Volume II: Filmography

FOR UNCLE SAM'S NAVY

May 23, 1916 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels

Character: Drama

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Edwin Stanley (the lieutenant), Kathryn Adams (his sweetheart), John Lehnberg (conspirator), J.L. Richards, Jere Austin, Louise Daniels Wirth (Secretary of the Navy's niece), Jim Snow, Charles Taylor

Notes: 1. Louise Daniels Wirth, who was really the niece of Secretary of the Navy Daniels, was a prominent Washington, D.C. society and social figure. In some publicity for this film she is called by her maiden name, Louise Daniels, and elsewhere by her married name, Louise Daniels Wirth. 2. In a cast listing preceding the synopsis in Reel Life, John Lehnberg's name appeared erroneously as "John Schuberg."

ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, June 3, 1916:

"Unknown but to a few of her intimate friends, Miss Louise Daniels Worth, niece of Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, and prominently connected with social and diplomatic life of Washington, has become a motion picture player. Miss Worth, who was engaged by the Thanhouser studio several months ago, will make her appearance in For Uncle Sam's Navy, a two-part drama to be released by the Mutual Film Corporation the latter part of this month."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, May 20, 1916:

"Louise Wirth, a niece of Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the United States Navy, has the leading role in the forthcoming Thanhouser Mutual two-act drama For Uncle Sam's Navy. Miss Wirth is a new recruit of the screen, but her work leaves the impression of a finished and practiced star. In the picture Miss Wirth plays a part that is similar to her station in every day life and she acquits herself admirably in many difficult and trying situations. Kathryn Adams and Edwin Stanley have the principal supporting roles in this thrilling and patriotic drama in which the intrigues and efforts of foreign spies come to naught through the bravery and courage of an American naval officer, who risks his life to aid his country.

"According to the story, an American admiral has invented a new kind of torpedo, which tests have shown to be the most deadly weapon yet devised. The head of a foreign secret service is ordered to obtain the plans of the invention. He, in turn, commissions Captain Rudolph, a trusted aide, to undertake the mission. Arriving in America the captain spreads the report that he is an American officer who had been reported killed in the Philippines, but had been held prisoner by the Moros. He is assigned to the admiral's flagship. The captain has gained the confidence of his superiors, and the love of the admiral's daughter but the one person who suspects him is the niece of the Secretary of the Navy. She feels certain that she met the man in a European country, but he insists that she is mistaken. The matter ends, until one day she catches him return the stiff salute to a man who had served in a foreign army, and had made no pretense of his nationality.

"She plans to watch the spy, tell him he is known and permit him to escape because of his sweetheart. That evening the plans of the invention are reported missing and the girl bitterly reproaches herself. She confides in the admiral's daughter, and the two girls follow the captain and by a daring ruse manage to steal the plans from one of his subordinates. They are discovered and it is decided by the spies to put them on ship bound for South America. At this point the captain enters. A mysterious telephone call causes the spies to make their leader a prisoner. Then it is learned that the man was really what he represented himself to be, and that he had been serving his country all the time. Secret Service men break into the house and rescue the officer and the girls while arresting the spies."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, June 3, 1916:

"A two-reel subject by Philip Lonergan, featuring Edwin Stanley, Kathryn Adams and others. This is a story of international intrigue and centers about the person of 'Captain Rudolph,' who comes to America to get some military plans. The plot ingredients are familiar, but have been put together in this instance in a new and absorbing way. There is a surprise at the close. The cast is pleasing and the story holds the interest well."

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