Volume II: Filmography

THE LIGHT ON THE REEF

October 5, 1915 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels

Character: Drama

Director: Ernest C. Warde

Cast: Morris Foster (David Dodd, the keeper of the light), Winifred Kingston (Daphne, his wife), Samuel Niblack (Grandon Fish, man of the world)

Note: The title of this film was listed erroneously as The Light of the Reef in a review in The Moving Picture World, October 16, 1915.

ARTICLE, Reel Life, October 9, 1915:

"A love story of great depth and sweetness, in which the woman wins back the love of her husband by risking her life to save him from disgrace, is the Thanhouser two-reel drama, The Light on the Reef, scheduled for release in the regular Mutual Program on October 5th. Morris Foster and Winifred Kingston are starred in the leading roles, and Samuel Niblack counteracts in the character of 'heavy'. The scene changes from the gay whirl of night life in a big city to a remote island where David Dodd brings home his bride, Daphne, the little dancer. The secret of the girl's past finds its way to the young husband's ears. After that the tragedy grows - until the great turning point in this thrilling story."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, October 9, 1915:

"Daphne, a dance-hall girl, has drained the cup of pleasure to the dregs. She longs to escape from it all. Grandon Fish, an old admirer and a man of wealth, is very insistent in his attentions. But though Daphne realizes that she may have a life of luxury - at least for a few years - if she yields to the entreaties of Fish, she knows all too well what the end will be. An automobile accident brings to Daphne a rescuer, David Dodd, the keeper of a lighthouse on a distant island. He visits her in the hospital, and they fall in love. Daphne returns with David to Shell Isle as his bride. She keeps her past a secret from him. Some months later, Fish turns up on the island. He recognizes her, and tells her husband the truth. Daphne pleads with David to forgive her. But the stern young islander orders his wife from his house. Daphne, broken-hearted, finds refuge with some fisher-folk. One afternoon the husband goes to the mainland, and tries to drown his sorrow in drink. He falls asleep at the table in the saloon. Here, at a late hour, Grandon Fish finds him. 'I see the lighthouse is dark to-night,' says the former admirer of Daphne, tauntingly. Seized with a sickening dread, David rouses and hurries off to his boat. Suddenly, across the bay, the great light pierces the darkness. David finds Daphne lying, her clothing reeking with sea water, in a sleep of exhaustion, on the lighthouse floor. He realizes that she has risked her life swimming from the mainland to fulfill his forgotten trust. Love and forgiveness reunite man and wife."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 16, 1915:

"A two-reel number featuring Morris Foster and Winifred Kingston. The young keeper of the light attends a cabaret performance and marries one of the singers. Later he becomes unreasonably jealous over the visit of a man to the lighthouse and sends the wife away. The husband then drinks heavily, but the wife is faithful and when he neglects the light, she hastens to look after it. The story has no great dramatic strength but is picturesque and quite entertaining."

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