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HISTORY

The 22 Feb 1919 Motion Picture News announced Sessue Hayakawa’s next starring vehicle by its working title, The Debt, to be produced at Brunton Studios in Hollywood, CA, by the actor’s own company, Haworth Pictures Corp.
       Nearly three months later, the 17 May 1919 issue revealed that Haworth had difficulty casting Hayakawa in suitable picture, as a great many scenarios involving Japanese characters were not worthy of his talents. An exception was his latest release, officially re-titled His Debt, based on an original story by L. V. Jefferson.
       The film opened in New York City during the week of 19 May 1919 at the Fox Academy of Music and the Fox Bedford Theatre. A general release followed on 25 May 1919, along with a Los Angeles, CA, opening at the Hollywood Theatre on 8 Jul 1919. Reviews were generally enthusiastic, with the focus primarily on Hayakawa’s performance.
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The 22 Feb 1919 Motion Picture News announced Sessue Hayakawa’s next starring vehicle by its working title, The Debt, to be produced at Brunton Studios in Hollywood, CA, by the actor’s own company, Haworth Pictures Corp.
       Nearly three months later, the 17 May 1919 issue revealed that Haworth had difficulty casting Hayakawa in suitable picture, as a great many scenarios involving Japanese characters were not worthy of his talents. An exception was his latest release, officially re-titled His Debt, based on an original story by L. V. Jefferson.
       The film opened in New York City during the week of 19 May 1919 at the Fox Academy of Music and the Fox Bedford Theatre. A general release followed on 25 May 1919, along with a Los Angeles, CA, opening at the Hollywood Theatre on 8 Jul 1919. Reviews were generally enthusiastic, with the focus primarily on Hayakawa’s performance.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Camera
6 Jul 1919
p. 10
Exhibitors Herald and Motography
14 Jun 1919
p. 51
Exhibitors Trade Review
31 May 1919
p. 2021
Motion Picture News
22 Feb 1919
p. 1181
Motion Picture News
17 May 1919
p. 3228
Motion Picture News
31 May 1919
p. 3658, 3669
Motion Picture News
21 Jun 1919
p. 4227
Moving Picture World
24 May 1919
p. 1242
Moving Picture World
31 May 1919
p. 1391
Wid's Daily
20 May 1919
---
Wid's Daily
25 May 1919
p. 19
Wid's Daily
27 May 1919
---
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHY
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
The Debt
Release Date:
25 May 1919
Premiere Information:
New York opening: week of 19 May 1919; Los Angeles opening: 8 Jul 1919
Production Date:
early 1919
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
The Haworth Pictures Corp.
8 April 1919
LU13575
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in feet):
4,800
Length(in reels):
5
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

Goro Mariyama uses the profits from his ethically run gambling house to help the poor. Gambler Blair Whitcomb accuses Goro of cheating, then shoots him after losing a $10,000 bet. Goro survives a punctured lung only through the efforts of nurse Gloria Manning, Blair's fiancée. When Goro confesses his love for Gloria, he is shocked to hear of her engagement. Following his recovery, Goro discovers that Blair has given him a bad check, and demands that the gambler pay his debt in person. Although Blair complies, Goro has him arrested for attempted murder. Gloria pleads for her fiancé’s release, revealing that she can never love Goro because he is of a different race. The disappointed Goro enables Blair’s escape as payment to Gloria for saving his ...

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Goro Mariyama uses the profits from his ethically run gambling house to help the poor. Gambler Blair Whitcomb accuses Goro of cheating, then shoots him after losing a $10,000 bet. Goro survives a punctured lung only through the efforts of nurse Gloria Manning, Blair's fiancée. When Goro confesses his love for Gloria, he is shocked to hear of her engagement. Following his recovery, Goro discovers that Blair has given him a bad check, and demands that the gambler pay his debt in person. Although Blair complies, Goro has him arrested for attempted murder. Gloria pleads for her fiancé’s release, revealing that she can never love Goro because he is of a different race. The disappointed Goro enables Blair’s escape as payment to Gloria for saving his life.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.