The Coward (1915)
Drama | 14 November 1915
Director:
Reginald BarkerWriter:
Thomas H. InceProducer:
Thomas H. InceProduction Company:
New York Motion Picture Corp.; Kay-BeeThe 3 Jul 1915 Motion Picture News announced the provisionally titled Blood Will
Tell as the next starring vehicle for actor Frank Keenan. The production marked Keenan’s feature-length film debut. News items in the 21 Aug 1915 Motion Picture News and 3 Sep 1915 Var stated that principal photography had taken place at the Griffith Studio in Hollywood, CA, and mistakenly attributed the title to The Lamb (1915, see entry), a comedy starring Douglas Fairbanks.
According to the 4 Sep 1915 Motion Picture News, the film, officially titled The
Coward, was scheduled to open on 18 Sep 1915 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York
City, on a triple bill with two comedies, The Lamb and My Valet (1915, see entry).
One week later, the 11 Sep 1915 issue stated that The Coward had been replaced on
by The Iron Strain, described as “a bigger and more forceful production.”
The Coward debuted on 3 Oct 1915 at New York City’s Knickerbocker Theatre, along with
Old Heidelberg (1915, see entry), and the short subjects A Favorite Fool and Her
Painted Hero (1915). The admission price was an exorbitant two-dollars. A general release
followed on 14 Nov 1915.
The film garnered positive reviews in the 8 Oct 1915 Var and the 23 Oct 1915 Moving
Picture World. Although Keenan was the nominal star, Var considered his acting style
too “theatrical,” focusing instead on co-star Charles Ray, whose performance was described as
“a revelation in picture acting.” ...
The 3 Jul 1915 Motion Picture News announced the provisionally titled Blood Will
Tell as the next starring vehicle for actor Frank Keenan. The production marked Keenan’s feature-length film debut. News items in the 21 Aug 1915 Motion Picture News and 3 Sep 1915 Var stated that principal photography had taken place at the Griffith Studio in Hollywood, CA, and mistakenly attributed the title to The Lamb (1915, see entry), a comedy starring Douglas Fairbanks.
According to the 4 Sep 1915 Motion Picture News, the film, officially titled The
Coward, was scheduled to open on 18 Sep 1915 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York
City, on a triple bill with two comedies, The Lamb and My Valet (1915, see entry).
One week later, the 11 Sep 1915 issue stated that The Coward had been replaced on
by The Iron Strain, described as “a bigger and more forceful production.”
The Coward debuted on 3 Oct 1915 at New York City’s Knickerbocker Theatre, along with
Old Heidelberg (1915, see entry), and the short subjects A Favorite Fool and Her
Painted Hero (1915). The admission price was an exorbitant two-dollars. A general release
followed on 14 Nov 1915.
The film garnered positive reviews in the 8 Oct 1915 Var and the 23 Oct 1915 Moving
Picture World. Although Keenan was the nominal star, Var considered his acting style
too “theatrical,” focusing instead on co-star Charles Ray, whose performance was described as
“a revelation in picture acting.” Regardless, the film earned Keenan a two-year contract with
distributor Triangle Film Corp.
Various sources have credited C. Gardner Sullivan with writing the scenario.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, cowardly Frank Winslow is forced to enlist in the Confederate Army by his father, Mexican War veteran Colonel Jefferson Beverly Winslow. Frank soon deserts his post and hides in the family home with the help of the Winslows’ African American maid. Determined to protect the Winslow name, the Colonel takes Frank's place in the company. When Union officers invade the estate, Frank overhears their strategy. He overpowers an enemy soldier, steals his uniform, and rides to the Confederate camp. While on sentry duty, the Colonel fires at his son, seeing only a blue uniform. The wounded Frank makes his way to the camp commander and delivers the Union plans. Following the ensuing battle, Frank and his father are ...
At the outbreak of the Civil War, cowardly Frank Winslow is forced to enlist in the Confederate Army by his father, Mexican War veteran Colonel Jefferson Beverly Winslow. Frank soon deserts his post and hides in the family home with the help of the Winslows’ African American maid. Determined to protect the Winslow name, the Colonel takes Frank's place in the company. When Union officers invade the estate, Frank overhears their strategy. He overpowers an enemy soldier, steals his uniform, and rides to the Confederate camp. While on sentry duty, the Colonel fires at his son, seeing only a blue uniform. The wounded Frank makes his way to the camp commander and delivers the Union plans. Following the ensuing battle, Frank and his father are reconciled.
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