The White Caps

The Snow Leopard review really says it all. I'll add that I agree this is an unpleasant, disturbing movie, though powerfully made for its day. The editing and cinematography are inspired by the standards of 1905, even including a tracking shot of the abused wife stumbling for shelter.

Grainy as to be expected for such an early film. I viewed this movie online at some point. It's a bit disturbing for it's time. I was interested and intrigued Lionel Barrymore was listed in it.

But it's in error that the abusive husband is listed in the cast as Lionel Barrymore (uncredited), It's not him. This was 1905. He did not start make his debut in films until 1911. He was most likely living in Paris by 1905. He went there to avoid stage and film work for a number of years. So it makes no sense that would be him. I've seen many of his early Silents and it does not favor him here at all. Not sure who that actor was.

Vigilantes tack a poster on a man's house. He comes home and abuses his wife and daughter. The women flee and the vigilantes attack the house to take the man a prisoner.

It's never made clear to the audience why the man was being attacked. Spousal abuse? Siding with the Tobacco trust against the independent farmers? (That, believe it or not, was also a vigilante group) opposing the Klan? Clearly this was an important movie for 1905, when Edison was still producing lots of 40-second peepshow movies. Looking at it, we can see some padding when the victim escapes and it turns into a chase movie.

Clearly the film makers are sympathetic to the vigilantes. Let's hope it wasn't the Klan.

White Caps, The (1905)

*** (out of 4)

Historically interesting film that deals with the vigilante group known as "The White Caps" who were known throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Like the KKK, this group wore white pillows over their faces but instead of attacking race this group went after those who broke moral issues like beating their wives, harming children and other crimes that make for a bad community. This film shows them going after a man who has just beaten his wife.

Little Train Robbery, The (1905)

*** (out of 4)

Porter remakes his own The Great Train Robbery but this time kids are playing the leads in a childish tale of acting out a robbery. While this certainly isn't as good as the film its based on it remains cute throughout with some nice stunts and scenery.

Seven Ages, The (1905)

*** (out of 4)

Cute little love story that shows a couple over seven ages in their lives from babies to old folks. There's not too much story here other than the two's love for one another but this comes off quite nicely.

The overall quality of this film impressed me, for something that was made nearly a century ago.