The Hazards of Helen: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Scorpions13256 (talk | contribs)
200,940 edits
survival status
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(32 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
| name = The Hazards of Helen
| name = The Hazards of Helen
| image = HazardsofHelen-Nerves.jpg
| image = HazardsofHelen-Nerves.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = ''The Hazards of Helen'', episode # 44
| caption = ''The Hazards of Helen'', episode # 44
| director = [[J.P. McGowan]]<br>J. Gunnis Davis (billed as James Davis)
| director = [[J.P. McGowan]]<br>[[J. Gunnis Davis]] (billed as James Davis)
| producer =
| producer =
| writer = [[W. Scott Darling]] (screenplay)<br>John Russell Corvell (novel)<br>[[Denman Thompson]] (play)
| writer = [[W. Scott Darling]] (screenplay)<br>John Russell Corvell (novel)<br>[[Denman Thompson]] (play)
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Helen Holmes]]
| starring = [[Helen Holmes (actress)|Helen Holmes]]<br>[[Helen Gibson]]
| music =
| music =
| cinematography =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| editing =
| distributor = [[Kalem Company]]
| distributor = [[Kalem Company]]
| released = {{Film date|1914|11|07}} to {{Film date|1917|2|24}}
| released = {{Film date|1914|11|14}} to {{Film date|1917|2|17}}
| runtime = 23.8 hours<br><small>(altogether)</small>
| runtime = 23.8 hours<br><small>(altogether)</small>
| country =
| country =
Line 20: Line 20:
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''The Hazards of Helen''''' is an [[United States|American]] [[adventure film]] [[Serial (film)|serial]] (or possibly a [[film series]]) of 119 twelve-minute episodes released over a span of slightly more than two years by the [[Kalem Company]] between November 7, 1914 and February 24, 1917.
'''''The Hazards of Helen''''' is an American adventure [[Serial film|film serial]] (or possibly a [[film series]]) of 119 twelve-minute episodes released over a span of slightly more than two years by the [[Kalem Company]] between November 14, 1914, and February 17, 1917. At 23.8 hours, it is one of the longest non-feature-length motion picture series ever filmed, and is believed to be the longest of the film serial format. Based on a novel by [[John Russell Corvell]] and the play by [[Denman Thompson]], the series was adapted to the [[silent film|silent screen]] by [[W. Scott Darling]].

At 23.8 hours, it is one of the longest non-feature-length motion picture series ever filmed, and is believed to be the longest of the film serial format. Based on a novel by [[John Russell Corvell]] and the play by [[Denman Thompson]], the series was adapted to the [[silent film|silent screen]] by [[W. Scott Darling]].


Episodes 1-48 were directed by [[J.P. McGowan]] and the remainder by [[James Davis (director)|James Davis]]. Unlike the [[cliffhanger]] serials of the era, ''The Hazards of Helen'' is actually a film series made up of near autonomous single [[reel]] twelve-minute melodramas. Most episodes of this serial are presumed lost. <ref>http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HazardsOfHelen1914.html</ref>
Episodes 1-48 were directed by [[J.P. McGowan]] and the remainder by [[J. Gunnis Davis]], who was credited as James Davis. Unlike the [[cliffhanger]] serials of the era, ''The Hazards of Helen'' is actually a film series made up of near autonomous single [[reel]] twelve-minute melodramas. Most episodes of this serial are presumed lost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HazardsOfHelen1914.html|title=Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List}}</ref> Others are available online.<ref>https://archive.org/details/DramaDeluxeWithLupinoLane/ColoredVillainy-charleyChase-silent-aKeystoneComedy-mackSennett.mp4</ref>


