Romance of Elaine, the
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Romance of Elaine, the
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| Episodes: | 12 |
| Year: | 1915 |
| Country: | United States |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 12 |
| Category: | Crime |
| Colour: | No |
| Format: | Cinema Serial |
| Company: | Pathé Exchange and Whartons Studio |
| Creator: | Charles W. Goddard and Basil Dickey from the novel by Arthur B. Reeve |
| Run Time (mins): | |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | |
| First Aired: | June 14, 1915 |
| Last Aired: | |
Summary
The serial drew extensively upon narrative elements found in the novels of Eugène Sue, employing a rapid succession of sensational incidents to divert attention from its hurried and frequently substandard direction. When compared with the work of filmmakers such as Léonce Perret, both in France (L’X Noir, 1915) and later in the United States (The Empire of Diamonds, 1920), the American adventure serials of the period, including the White productions, appear markedly less sophisticated. Although widely known, they relied almost exclusively on the invention of extravagant plot devices and paid minimal attention to direction, editing, or lighting.
The films were characterised primarily by frenetic physical action, presenting little more than the continuous movement of actors and props. In this respect, they were motion pictures in the most literal sense: images defined by perpetual motion rather than by stylistic or technical refinement.
The storyline centres on a mysterious antagonist, Dr. X, also known as Marcus del el Mar, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore, whose brother John had famously played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1920. Dr. X seeks to acquire torpedo designs left behind by the presumed‑dead Kennedy. Elaine and her loyal assistant Jameson uncover his intention to mine the major ports along the eastern seaboard of the United States. With the covert assistance of Kennedy, revealed to be alive in the final episode, they ultimately thwart Dr. X’s scheme and avert the unspecified national threat.
Cast
Elaine Dodge PEARL WHITE, Walter Jameson CREIGHTON HALE, Detective Craig Kennedy ARNOLD DALY, Marcus Del Mar / Mr. X LIONEL BARRYMOORE, Aunt Josephine BESSIE WHARTON.
Tags: Crime, United States, 1915, English
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