Volume II: Filmography

FOR WASHINGTON

Kitty Horn played the title role in THE PATRIOT MAID OF '76, also known as FOR WASHINGTON. Courtesy Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (X-300)

a.k.a. THE PATRIOT MAID OF '76

February 21, 1911 (Tuesday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Cast: Kitty Horn (the patriotic maid)

Notes: 1. This film was originally announced to the trade as The Patriot Maid of '76, then the title was changed to For Washington by the time of its release, possibly because of the somewhat similar title of a Rex film released around the same time (see Note 3). 2. A scene from the film was the cover illustration on the February 11, 1911 issue of The Moving Picture World. A full-page reproduction of a scene from this film appears on page 284 of the same issue. 3. A related theme characterized the film A Heroine of '76, released on February 16, 1911 by the Rex Motion Picture Manufacturing Company, and described as follows: "If this courageous girl had not acted as she did, Washington could not have crossed the Delaware, probably Cornwallis would never have surrendered at Yorktown, and maybe there wouldn't be any United States at all - but the fact is, his life was saved, so all this unpleasant contemplation is eliminated, and all these 'ifs' of history can be better appreciated." However, additional printed information concerning the Rex film indicates that the plot was constructed entirely differently from the Thanhouser effort.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, February 25, 1911:

"We all know of Washington's remarkable feat in crossing the Delaware River at Trenton with half of his command, surprising the Hessians and making them his prisoners; but how advance word of helplessness of his enemy reached the great general has ever been a matter of much mystery. The bearer of the message was the very patriot maid here portrayed, who, with her American scout sweetheart severely wounded, cleverly disguises herself, takes her lover's message to Washington and leads her countrymen to the house where the Hessian officers, whom she had before this plied with drink, are lying in drunken sleep. Through her aid, Washington reaches the Hessian headquarters, is admitted by the wounded scout, and the enemy awake to find the American flag flying over them and the American army in full possession of their camp, the victors in one of the most bloodless yet decisive struggles of the Revolution.

"The ingenuity of the patriot maid is perhaps best shown in her reception of the Hessian officers when they enter Trenton and select her home for their headquarters. Hating bitterly the very sign of a redcoat, she nevertheless treats their attentions with diplomacy, showing merely reserve and not resentment. By her conduct she completely disarms any suspicions the Hessians may have entertained as to her loyalty. They willingly allow her to set before them the intoxicating cup - and even compliment her on the superior brew as they drain it. Certainly, if woman is senseless, there are exceptions to the rule, and the patriot aide is an admirable one."

REVIEW, The Billboard, February 25, 1911:

"An incident from history at the period of the Revolution is the makeup of this picture. A girl's bravery and wit results in Washington's victory over the Hessians at Trenton. Scenes, such as Washington crossing the Delaware River, are shown. It is a most interesting subject, enhanced in value by good acting and fine photography."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, February 26, 1911:

"Apropos of the season, another Washington picture of a semi-historic character has met with huge favor - as presented by the Thanhouser Company. This tale is based upon the incident of General Washington crossing the Delaware River and taking the British and Hessian troops under the command of Colonel Rahl unawares. The picture play gives a bit of so far unrecorded historic facts. A patriot soldier seeks refuge in the house in which Colonel Rahl makes his headquarters, being secreted in the cellar by his sweetheart, who entertains the British officer and his staff. Her lover gives her a secret message to Washington, which is to inform the American commander that he can take Trenton that night if he crosses the Delaware. The girl overhears the English password, dons a uniform of the Colonel's, and escapes to the Continental lines, where she is received by Washington. He at once starts for Trenton, crosses the river in true historic fashion (according to the artist Trumbull, who is rather faithfully followed), and takes Rahl and his entire command, the two lovers uniting their cheers with those of the Yankees. The story was well acted and proved highly entertaining. Two small details might be criticized. The troops in landing should not be spread out as they are, one or two group pictures being taken instead, and the cannon could have been drawn along as if it were a real cannon instead of a wooden dummy."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 4, 1911:

"A suitable picture for Washington's birthday, proposing to tell the story of who informed Washington that the Hessians were in condition to be easily captured at Trenton. The patriot maid is well acted in her part, and this interesting episode is so clearly portrayed that there can be no misunderstanding. She is represented as plying them with drink and then informing the Americans that they could be captured. Whether the story is true or not, and it might be, it has an element of plausibility which adds to the interest and serves to emphasize the intense patriotism which influenced people of both sexes and all stations in life during the Revolution. There could be no mistake about this. The story is so well told that the audience is held almost spellbound in places as the reel moves through the changing scenes. It is admirably done, staging, acting and photography combining to make an exceptionally attractive picture of this patriotic subject."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 1, 1911:

"The story of Washington crossing the Delaware and surprising the Hessian soldiers at Trenton is remarkably well done in many points in this picture. Whether the story woven in is authentic cannot be vouched for, but history does say that the nine-mile march and crossing was done at night in a blizzard - an impossible procedure in a picture perhaps. The scene of crossing the Delaware is an acceptable and painstaking copy of the well-known painting of this event. In the march the flag, it should be noted, is an anachronism as the flag was not adopted by Congress until June 14, 1777, six months after the famous crossing. The march is well conceived. The story is that of the patriotic maid taking the dispatches from her exhausted or pursued lover to their destination. The picture is as a whole an excellent and artistic work, its chief fault being the general absence of snow."

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