==Production==
==Production==
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2021}}
Starring an independent, quick-thinking and inventive heroine, the series was filmed on location in the city of [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] and in various parts of [[Tuolumne County, California|Tuolumne County]] in [[California]]. The film offered repeated dramatic situations for "Helen" using such props as a moving train, a runaway boxcar, a [[damsel in distress|heroine in distress]] tied to the railroad tracks, and other dangers. "Helen" did such things as leap off the roof of a building, roar around a sharp mountain curve behind the wheel of her speeding car, or jump onto a moving train from a car or a galloping horse while chasing the [[villain|bad guy]] train robbers. Although the plot occasionally called for Helen to be rescued by a handsome male hero, in most episodes it was the dauntless Helen who found an ingenious way out of her dire predicament and single-handedly collared the bad guys, bringing them to justice.
Starring an independent, quick-thinking and inventive heroine, the series was filmed on location in the city of [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] and in various parts of [[Tuolumne County, California|Tuolumne County]] in [[California]]. The film offered repeated dramatic situations for "Helen," a [[Women in telegraphy|telegrapher]], using such props as a moving train, a runaway boxcar, a [[damsel in distress|heroine in distress]] tied to the railroad tracks, and other dangers. "Helen" did such things as leap off the roof of a building, roar around a sharp mountain curve behind the wheel of her speeding car, or jump onto a moving train from a car or a galloping horse while chasing the [[villain|bad guy]] train robbers. Although the plot occasionally called for Helen to be rescued by a handsome male hero, in most episodes it was the dauntless Helen who found an ingenious way out of her dire predicament and single-handedly collared the bad guys, bringing them to justice.


The film series star, [[Helen Holmes]], who began her career at [[Keystone Studios]], did most of her own stunts. The series used several different [[stunt]]men for the male parts, including [[Leo D. Maloney]] and the up-and-coming [[Harold Lloyd]].
The film series star, [[Helen Holmes (actress)|Helen Holmes]], who began her career at [[Keystone Studios]], did most of her own stunts. The series used several different [[stunt]]men for the male parts, including [[Leo D. Maloney]] and the up-and-coming [[Harold Lloyd]]. <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:HelenHolmes.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Helen Holmes]] in action, 1914]] -->Along with [[Pearl White]], who starred in [[Pathé]]'s adventure serial ''[[The Perils of Pauline (1914 serial)|The Perils of Pauline]]'', Helen Holmes became a much talked about national celebrity and major [[box-office]] draw.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:HelenHolmes.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Helen Holmes]] in action, 1914]] -->
Along with [[Pearl White]], who starred in [[Pathé]]'s adventure serial ''[[The Perils of Pauline (1914 serial)|The Perils of Pauline]]'', Helen Holmes became a much talked about national celebrity and major [[box-office]] draw.
[[File:Helengibsonwiki1.jpg|thumb|100px|[[Helen Gibson]]]]
[[File:Helengibsonwiki1.jpg|thumb|100px|[[Helen Gibson]]]]
Prior to filming the "''Night Operator at Buxton''" (episode 18), Helen Holmes fell ill and [[Anna Q. Nilsson]] replaced her on that one occasion. After 26 episodes, Holmes and director J.P. McGowan left to set up their own film production company. While working on the serial, the two had begun a relationship that led to marriage. Director [[James Davis (director)|James Davis]] took over and [[Elsie McLeod]] substituted in episodes 27-49 until a permanent "Helen" could be found.
Prior to filming the "''Night Operator at Buxton''" (episode 18), Helen Holmes fell ill and [[Anna Q. Nilsson]] replaced her on that one occasion. After 26 episodes, Holmes and director J.P. McGowan left to set up their own film production company. While working on the serial, the two had begun a relationship that led to marriage. Director J. Gunnis Davis took over and [[Elsie McLeod]] substituted in episodes 27-49 until a permanent "Helen" could be found.


The heroine for the remainder of the series was played by [[Helen Gibson|Rose Wenger Gibson]], at the time married to [[Hoot Gibson]]. Rechristened "Helen" by the [[Kalem Company]], she rose to a celebrity status equal to that of Helen Holmes.
The heroine for the remainder of the series was played by [[Helen Gibson|Rose Wenger Gibson]], at the time married to [[Hoot Gibson]]. Rechristened "Helen" by the [[Kalem Company]], she rose to a celebrity status equal to that of Helen Holmes.


