The Kaiser's Finish (1918)
Drama | November 1918
Director:
John Joseph HarveyWriters:
John Joseph Harvey, Clifford P. SaumProducer:
S. L. WarnerEditor:
William NighProduction Company:
Warner BrothersThe Kaiser’s Finish contains newsreel footage of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Crown Prince Wilhelm as well as actual warfare scenes. An article in the 26 Sep 1918 Wid’s Daily stated that Warner Brothers’ Harry and Abe Warner financed the picture and produced it in secret. They had reportedly been inspired by the success of My Four Years in Germany (1918, see entry). That film’s director, William Nigh, was brought on as a supervisor, and several of the cast members were hired: Earl Schenck, who reprised the role of the “Crown Prince”; Louis Dean, who reprised the role of “The Kaiser”; and Percy Standing and Fred G. Hearn. Wid’s Daily noted that the story was inspired by “the oft-repeated rumor of the Kaiser’s illegitimate sons.” The 22 Nov 1918 Var claimed the film was based on Ambassador James W. Gerard’s second book, 1918’s Face to Face with Kaiserism.
The picture was released via states’ rights. The 2 Oct 1918 and 9 Oct 1918 issues of Wid’s Daily announced early sales to Gordon and Mayer of Boston, MA; John Kunsky of Detroit, MI; Peter Sotus of Cleveland, OH; the First National Exchange of Indianapolis; Freeman of Pittsburgh, PA; and F. Ferrandini of Richmond, VA. A 26 Oct 1918 Motion Picture News review predicted the film’s success, stating, “It seems that every picture produced with the Kaiser as the central figure has invariably proved a good box office attraction.” ...
The Kaiser’s Finish contains newsreel footage of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Crown Prince Wilhelm as well as actual warfare scenes. An article in the 26 Sep 1918 Wid’s Daily stated that Warner Brothers’ Harry and Abe Warner financed the picture and produced it in secret. They had reportedly been inspired by the success of My Four Years in Germany (1918, see entry). That film’s director, William Nigh, was brought on as a supervisor, and several of the cast members were hired: Earl Schenck, who reprised the role of the “Crown Prince”; Louis Dean, who reprised the role of “The Kaiser”; and Percy Standing and Fred G. Hearn. Wid’s Daily noted that the story was inspired by “the oft-repeated rumor of the Kaiser’s illegitimate sons.” The 22 Nov 1918 Var claimed the film was based on Ambassador James W. Gerard’s second book, 1918’s Face to Face with Kaiserism.
The picture was released via states’ rights. The 2 Oct 1918 and 9 Oct 1918 issues of Wid’s Daily announced early sales to Gordon and Mayer of Boston, MA; John Kunsky of Detroit, MI; Peter Sotus of Cleveland, OH; the First National Exchange of Indianapolis; Freeman of Pittsburgh, PA; and F. Ferrandini of Richmond, VA. A 26 Oct 1918 Motion Picture News review predicted the film’s success, stating, “It seems that every picture produced with the Kaiser as the central figure has invariably proved a good box office attraction.”
In pre-World War I Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm fathers a number of illegitimate children and sends them to various parts of the world to be reared by his loyal agents. Under the guardianship of Dr. Carl Von Strumpf, one of these children, Robert Busch, grows up believing that he is the son of wealthy German-American Richard Busch, but in reality, Strumpf and Busch are servants of the Kaiser. When the U.S. declares war on Germany, Robert expresses his earnest desire to enlist in the American army, much to the delight of his patriotic sister Emily. Before he can do so, however, Strumpf tells Robert the secret of his parentage, believing that the young man now will be eager to fight for Germany's cause. Robert feigns enthusiasm but secretly offers his services to the U.S. government, and with the passport provided him by the Pan-German league, he goes to Germany and kills the crown prince. Next, he shoots the Kaiser and blows up the entire palace, thus sacrificing his life for the principles of ...
In pre-World War I Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm fathers a number of illegitimate children and sends them to various parts of the world to be reared by his loyal agents. Under the guardianship of Dr. Carl Von Strumpf, one of these children, Robert Busch, grows up believing that he is the son of wealthy German-American Richard Busch, but in reality, Strumpf and Busch are servants of the Kaiser. When the U.S. declares war on Germany, Robert expresses his earnest desire to enlist in the American army, much to the delight of his patriotic sister Emily. Before he can do so, however, Strumpf tells Robert the secret of his parentage, believing that the young man now will be eager to fight for Germany's cause. Robert feigns enthusiasm but secretly offers his services to the U.S. government, and with the passport provided him by the Pan-German league, he goes to Germany and kills the crown prince. Next, he shoots the Kaiser and blows up the entire palace, thus sacrificing his life for the principles of democracy.
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