (military aviator in cameo appearance with Curtiss biplane), Lieutenant Milling (military aviator in cameo appearance with Curtiss biplane), 20,000 soldiers in military exercises

Location: Army and National Guard "Blue Army" and "Red Army" military training exercises held in the vicinity of New Canaan, Connecticut. The cameramen spent their nights at a hotel in Bridgeport.

Note: This film was reviewed as The War Game in The New York Dramatic Mirror, July 11, 1912, and some prints were distributed under this title.

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, August 31, 1912:

"See 20th century fighting men in action - how battles are now won by wireless scouting by the amazing aerial squadrons. 20,000 in camp and in battle."

ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, September 7, 1912:

"The Thanhouser Company has been extremely busy in Connecticut during the recent maneuvers of the armies of the Red and Blue. The various military movements have been recorded in motion pictures under expert military guidance and will serve an educational purpose, particularly through the profession of arms in the teaching of military tactics. The sham war was instituted primarily as a practical lesson for army officers in the handling of men and impedimenta. The old guard of American generals is rapidly passing, and there are few of those today in command who have seen actual service in war. It becomes necessary in times of peace to instruct the younger officers in the practical moving of large forces in order that the theory of war may not predominate over the practical side.

"Methods of attack and defense were gone through under conditions that have been modernized by new inventions. For instance, the aeroplane played a prominent part in the war of the Reds and the Blues; also the wireless, the telephone, the automobile and new departures in ordnance equipment. The artillery maneuvers are particularly of interest in showing numerous changes from the older methods. The matter of throwing up entrenchments has been carefully illustrated, together with strategic movements, and charted. The engineering departments were put to many tests in the appliance of modern equipment. Taken together, the battle of the Reds and Blues is a great lesson, not only to the soldier and to the ordinary citizens of the Republic, and the way that war is waged.

"Being sponsored by the United States Government, maneuvers were on an extensive scale and motion pictures of the event were decidedly a part of the government's program. One of the objects is to use them at West Point in the teaching of cadets until other and better war methods have been devised. The Thanhouser 'war correspondents' with cameras followed the victorious Reds and filmed the fight and the preparations for it. They got some special views that will be an education in 20th century fighting methods. The great popular modern 'charger' is the automobile, and its use has been abundantly shown in this Thanhouser picture."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, August 31, 1912:

"This subject shows scenes attending the attempted capture of New York by the Red army in the recent maneuvers in Connecticut. 20,000 men participated in the attack, and the Blue army was steadily driven back to the great city it was defending. All the different forces that made up the victorious Red army are shown in action in the film. The picture starts with the transporting of cavalry and their preparations to move to New Canaan. Then Section A of the Aerial Squadron is shown sending out wireless messages. You see a wireless field set in the hangers of the Aerial Squadron. Some of the other scenes shown are: installing wireless apparatus in Burgess Wright's aeroplane in the Aerial Squadrons, Aviator Lieutenant Milling, U.S.A., and his Curtiss machine. Calvary division of the Blue army. Calvary on 'hike' and heavy marching order. Rear guard of Calvary division leaving camp. Officer's mess. 'Camp canaries.' Army cook tent at a busy hour. 'Roast beef for dinner!' 'Making himself comfortable.' A little game of blackjack. 'His own tailor.' General Tasker Bliss' headquarters. Aviator N.Y.N.G. Beckwith Havens and Curtiss machine. Lieutenant Milling coming down. Aviator Haven's landing after a flight. Haven and Milling taken after a landing. Aviator at work. In addition of the aeroplane and wireless, the use of the army automobile is also demonstrated. Finally the fight commences and the camera takes you after the Red army in their pursuit of the Blues."

REVIEW by Gordon Trent, The Morning Telegraph, August 25, 1912:

"The Thanhouser Company was on the job during the recent 'Connecticut Campaign,' or maneuvers of the army and national guard, and on September 1 will release The Capture of New York, showing the result of their work. Bert Adler tells me the entire picture is made of the kind of stuff that makes you change your mind about wanting to be a soldier. The Thanhouser 'war correspondents' have successfully taken the march to New Canaan of the cavalry, several views of the aerial squadron, aviators Havens and Milling in their aeroplane scouting camp life, and the famous 'camp canaries.' The practical use of the army auto transport is well illustrated. The battle scenes showing the 'Blues' in full retreat under the 'Reds' fire are excellent. A great film for education work and general interest."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, September 8, 1912:

"This topical film pictures many interesting scenes in the recent military maneuvers held in Connecticut when New York City was defended against a supposed enemy. The infantry, artillery, and cavalry actions are well photographed and many closer views of the soldiers in camp and in the center of their mimic hostilities are obtained. It is one of the best taken of such topical films, and the reel is highly instructive from end to end."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, September 14, 1912:

"An educational picture giving views of what took place during the military maneuvers in Connecticut. These glimpses of camp life and of sham battles are well photographed and very acceptable."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, September 11, 1912:

"The film shows a very interesting series of views of the recent army maneuvers when the Red and Blue armies of 20,000 militiamen fought in an encounter than ended in the attempted capture of New York City. The picture is a very clear one and shows the various phases of the campaign, from the transport ship down to the actual encounter and the retreat of the defeated army. The Red army is shown encamped, also the soldiers at play, at meals and taking the calvary horses for a swim, laying telephone and telegraph wires, of field wireless outfit, the aero squadron, with actual flights, including one in which the two biplanes are seen racing, and the engagement, with a view of the scene of battle after the encounter. It makes an exceptionally entertaining feature."

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