The Exploits of Elaine

The Exploits of Elaine
Directed by	Louis J. Gasnier George B. Seitz Leopold Wharton
Produced by	Leopold Wharton Theodore Wharton
Written by	Charles W. Goddard George B. Seitz
Starring	Pearl White Arnold Daly Sheldon Lewis
Release date(s)	December 28, 1914
Country	United States
Language	Silent film English intertitles
Preceded by	The Perils of Pauline (1914 serial)
Followed by	The New Exploits of Elaine (1915)

The Exploits of Elaine is a 1914 film serial in the genre of The Perils of Pauline, and even outgrossed that serial in ticket sales. It 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.

The Clutching Hand was the first Mystery villain to appear in film serials. 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.

It was written by Charles W. Goddard, Arthur B. Reeve (story) and George B. Seitz. It was directed by Louis J. Gasnier, Seitz and Leopold Wharton. It was produced by the American branch of Pathé, the French company that during the first part of the 20th Century, was the largest film equipment and production company in the world.

The Exploits of Elaine was followed in 1915 by The New Exploits of Elaine.

The serial has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Cast

• Pearl White - Elaine Dodge
• Arnold Daly - Detective Craig Kennedy
• Creighton Hale - Walter Jameson (Ep. 1, 2, 3)
• Raymond Owens - Walter Jameson (Ep. 4-14)
• Sheldon Lewis - Perry Bennett / The Clutching Hand. Sheldon Lewis, as the handsome attorney Perry Bennett and The Clutching Hand, was "the first in the serial genre's long parade of unknown menaces"^[1][2]
• Edwin Arden - Wu Fang
• Leroy Baker - The Butler
• Bessie Wharton - Aunt Josephine, Mrs. Dodge
• Riley Hatch - President Dodge (as William Riley Hatch)
• Robin H. Townley - Limpy Red
• Floyd Buckley - Michael
• Lionel Barrymore - Undetermined Role
• M.W. Rale - Wong Lang Sin. Long Sin is a Yellow Peril character, who wants the Clutching Hand's treasure map. He became just an agent of Wu Fang in the sequel. Wu Fang appeared in several Pearl White serials.^[3]
• George B. Seitz
• Howard Cody - Undetermined Role
• Paul Panzer - Undetermined Role (unconfirmed)

Production

Exploits of Elaine was based on a book in the "Craig Kennedy, Scientific Detective" series by Arthur B. Reeve.^[1]

It was a prototype for the scientific mystery serials but has less interest for later audiences. A lot of the technology and science is now out of date. For example, the serial has to explain the concept of fingerprinting in dramatic fashion.^[1]

The serial was successful enough to lead to two sequels, The New Exploits of Elaine (1915) and The Romance of Elaine (1915)^[1]

Cliffhangers

In chapter ten, Elaine actually dies. She is brought back to life in the next chapter by Craig Kennedy.^[2]

Critical reception

In the opinion of Stedman, this serial is an improvement on The Perils of Pauline, with better acting, script and direction.^[1]

Chapter titles

1. The Clutching Hand
2. The Twilight Sleep
3. The Vanishing Jewels
4. The Frozen Safe
5. The Poisoned Room
6. The Vampire
7. The Double Trap
8. The Hidden Voice
9. The Death Ray
10. The Life Current
11. The Hour of Three
12. The Blood Crystals
13. The Devil Worshippers
14. The Reckoning

See also

• List of American films of 1914
• List of film serials
• List of film serials by studio

References

External links

• episodes 2,3, and 9 at Google video
• The Exploits of Elaine at the Internet Movie Database
• The Exploits of Elaine at Allmovie