The Exploits of Elaine

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The Exploits of Elaine
Directed by Louis J. Gasnier
George B. Seitz
Leopold Wharton
Produced by Leopold Wharton
Theodore Wharton
Written by Charles W. Goddard
George B. Seitz
Starring Pearl White
Arnold Daly
Sheldon Lewis
Release date(s) December 28, 1914
Country Flag of the United States United States
Language Silent film
English intertitles
IMDb profile

The Exploits of Elaine is a 1914 film serial in the genre of The Perils of Pauline, and even outgrossed that serial in ticket sales. It tells the story of a young woman named Elaine who, with the help of a detective, tries to find the man, known only as "The Clutching Hand", who murdered her father.

The serial stars Pearl White (who also starred in The Perils of Pauline), Arnold Daly, Sheldon Lewis, Creighton Hale and Riley Hatch. Lionel Barrymore had a small role.

It was written by Charles W. Goddard, Arthur B. Reeve (story) and George B. Seitz. It was directed by Louis J. Gasnier, Seitz and Leopold Wharton. It was produced by the American branch of Pathé, the France based company that during the first part of the 20th Century, was the largest film equipment and production company in the world.

The Exploits of Elaine was followed in 1915 by The New Exploits of Elaine.

There were fourteen episodes:

  1. The Clutching Hand
  2. The Twilight Sleep
  3. The Vanishing Jewels
  4. The Frozen Safe
  5. The Poisoned Room
  6. The Vampire
  7. The Double Trap
  8. The Hidden Voice
  9. The Death Ray
  10. The Life Current
  11. The Hour of Three
  12. The Blood Crystals
  13. The Devil Worshippers
  14. The Reckoning

The serial has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

[edit] Cast

  • Pearl White - Elaine Dodge
  • Arnold Daly - Detective Craig Kennedy
  • Creighton Hale - Walter Jameson (Ep. 1, 2, 3)
  • Raymond Owens - Walter Jameson (Ep. 4-14)
  • Sheldon Lewis - Perry Bennett / The Clutching Hand
  • Edwin Arden - Wu Fang
  • Leroy Baker - The Butler
  • Bessie Wharton - Aunt Josephine, Mrs. Dodge
  • Riley Hatch - President Dodge (as William Riley Hatch)
  • Robin H. Townley - Limpy Red
  • Floyd Buckley - Michael
  • Lionel Barrymore - Undetermined Role
  • M.W. Rale - Wong Lang Sin
  • George B. Seitz
  • Howard Cody - Undetermined Role
  • Paul Panzer - Undetermined Role (unconfirmed)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links