Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
Madeline and Marion Fairbanks in THEIR ONE LOVE, released May 12, 1915. Courtesy of Ralph Graham, M.D. (R-3)
Working title: THEIR SOLDIER HERO
May 2, 1915 (Sunday)
Length: 1 reel (1,020 feet)
Character: Drama
Director: John Harvey
Scenario: Gertrude Thanhouser
Cameraman: Carl Louis Gregory
Cast: Madeline and Marion Fairbanks (the twin sisters), Robert Wilson (Jack, the soldier), Charles Emerson (Jack as a boy)
Notes: 1. With The Actor and the Rube and Monsieur Nikola Dupree, this was one of three films screened in New Rochelle for film critics brought to the studio for a day by Thanhouser's new publicity director, Leon J. Rubenstein. The intent was to acquaint reviewers with the forthcoming series of pictures made under the personal supervision of Edwin Thanhouser, and "guaranteed" by him to be of good quality. 2. This was the first "new" Thanhouser film to be released; the first film to be produced under the personal supervision of Edwin Thanhouser following his return to the studio. 3. The film was acclaimed for its unusual nighttime photography. 4. The picture was about the Civil War, but a review in The Moving Picture World, May 9, 1915, stated erroneously that it was about "colonial" times. 5. During the production of this film, an accident occurred, and several people were seriously injured. Joseph Horan, a property man, was hospitalized with severe burns, and, separately, lawsuits were filed against Thanhouser by the guardians for William Condon, George Sieverts, and Carl Sieverts. "The actions are based on alleged damages received at the local studio when a bomb exploded on April 1," The New Rochelle Pioneer reported on April 17th. 6. As evidenced by a print preserved in The National Film Archive (London), the film had a very slight plot and consisted primarily of battle scenes. The early part of the film was set in the year 1853, the main part of the film in 1861.
ADVERTISEMENT (signed by Edwin Thanhouser), The Moving Picture World, May 1, 1915:
"THE ACID TEST. The first of the new Thanhousers will be released on Sunday, May the second, and it will be entitled Their One Love. All I am going to say about it is this: Go and see it! Then if you don't write me that it's as good as the best single reel subject you ever saw - anywhere - at any time - then don't ever take my word for anything I ever tell you again! That's final and you are perfectly welcome to hold me to this to the very letter."
ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, April 17, 1915:
"Leon J. Rubenstein, director of publicity at Thanhouser, put over a good one on the 'city fellers' at the Metropolitan newspapers, who, about a dozen strong, came to New Rochelle this week to see the new Edwin Thanhouser releases - Their One Love - a single reel story, comparable only, according to their judgment, to The Birth of a Nation. As the scribes viewed the wonderful action directed by Jack Harvey and the marvelous photography of Carl Louis Gregory taken at night, they wondered how such effects could have been secured, and Ruby told them that Carl Gregory and Al Moses perfected the 'Nacht o' Graph,' a camera that would record night scenes, and all fell for it except 'Wid' of the Mail. But the whole production - story, direction, acting, and photography is the most wonderful ever produced at any studio for the regular program. This is only the beginning of the wonderful program that Edwin Thanhouser is to give to a waiting world.
"The reporters present were Milligan of The Billboard, Horace Fuld of The Mirror, Robertson of The Telegraph, Denning of The Moving Picture World, Proctor of The Motion Picture News, Mabel Condon of Motography, and Wid Gunning of The Evening Mail. Rubenstein sent Jim Wallace with a car to New York City to pick up the gang. After a ride, refreshments, smokes and lunch, a trip to the studios was made, and they went back to see the city filled with things Thanhouser, even smoking a cigar named 'Thanhouser.' Ruby was voted 'some gent.' All were photographed, and metropolitan papers have been filled with New Rochelle jottings this week as a result."
ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, April 24, 1915:
"Mr. Thanhouser has been obtaining some unusual effects in night photography. There are some striking night battle scenes, it is said, in a Civil War photodrama, Their One Love, recently made at the Thanhouser plant."
ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, May 15, 1915:
"Madeline and Marion Fairbanks, the Thanhouser twins, are to the fore again in Their One Love, a Thanhouser release on the Mutual program. In the play the two girls have cared for Jack since childhood and he appears to care equally for them, although he shows no special preference and seems to delight in the society of both. When the Civil War came, and Jack enlisted, he is shown taking an affectionate farewell of both girls. Each of them loves him, but each guards her secret jealously. They dream, each of them, that he will return and claim her for his bride. Soon they discover each other's secret. Both write letters to Jack saying to take care of himself for the sake of the other sister who loves him. Jack gets neither of these letters for he has been killed, and the sisters grow old together, never marrying, but always cherishing their ideal."
ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, May 15, 1915:
"Their One Love, a Thanhouser, was the only picture applauded on the bill at The Stanley, New York City, although several other excellent ones were shown. It featured the Fairbanks twins and was produced by John Harvey."
SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, April 24, 1915:
"Jack ever since childhood has been the twins' hero. The years pass. Jack is as devoted as ever to the two beautiful young girls, but has given no sign that he cares for one more than for the other. The Civil War breaks out and Jack marches away. Each of the twins has come to love the young volunteer, but keeps her secret from her sister. One night Madeline wakes to see Marion standing by the window, looking at Jack's picture in the moonlight. She determines to give up Jack. Marion, however, has guessed Madeline's feelings for their 'hero,' and has made up her mind that she will not stand in the way of Madeline's happiness. The next day each of the twins writes to Jack. Marion's note tells him that Madeline is waiting for him. And Madeline's missive begs him to be careful of himself for Marion's sake. The letters never are posted. For word comes that day that Jack has been killed in battle."
REVIEW by Wid Gunning, The Evening Mail, April 17, 1915: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, May 8, 1915:
"A pretty story of colonial days that has been utilized as the basis of this production which is exceptionally good. The Thanhouser twins play the feminine leads. Their one lover goes to the war and is killed. This portion of the story is interspersed with effective scenes of battle alternated with domestic scenes showing the twins is illustrative of their feelings and thoughts."
REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, April 28, 1915: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.