The Dawn of Understanding (1918)
Comedy-drama, Western | 2 December 1918
Director:
David SmithWriter:
Edward J. MontagneProduction Company:
Vitagraph Co. of America; A Blue Ribbon FeatureAccording to the 7 December 1918 Moving Picture World, "The picture was made in Southern California and out on the Mohave desert. David Smith directed the feature and obtained many striking scenes. He crossed the California-Arizona line and invaded Death Valley in search of true Bret Harte atmosphere."
Var erroneously credits Jack Williams with the role of Ira Beasley.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021. ...
According to the 7 December 1918 Moving Picture World, "The picture was made in Southern California and out on the Mohave desert. David Smith directed the feature and obtained many striking scenes. He crossed the California-Arizona line and invaded Death Valley in search of true Bret Harte atmosphere."
Var erroneously credits Jack Williams with the role of Ira Beasley.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
When Silas Prescott's wife dies on the journey out West, he sells his daughter Sue into marriage with local rancher Ira Beasley. Their life together is loveless and lonely until the circus comes to town. Sue is fascinated by wild-tempered acrobat Jim Wynd, and when he takes refuge in her barn after shooting a man in a gambling brawl, she takes care of him. The two are about to elope when the sheriff arrives. Jim tries to abduct Sue and escape but shoots the sheriff and is arrested. He finally is punished for his misdeeds, while Sue and Ira, having learned to love each other, begin a new life ...
When Silas Prescott's wife dies on the journey out West, he sells his daughter Sue into marriage with local rancher Ira Beasley. Their life together is loveless and lonely until the circus comes to town. Sue is fascinated by wild-tempered acrobat Jim Wynd, and when he takes refuge in her barn after shooting a man in a gambling brawl, she takes care of him. The two are about to elope when the sheriff arrives. Jim tries to abduct Sue and escape but shoots the sheriff and is arrested. He finally is punished for his misdeeds, while Sue and Ira, having learned to love each other, begin a new life together.
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement AwardTOP SEARCHES
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Although onscreen credits note that the film was adapted from "Grimms' Fairy Tales," only "Schneewittchen" has been identified as a literary source. "Schneewittchen" was first translated into English ... >>
An American in Paris
Following the cast list in the opening credits, a title card reads: "And presenting The American in Paris Ballet." After the opening credits, the three principal male characters ... >>
Top Gun
The following written prologue appears before the title: “On March 3, 1969 the United States Navy established an elite school for the top one percent of its pilots. Its ... >>
Pinocchio
According to material contained in the production file for this film at the AMPAS Library, the original Carlo Collodi story was written in installments for an Italian weekly magazine. ... >>
The Wizard of Oz
The following dedication appears in the opening credits: “For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to ... >>