"Hazard of Helen" was credited by the Las Vegas Age as the first great motion picture thrill to come to Las Vegas. In 1910 Jack McGowan spent a month or more filming chapters on the corner of Fremont Street and Second. An old mill was erected and then saturated by kerosene then set ablaze by the villain.
''The Hazards of Helen'' was credited by the ''Las Vegas Age'' as the first great motion picture thrill to come to Las Vegas.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


==Preservation==
==Serial or series==
Episode 63 of ''The Hazards of Helen'', ''The Open Track'', was preserved by the [[Academy Film Archive]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Preserved Projects|url=https://www.oscars.org/academy-film-archive/preserved-projects?title=hazards+of+helen&filmmaker=&category=All&collection=All|website=Academy Film Archive}}</ref> Episode 13, ''The Escape on the Fast Freight'', was found in the [[Dawson Film Find]] in 1978.
This is not considered by some to be a [[Serial (film)|film serial]]. The episodes could be shown in any order, making it a [[Film series|film ''series'']] rather than a ''serial''.<ref name="stedman">{{cite book
| last = Stedman
| first = Raymond William
| title = Serials: Suspense and Drama By Installment
| year = 1971
| publisher = University of Oklahoma Press
| isbn = 978-0-8061-0927-5
| chapter = 1. Drama by Instalment
| page = 7
}}</ref>


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
Line 61: Line 49:
* (7) ''The Escape on the Limited''
* (7) ''The Escape on the Limited''
* (8) ''The Girl Telegrapher's Peril''
* (8) ''The Girl Telegrapher's Peril''
* (9) ''The Leap From the Water Tower'' - [https://archive.org/details/TheLeapFromTheWaterTowerEpisode9 available] for free download from [[Internet Archive]]
* (9) ''The Leap from the Water Tower'' - [https://archive.org/details/TheLeapFromTheWaterTowerEpisode9 available] for free download from [[Internet Archive]]
* (10) ''The Broken Circuit''
* (10) ''The Broken Circuit''
* (11) ''The Fast Mail's Danger''
* (11) ''The Fast Mail's Danger''
* (12) ''The Little Engineer''
* (12) ''The Little Engineer''
* (13) ''Escape of the Fast Freight''
* (13) ''The Escape on the Fast Freight''
* (14) ''The Red Signal''
* (14) ''The Red Signal''
* (15) ''The Engineer's Peril''
* (15) ''The Engineer's Peril''
Line 188: Line 176:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|The Hazards of Helen}}
* {{IMDb title|id= 0004052|title=The Hazards of Helen}}
* {{IMDb title|id= 0004052|title=The Hazards of Helen}}
* [http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HazardsOfHelen1914.html ''The Hazards of Helen'' at SilentEra]
* [http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HazardsOfHelen1914.html ''The Hazards of Helen''] at silentera.com
* [https://archive.org/details/hazards_of_helen_wild_engine Episode 26: "The Wild Engine" at Internet Archive]
* [https://archive.org/details/hazards_of_helen_wild_engine Episode 26: "The Wild Engine" at Internet Archive]
* [https://archive.org/details/InDangersPathEpisode33 Episode 33: "In Danger's Path" at Internet Archive]
* [https://archive.org/details/InDangersPathEpisode33 Episode 33: "In Danger's Path" at Internet Archive]

{{J. P. McGowan}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazards of Helen, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazards of Helen, The}}
Line 197: Line 188:
[[Category:1910s adventure films]]
[[Category:1910s adventure films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American silent serial films]]
[[Category:American silent serial films]]
[[Category:Films directed by J. P. McGowan]]
[[Category:Films directed by J. P. McGowan]]
[[Category:Kalem Company films]]
[[Category:Kalem Company films]]
[[Category:Rail transport films]]
[[Category:Rail transport films]]
[[Category:American adventure films]]
[[Category:Silent American adventure films]]
[[Category:Lost American adventure films]]
[[Category:Telegraphists]]
⚫
[[Category:1910s American films]]
[[Category:1910s English-language films]]
[[Category:Damsels in distress]]

