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The “White Caps”
(1905) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 835 feet
Directed by Edwin S. Porter and Wallace McCutcheon
Cast: Arthur Johnson, Kate Toncray, John R. Cumpson, [?] Lionel Barrymore? [the abusive husband]
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / Cinematography by Edwin S. Porter. / © 14 September 1905 by Thomas A. Edison [H65546]. Released September 1905. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Toncray’s film debut.
Drama: Crime.
Synopsis: [From Edison promotional materials] During the rapid march of civilization in America, covering the past fifty years, certain social conditions developed which had to be regulated and controlled by unusual methods. A lawless and criminal element almost invariably accompanied the advance guard of civilization and to keep this element in check the law abiding citizens were compelled to secretly organize themselves for their own protection. The “Vigilantes” during the gold excitement of ’49 in California and the “White Caps” of more recent years in Ohio, Indiana, and other Western States, are well-known organizations which dealt summarily with outlaws and the criminal classes in general. We have portrayed in Motion Pictures, in a most vivid and realistic manner, the method employed by the “White Caps” to rid the community of undesirable citizens.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 12 April 2024.
References: Fell-History p. 39; Musser-Before p. 27; Pitts-Hollywood p. 45; Shipman-Cinema p. 34 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
Home video: DVD.
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