Love Aflame (1917)
Comedy-drama | 29 January 1917
Director:
Raymond WellsWriters:
Fred Myton, Raymond WellsProduction Company:
Universal Film Mfg Co.Principal photography was completed in late 1916, as indicated by articles in the 6 January 1917, 20 January 1917, and 27 January 1917 issues of Moving Picture Weekly. Production took place at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA, where an enormous “cannibal village” set was constructed. It was said to have been populated by hundreds of background actors, all of whom had been painted brown in such a way as to camouflage their scantily clad bodies. African American actor Noble Johnson was cast as the cannibal king, with a costume consisting of a silk top hat, a leopard skin, and beads. The production also featured several lions, whose skittish behavior reportedly terrified leading man Jack Mulhall between scenes, and an elephant named Charlie, who damaged some of the sets and took “a sudden dislike” to star Ruth Stonehouse. Both she and Mulhall learned to maintain a safe distance from the animals.
While filming was in progress, Stonehouse gave a dance recital at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. The 27 January 1917 Moving Picture Weekly claimed that, in the hours leading up to her performance, the actress was “chased by cannibals” at the studio, frightened away from her Hollywood, CA, bungalow by a rabid dog, and pursued by a motorcycle policeman as she raced to the auditorium. She was scheduled to appear in traffic court the following day.
Love Aflame was released on 29 January 1917, preceded by a Chicago, IL, opening at the Hamlin Theatre on 26 January 1917, and followed by openings on 31 January 1917 at the Home Theatre in ...
Principal photography was completed in late 1916, as indicated by articles in the 6 January 1917, 20 January 1917, and 27 January 1917 issues of Moving Picture Weekly. Production took place at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA, where an enormous “cannibal village” set was constructed. It was said to have been populated by hundreds of background actors, all of whom had been painted brown in such a way as to camouflage their scantily clad bodies. African American actor Noble Johnson was cast as the cannibal king, with a costume consisting of a silk top hat, a leopard skin, and beads. The production also featured several lions, whose skittish behavior reportedly terrified leading man Jack Mulhall between scenes, and an elephant named Charlie, who damaged some of the sets and took “a sudden dislike” to star Ruth Stonehouse. Both she and Mulhall learned to maintain a safe distance from the animals.
While filming was in progress, Stonehouse gave a dance recital at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. The 27 January 1917 Moving Picture Weekly claimed that, in the hours leading up to her performance, the actress was “chased by cannibals” at the studio, frightened away from her Hollywood, CA, bungalow by a rabid dog, and pursued by a motorcycle policeman as she raced to the auditorium. She was scheduled to appear in traffic court the following day.
Love Aflame was released on 29 January 1917, preceded by a Chicago, IL, opening at the Hamlin Theatre on 26 January 1917, and followed by openings on 31 January 1917 at the Home Theatre in Blair, NE, and on 3 February 1917 at the Globe Theatre in Boston, MA. The picture was reviewed in the 27 January 1917 New York Daily Mirror as Hearts Aflame, although it was likely an error, as no other available sources mention this title in connection with the film. There was, however, a serial of the same name being produced that year by the Vitagraph Co. of America. It was ultimately released as The Fighting Trail.
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, portions of this film are extant.
“Betty Mason’s Aunt Martha and her father think it would be nice for Betty to marry Cousin Reginald. When Aunt Martha and Cousin Reginald come to visit Betty is disappointed and doesn’t fall into their plans very readily. She raves and storms and finally runs away. Reginald finds a note from his charming cousin stating that she has gone west in her brother’s clothes and that if he can catch her she will marry him. Meanwhile in a city club the young men are getting up a wager, the bet being the outcome of a women’s rights discussion. Jack Calvert, cynic and worldly wise man, wagers, that he will be in Constantinople by the sixth of November. They take him up. Betty, in her masculine attire, and Jack Calvert, in that of a tramp, soon meet, and their adventures, 'riding the rods' and eating tramp fare, beating their way on ships and eluding Cousin Reginald, are thrilling. In the course of their travels they are shipwrecked on a cannibal island and Jack fights and kills the king. Reginald even follows them here, but they are too swift for him and reach Constantinople by the sixth. A banquet is in progress for Jack and the boys of his club, when Mr. Mason introduces his daughter. Jack gets the surprise of his life and is glad to change his views of all women, and his little pal in particular, who promises to tramp by his side to the end of the road.” (Motography, 3 Feb 1917, p. ...
“Betty Mason’s Aunt Martha and her father think it would be nice for Betty to marry Cousin Reginald. When Aunt Martha and Cousin Reginald come to visit Betty is disappointed and doesn’t fall into their plans very readily. She raves and storms and finally runs away. Reginald finds a note from his charming cousin stating that she has gone west in her brother’s clothes and that if he can catch her she will marry him. Meanwhile in a city club the young men are getting up a wager, the bet being the outcome of a women’s rights discussion. Jack Calvert, cynic and worldly wise man, wagers, that he will be in Constantinople by the sixth of November. They take him up. Betty, in her masculine attire, and Jack Calvert, in that of a tramp, soon meet, and their adventures, 'riding the rods' and eating tramp fare, beating their way on ships and eluding Cousin Reginald, are thrilling. In the course of their travels they are shipwrecked on a cannibal island and Jack fights and kills the king. Reginald even follows them here, but they are too swift for him and reach Constantinople by the sixth. A banquet is in progress for Jack and the boys of his club, when Mr. Mason introduces his daughter. Jack gets the surprise of his life and is glad to change his views of all women, and his little pal in particular, who promises to tramp by his side to the end of the road.” (Motography, 3 Feb 1917, p. 271).
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