Latest revision as of 00:52, 19 May 2024

The Hazards of Helen
The Hazards of Helen, episode # 44
Directed byJ.P. McGowan
J. Gunnis Davis (billed as James Davis)
Written byW. Scott Darling (screenplay)
John Russell Corvell (novel)
Denman Thompson (play)
StarringHelen Holmes
Helen Gibson
Distributed byKalem Company
Release dates
  • November 14, 1914 (1914-11-14)
to
  • February 17, 1917 (1917-02-17)
Running time
23.8 hours
(altogether)

The Hazards of Helen is an American adventure film serial (or possibly a film series) of 119 twelve-minute episodes released over a span of slightly more than two years by the Kalem Company between November 14, 1914, and February 17, 1917. At 23.8 hours, it is one of the longest non-feature-length motion picture series ever filmed, and is believed to be the longest of the film serial format. Based on a novel by John Russell Corvell and the play by Denman Thompson, the series was adapted to the silent screen by W. Scott Darling.

Episodes 1-48 were directed by J.P. McGowan and the remainder by J. Gunnis Davis, who was credited as James Davis. Unlike the cliffhanger serials of the era, The Hazards of Helen is actually a film series made up of near autonomous single reel twelve-minute melodramas. Most episodes of this serial are presumed lost.[1] Others are available online.[2]

Production[edit]

Starring an independent, quick-thinking and inventive heroine, the series was filmed on location in the city of Glendale and in various parts of Tuolumne County in California. The film offered repeated dramatic situations for "Helen," a telegrapher, using such props as a moving train, a runaway boxcar, a heroine in distress tied to the railroad tracks, and other dangers. "Helen" did such things as leap off the roof of a building, roar around a sharp mountain curve behind the wheel of her speeding car, or jump onto a moving train from a car or a galloping horse while chasing the bad guy train robbers. Although the plot occasionally called for Helen to be rescued by a handsome male hero, in most episodes it was the dauntless Helen who found an ingenious way out of her dire predicament and single-handedly collared the bad guys, bringing them to justice.

The film series star, Helen Holmes, who began her career at Keystone Studios, did most of her own stunts. The series used several different stuntmen for the male parts, including Leo D. Maloney and the up-and-coming Harold Lloyd. Along with Pearl White, who starred in Pathé's adventure serial The Perils of Pauline, Helen Holmes became a much talked about national celebrity and major box-office draw.

Helen Gibson

Prior to filming the "Night Operator at Buxton" (episode 18), Helen Holmes fell ill and Anna Q. Nilsson replaced her on that one occasion. After 26 episodes, Holmes and director J.P. McGowan left to set up their own film production company. While working on the serial, the two had begun a relationship that led to marriage. Director J. Gunnis Davis took over and Elsie McLeod substituted in episodes 27-49 until a permanent "Helen" could be found.

The heroine for the remainder of the series was played by Rose Wenger Gibson, at the time married to Hoot Gibson. Rechristened "Helen" by the Kalem Company, she rose to a celebrity status equal to that of Helen Holmes.

The Hazards of Helen was credited by the Las Vegas Age as the first great motion picture thrill to come to Las Vegas.[citation needed]

Preservation[edit]

Episode 63 of The Hazards of Helen, The Open Track, was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.[3] Episode 13, The Escape on the Fast Freight, was found in the Dawson Film Find in 1978.

Episodes[edit]

