Volume II: Filmography

THE VETERAN'S SWORD

(Princess)

July 17, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,042 feet)

Character: Drama

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Morgan Jones (Colonel Saunders), Boyd Marshall (John Boyd), Muriel Ostriche (his wife), Charles Horan (Wendell, Boyd's employer)

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, July 18, 1914:

"Col. Saunders, a veteran of the Civil War, cherishes a sword presented to him for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg. John Boyd, a young married man and a friend of the veteran, is accused of theft and placed in prison. Col. Saunders and Mrs. Boyd appeal in vain to Boyd's employer to obtain the young man's release. The employer consents on condition that Col. Saunders give him his Gettysburg sword which he has long coveted. The veteran makes the sacrifice but incurs the displeasure of his old commandery comrades who believe, because of his silence, that he has disposed of the weapon for money. Boyd's innocence is proved and his young wife explains his act to the veterans. Soon after Col. Saunders regains his sword, and his comrades celebrate the event in the old colonel's home."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, November 26, 1914:

"A somewhat artificial little story, which is, however, made convincing by the wonderfully natural manner in which it is presented. It deals with an old American soldier's love for his sword and the sacrifice he makes in connection therewith to save the happiness of two young people. Although the patriotic sentiments involved are necessarily American, that should not alienate the sympathies of British audiences. The old soldier's attempt at suicide, when he finds that his comrades wrongly suspect him of an unworthy action, is rather out of the character, but that is a very small point. Altogether, in spite of a few weaknesses of plot, the film is quite pretty and effective, and it may safely be recommended."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, August 1, 1914:

"The story is weak to the point of being at least, at times, foolish. Yet here is something in the atmosphere of the thing that makes the spectator wish that it were better, one would like to see something convincing of such interesting people as these characters. That what is shown could have happened is more than doubtful, and we dare not call it a good offering. The camera work and the staging are, like the acting, excellent."

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