The Birth of a Race
Encyclopedia
The Birth of a Race is a 1918
American silent
drama film
directed by John W. Noble. It was made as a response to the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation
, and was meant to discredit the negative stereotypes perpetuated by the film. The Birth of a Race was released following the end of World War I
.
1918 in film
The year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
American silent
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by John W. Noble. It was made as a response to the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation
The Birth of a Nation
The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 American silent film directed by D. W. Griffith and based on the novel and play The Clansman, both by Thomas Dixon, Jr. Griffith also co-wrote the screenplay , and co-produced the film . It was released on February 8, 1915...
, and was meant to discredit the negative stereotypes perpetuated by the film. The Birth of a Race was released following the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Synopsis
Following the "Birth of the Human Race" section of the film, two brothers in a German-American family go to war in Europe, one ("George") fighting for the United States, and the other ("Oscar") fighting for Germany. George is wounded, and at the hospital defends it from a German attack, killing Oscar in the process. George is sent home to America, where he rescues his wife from a German spy.Cast (in credits order)
- Louis DeanLouis DeanLouis Dean , was an American actor. He appeared in 16 films between 1917 and 1923.He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA and died in Honolulu, Hawaii.-External links:...
... The Kaiser - Harry Dumont ... Crown Prince
- Carter B. Harkness ... Adam
- Doris DoscherDoris DoscherDoris Doscher was an actress and model who appeared in the movie The Birth of a Race , playing the role of Eve, She posed as Liberty for the American Standing Liberty Quarter . The Standing Liberty Quarter was designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil...
... Eve - Charles GrahamCharles GrahamCharles Graham was an Australian politician. Graham was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and educated at state schools. He worked as a tailor and was a union official before entering parliament...
... Noah - Ben Hendricks, Sr. ... Fritz Schmidt (as Ben Hendricks)
- Alice GaleAlice GaleAlice Gale , was an American actress. She appeared in 11 films between 1916 and 1919.She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-Filmography:* L' Apache...
... Frau Schmidt - John ReinhardtJohn ReinhardtJohn Edward Reinhardt is a retired American ambassador and diplomat.Reinhardt was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He attended the University of Chicago, initially pursuing a graduate degree in English, but did not finish on account to serving in World War Two. His doctorate in English was completed...
... Pat O'Brien - Mary CarrMary CarrMary Carr was an American film actress and was married to the actor William Carr . She appeared in 144 films between 1915 and 1956...
... Mrs. O'Brien (as Mary K. Carr) - Jane Grey ... Jane O'Brien
- Edward ElkasEdward ElkasEdward Elkas was an American film actor of the silent era. He appeared in 84 films between 1911 and 1926.He was born in New York, New York.-Selected filmography:* The Birth of a Race * Velvet Fingers...
... Herr Von H. - Anna Lehr
- Philip Van Loan
- George LeGuere (as George Le Guere)
- Warren Chandler
- Anita Cortez
- Edwin Boring
- Dick Lee
- David Wall
- Belle Seacombe
See also
- List of American films of 1918
- Race movieRace movieThe race movie or race film was a film genre which existed in the United States between about 1915 and 1950. It consisted of films produced for an all-black audience, featuring black casts....