  • (1) Helen's Sacrifice
  • (2) The Plot at the R.R. Cut
  • (3) The Girl at the Throttle
  • (4) The Stolen Engine
  • (5) The Flying Freight's Captive
  • (6) The Black Diamond Express
  • (7) The Escape on the Limited
  • (8) The Girl Telegrapher's Peril
  • (9) The Leap from the Water Tower - available for free download from Internet Archive
  • (10) The Broken Circuit
  • (11) The Fast Mail's Danger
  • (12) The Little Engineer
  • (13) The Escape on the Fast Freight
  • (14) The Red Signal
  • (15) The Engineer's Peril
  • (16) The Open Drawbridge
  • (17) The Death Train
  • (18) Night Operator at Buxton
  • (19) Railroad Raiders of '62
  • (20) The Girl at Lone Point
  • (21) A Life in the Balance
  • (22) The Girl on the Trestle
  • (23) The Girl Engineer
  • (24) A Race for a Crossing
  • (25) The Box Car Trap
  • (26) The Wild Engine
  • (27) A Fiend at the Throttle
  • (28) The Broken Train
  • (29) A Railroader's Bravery
  • (30) The Human Chain
  • (31) The Pay Train
  • (32) Near Eternity
  • (33) In Danger's Path - available for free download at Internet Archive
  • (34) The Midnight Limited
  • (35) A Wild Ride
  • (36) A Deed of Daring
  • (37) The Girl on the Engine
  • (38) The Fate of #1
  • (39) The Substitute Fireman
  • (40) The Limited's Peril
  • (41) A Perilous Chance
  • (42) Train Order #45
  • (43) The Broken Rail
  • (44) Nerves of Steel
  • (45) A Girl's Grit
  • (46) A Matter of Seconds
  • (47) The Runaway Boxcar
  • (48) The Water Tank Plot
  • (49) A Test of Courage
  • (50) A Mile a Minute
  • (51) Rescue of the Brakeman's Children
  • (52) Danger Ahead
  • (53) The Girl and the Special
  • (54) The Girl on the Bridge
  • (55) The Dynamite Train
  • (56) The Tramp Telegrapher
  • (57) Crossed Wires
  • (58) The Wrong Train Order
  • (59) A Boy at the Throttle
  • (60) At the Risk of Her Life
  • (61) When Seconds Count
  • (62) The Haunted Station
  • (63) The Open Track
  • (64) Tapped Wires
  • (65) The Broken Wire
  • (66) Perils of the Rails
  • (67) A Perilous Swing
  • (68) The Switchman's Story
  • (69) A Girl Telegrapher's Nerve
  • (70) A Race for a Life
  • (71) The Girl Who Dared
  • (72) The Detective's Peril
  • (73) The Trapping of 'Peeler White'
  • (74) The Record Run
  • (75) The Race for a Siding
  • (76) The Governor's Special - available for free download from Internet Archive
  • (77) The Trail of Danger
  • (78) The Human Telegram
  • (79) The Bridge of Danger
  • (80) One Chance in a Hundred
  • (81) The Capture of Red Stanley
  • (82) Spiked Switch
  • (83) Treasure Train
  • (84) A Race Through the Air
  • (85) The Mysterious Cypher
  • (86) The Engineer's Honor
  • (87) To Save the Road
  • (88) The Broken Brake
  • (89) In Death's Pathway
  • (90) A Plunge from the Sky
  • (91) A Mystery of the Rails
  • (92) Hurled Through the Drawbridge
  • (93) With the Aid of The Wrecker
  • (94) At Danger's Call
  • (95) Secret of the Box Car
  • (96) Ablaze on the Rails
  • (97) The Hoodoo of Division B
  • (98) Defying Death
  • (99) The Death Swing
  • (100) The Blocked Track
  • (101) To Save the Special
  • (102) A Daring Chance
  • (103) The Last Messenger
  • (104) The Gate of Death
  • (105) The Lone Point Mystery
  • (106) The Runaway Sleeper
  • (107) The Forgotten Train Order
  • (108) The Trial Run
  • (109) The Lineman's Peril
  • (110) The Midnight Express
  • (111) The Vanishing Box Car
  • (112) A Race with Death
  • (113) The Morgul Mountain Mystery
  • (114) The Fireman's Nemesis
  • (115) The Wrecked Station
  • (116) Railroad Claim Intrigue
  • (117) The Death Siding
  • (118) The Prima Donna's Special
  • (119) The Side Tracked Sleeper

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List".
  2. ^ https://archive.org/details/DramaDeluxeWithLupinoLane/ColoredVillainy-charleyChase-silent-aKeystoneComedy-mackSennett.mp4
  3. ^ "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Hazards of Helen.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Hazards_of_Helen&oldid=1224546358"