The Birth of Character (1916)

Drama | March 1916

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HISTORY

The working title of this film was The Transmutation; or The Making of a Man. It was announced in the 4 February 1916 Variety as one of the first two releases from Claridge Films, Inc., along with The Heart of New York (1916, see entry). The 26 February 1916 Motography noted that the film would be released “under the new state rights plan of Agnes Egan Cobb, vice-president and general manager” for Claridge.
       The film was scheduled to open on 30 March 1916 at Keeney’s Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, according to the 25 Mar 1916 [Brooklyn, NY] Times Union. An 18 May 1918 release at the Lyric Theatre in Oil City, PA, was noted in that day’s Oil City Derrick. ...

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The working title of this film was The Transmutation; or The Making of a Man. It was announced in the 4 February 1916 Variety as one of the first two releases from Claridge Films, Inc., along with The Heart of New York (1916, see entry). The 26 February 1916 Motography noted that the film would be released “under the new state rights plan of Agnes Egan Cobb, vice-president and general manager” for Claridge.
       The film was scheduled to open on 30 March 1916 at Keeney’s Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, according to the 25 Mar 1916 [Brooklyn, NY] Times Union. An 18 May 1918 release at the Lyric Theatre in Oil City, PA, was noted in that day’s Oil City Derrick.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Motion Picture News
23 Dec 1916
p. 4050
Motography
26 Feb 1916
p. 454
Motography
26 Feb 1916
p. 470
Motography
1 Apr 1916
p. 736
Motography
1 Apr 1916
p. 758
Motography
1 Apr 1916
p. 778
Moving Picture World
1 Apr 1916
p. 160, 162
Moving Picture World
1 Apr 1916
p. 160, 167
Oil City Derrick [Oil City, PA]
18 May 1916
p. 11
Times Union [Brooklyn, NY]
25 Mar 1916
p. 4
Times Union [Brooklyn, NY]
25 Mar 1916
p. 5
Variety
4 Feb 1916
p. 33
CAST
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT

NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
WRITER
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
The Transmutation; or The Making of a Man
Release Date:
March 1916
Premiere Information:
Brooklyn, NY, opening: 30 Mar 1916; Oil City, PA, opening: 18 May 1916
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Equitable Motion Pictures Corp.
3 January 1916
LU7401
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in feet):
5,000
Length(in reels):
5
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

A prologue shows an alchemist about to be burned at the stake. Before dying, he claims that his theory is correct: in an effort to overcome external conditions, man develops his character. In modern times, Harry Thorn loves Grace Dupont, but after losing his money he drifts toward crime. He steals a necklace, and when Grace finds out she cancels their engagement. Harry decides to give himself up, thereby finally establishing some strength of character. When he gets out of jail, Grace takes him back, but Harry has to face one more temptation. Alice Farley, who loves him but whom he has spurned, tries to lure him back to crime, but with Grace's help Harry manages to ...

More Less

A prologue shows an alchemist about to be burned at the stake. Before dying, he claims that his theory is correct: in an effort to overcome external conditions, man develops his character. In modern times, Harry Thorn loves Grace Dupont, but after losing his money he drifts toward crime. He steals a necklace, and when Grace finds out she cancels their engagement. Harry decides to give himself up, thereby finally establishing some strength of character. When he gets out of jail, Grace takes him back, but Harry has to face one more temptation. Alice Farley, who loves him but whom he has spurned, tries to lure him back to crime, but with Grace's help Harry manages to resist.

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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.