Volume I: Narrative History

Chapter 7 (1914): The Regular Schedule Continues

While the Mystery delighted fans each Monday, the regular release schedule of Thanhouser and Princess films continued unabated, although in the face of publicity given to the serial the regular films were often given short shrift in advertising. In the regular schedule, Her Duty, the Princess offering of August 7, 1914, was favorably reviewed, as was The Tell-Tale Scar, issued on the 9th. Stronger Than Death, screened on August 11th, was found by reviewers to have fine acting and photography and, typical of numerous New Rochelle films of the period, a poor scenario. In Peril's Path, issued on the 14th, had, at long last, "an appealing plot," according to The Moving Picture World.

The August 15, 1914 issue of The Moving Picture World quoted Harry E. Aitken on the subject of the war which had recently broken out across the Atlantic:

This most unexpected and deplorable war, which will cost Europe millions in treasure and in men if the present conditions are not suddenly and unexpectedly helped, is bound to bring about a general prosperity for the United States. I believe that as soon as the trade conditions are adjusted we will see the most prosperous business that this country has ever seen. The direct effect on the motion picture business is to cut off exporting and importing, and as soon as conditions are adjusted the increase in domestic business will more than take care of any export loss, and with the importation cut off American films will be in greater demand. The increase in the attendance of the motion picture theatres, noticeable in times of stress, is the first evidence of the prosperity that is to come. The conditions of the business generally are healthy, and the houses and the manufacturers are ready to take care of the increased pressure. General prosperity helps any amusement business, and before the fall this prosperity will begin to be felt at all strictly American industries.

Aitken's prediction notwithstanding, the film business in America was soon to experience hard times as the uncertainties of the European situation caused American studios to retrench their activities.

A Rural Romance, the Princess offering of August 14th, was "agreeable in tone but lacks any big moments and is not treated in a very novel way," a writer for The Moving Picture World commented. Then came Her Big Brother, released on August 16th, followed by McCarn Plays Fate, a two-reeler distributed on the 18th. The latter film was made by Reliance, not by Thanhouser, but was distributed under the Thanhouser name, another instance of Charles J. Hite intermingling his enterprises. On Friday evening, August 21, 1914, The Belle of the School, a Princess release, was first shown in selected theatres.

In the meantime a group of Thanhouserites had departed for the West. The New Rochelle Pioneer Note related:

Lloyd F. Lonergan, America's greatest scenario writer and director of productions at the Thanhouser plant, left for Wyoming, Thursday, to lead a company of Thanhouser people to Yellowstone Park to take "movies." The company, composed of Carl Louis Gregory, of 19 Rhodes Street, director and cameraman; Morris Foster, leading man; Miss Mignon Anderson, leading woman, and John Lehnberg, character actor, will stage plays, the scenarios for which Mr. Lonergan will write after looking over the ground. Mrs. Lonergan will join Mr. Lonergan at the park and spend her vacation in three states - Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, visiting much of the national playground of 5,500 acres. Jay Cairns, publicity man of the Thanhouser Corporation, will go along, and Mrs. Anderson will chaperon her daughter. The trip will take until September 15, when it is planned to return to the studio.