| The Exploits of Elaine | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical poster for Chapter 13 | |
| Directed by | Louis J. Gasnier George B. Seitz Leopold Wharton Theodore Wharton |
| Written by | Charles W. Goddard George B. Seitz Basil Dickey Arthur B. Reeve |
| Produced by | Leopold Wharton Theodore Wharton George B. Seitz |
| Starring | Pearl White Arnold Daly Sheldon Lewis |
| Distributed by | Pathé Exchange Whartons Studio |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Exploits of Elaine is a 1914 American film serial in the damsel in distress genre of The Perils of Pauline (1914).
The Exploits of Elaine tells the story of a young woman named Elaine who, with the help of a detective, tries to find the man, known only as "The Clutching Hand", who murdered her father.[1] The Clutching Hand was the first mystery villain to appear in a film serial. The concept was widely used for the remainder of the format's existence.
The serial stars Pearl White (who also starred in The Perils of Pauline), Arnold Daly, Sheldon Lewis, Creighton Hale, and Riley Hatch. Lionel Barrymore had a small role. The serial was written by Arthur B. Reeve (novel), Charles W. Goddard, and George B. Seitz, and directed by Louis J. Gasnier, Seitz, and Leopold Wharton. The film was produced by the Wharton Studio of Ithaca, New York, and distributed by Pathé Exchange, the American distribution branch of the French company Pathé at that time. Pathé was the largest film equipment and production company in the world during the first part of the 20th century.
The film was followed in 1915 by The New Exploits of Elaine.
The serial, which is extant, was named to the United States National Film Registry in 1994 for its cultural and historic importance.[2][3]
- ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 61. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ^ Progressive Silent Film List: The Exploits of Elaine at silentera.com
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-04-28.