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Frame enlargement: Silent Era image collection.
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The Hazards of Helen
(1914-1917) United States of America
B&W : Serial / 119 chapters / 119 reels
Directed by J.P. McGowan (chapters 1-17 and 19-48), Robert G. Vignola (chapter 18), James Davis (J. Gunnis Davis), [?] + [Helen Holmes, Paul C. Hurst and Leo D. Maloney]?
Cast: Helen Holmes [Helen, the Lone Point operator, the Spring Station operator, the Rexford operator, and the Hobart Tower operator (chapters 1-48)], Helen Gibson [Helen (chapters 49-119)], Leo D. Maloney [Duncan (chapter 4); Billy Melville, a conductor (chapter 5); Dick Malling, an aeronaut (chapter 6); Sheridan, a railroad detective (chapter 7); Harcourt, a soldier (chapter 19); Billy Garwood, express messenger (chapter 20); King, a brakeman (chapter 21); Bill Brody, a teamster (chapter 22); Tom Walker, owner of the Hope Mine (chapter 23); Billy, a lineman (chapter 24); Jim, Charlie’s boyhood friend (chapter 25); Bond, the chief dispatcher (chapter 26); Norris, a criminal (chapter 28); Jim Noyes, a wiretapping accomplice (chapter 29); Morton, the baggageman (chapter 30); Tony, a Mexican sectionhand (chapter 31); Hume, a quarryman (chapter 32); Warren, a railroad detective (chapter 33); Wheeler, a yeggman (chapter 34); and a tramp], G.A. Williams (George A. Williams) [Contractor Haddon (chapter 2); Tom O’Grady, the section foreman (chapter 4); ‘Spud’ Hogan, a yeggman (chapter 20); Corning, a conductor (chapter 21); the passenger conductor (chapter 22); Williams, owner of the Boss Mine (chapter 23); Sharky, an agent of a rival railroad (chapter 24); Gerald, the power plant engineer (chapter 25); Deering, leader of the Wharf Rat Gang (chapter 30); O’Mally, the section foreman (chapter 31); Griffin, a traveler (chapter 34); and Constable Duncan, the Secret Service detective], J.P. McGowan [Lockwood, the old flagman (chapter 19); Warren, a railman (chapter 28); Thomas, the wiretapper chief (chapter 29); Rand, a yeggman; Dan Haddon, a cowboy; Brandt, a cashier; Blake, a lineman; a train controller; Rand, a fireman; Trow, the wrecking crewman; and Benton], Pearl Hoxie [Fanny Benton, the child (chapter 1)], Ethel Clisbee [Mrs. Benton (chapter 1); and Mrs. Blake (chapter 3)], Paul C. Hurst [Benton, a foreman (chapter 2)], William Ehfe [Gregg, Haddon’s assistant (chapter 2); Blake, the Fireman (chapter 3); and Red Durham, a yeggman (chapter 4)], Charles Wells [Benton, an engineer (chapter 3)], Hart Hoxie (Jack Hoxie) [Hanson (chapter 3)], M.J. Murchison [?] and T. Murchison? [Mike Keenan, Red’s pal (chapter 4); Flint, a yeggman (chapter 5); Frisco Tommy, a yeggman (chapter 20); Velasquez (chapter 31); [?] ‘Spud’ Doyle, a yeggman (chapter 33)?; and Broden], [?] R.S. Antibus or R.S. Anibus? [Brent, a fence (chapter 5)], Anna Q. Nilsson [Helen, the night operator at Buxton (chapter 18)], Harry Millarde [Bob, an express messenger (chapter 18)], Helen Lindroth [Grace, Bob’s wife (chapter 18)], Robert D. Walker [Haines, a tramp (chapter 18)], James B. Ross [Blackhall, a gang leader (chapter 18)], Arthur Albertson [Tracy, a gang member (chapter 18)], Henry Hallam [Rice, the express superintendent (chapter 18)], Rex Downs [the freight conductor (chapter 22); Evans, foreman of the Boss Mine (chapter 23); Charlie, Gerald’s son (chapter 25); Marks, the superintendent (chapter 26); Wheeler, a criminal (chapter 28)], N.Z. Wood [Merkey, president of the smelter (chapter 23)], George Sloan [Brenton, an accomplice of Sharky’s (chapter 24); Walter Heddon [Elkins, an accomplice of Sharky’s (chapter 24); Elsie MacLeod [Rita, a telegraph operator (chapter 27)], George Robinson [Henry, the relief operator (chapter 29)], Ellen McCracken [Mrs. Wheeler (chapter 32)], Kenneth Williams [Billy Wheeler (chapter 32)], James Davis (J. Gunnis Davis) [‘Chicago’ Tim, a yeggman (chapter 33); Pete, a tramp], Edward Roberts [Walter, a yeggman (chapter 34)], Billy Boy (True Boardman Jr) [Jerry (chapter 58)], Tom Trent [Bobbie (chapter 59)], Clarence Burton [Layson], George Routh [the superintendent], Edward Gibson [?] and Hall Gibson? (Hoot Gibson) [Orturo (chapter 31); Etzer; and a messenger], Franklin Hall (Franklyn Hall) [Odell, an engineer], Clement Graw [Pinture, the fireman], Ben Jones [a train worker], Robyn Adair, [?] Pearl Anibus or Pearl Antibus?, [?] Bobbie Antibus or Bobbie Anibus?, [?] Jeanie Antibus or Jeanie Anibus?, [?] Norma Antibus or Norma Anibus?, Gladys Blue, True Boardman (Sr), Hal Clements, Betty Hartigan, Frank Henderson, Richard Johnson, Jack Messick, Tom Mean, Jack Messick, Charles Mulgro, P.S. Pembroke (Scott Pembroke), Chief Phillipi, E.Z. Roberts (Edward Roberts), Harry Schumm, Hi Sing, A. Edward Sutherland (Eddie Sutherland), Roy Watson
Kalem Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Paul C. Hurst. Scenario by Frank Howard Clark, E.W. Matlack (Edward Matlack) (chapters 20, 22, 24, 26, 28-29, and 31-34), Helen Holmes (chapter 23), Scott Darling and Harry O. Hoyt (chapter 18), from a play adaptation by Denman Thompson of a novel by John Russell Corvell. Stunt performers, [?] Hall Gibson and/or Edward Gibson? (Hoot Gibson), [?] Harold Lloyd?, Leo D. Maloney, Jean Perkins and A. Edward Sutherland (Eddie Sutherland). / 119 chapters (one reel each): [1] “Helen’s Sacrifice,” released 14 November 1914; [2] “The Plot at the R.R. Cut,” released 21 November 1914; [3] “The Girl at the Throttle,” released 28 November 1914; [4] “The Stolen Engine,” released 5 December 1914; [5] “The Flying Freight’s Captive,” released 12 December 1914; [6] “The Black Diamond Express,” released 19 December 1914; [7] “The Escape on the Limited,” released 26 December 1914; [8] “The Girl Telegrapher’s Peril,” released 2 January 1915 ; [9] “The Leap from the Water Tower,” released 9 January 1915 ; [10] “The Broken Circuit,” released 16 January 1915 ; [11] “The Fast Mail’s Danger,” released 23 January 1915 ; [12] “The Little Engineer,” released 30 January 1915 ; [13] “Escape of the Fast Freight,” released 6 February 1915 (925 feet); [14] “The Red Signal,” released 13 February 1915 ; [15] “The Engineer’s Peril,” released 20 February 1915; [16] “The Open Drawbridge,” released 27 February 1915; [17] “The Death Train,” released 6 March 1915; [18] “The Night Operator at Buxton,” released 13 March 1915; [19] “Railroad Raiders of ’62,” released 20 March 1915; [20] “The Girl at Lone Point,” released 27 March 1915; [21] “A Life in the Balance,” released 3 April 1915; [22] “The Girl on the Trestle,” released 10 April 1915; [23] “The Girl Engineer,” released 17 April 1915; [24] “A Race for a Crossing,” released 24 April 1915; [25] “The Box Car Trap,” released 1 May 1915; [26] “The Wild Engine,” released 8 May 1915; [27] “A Fiend at the Throttle,” released 15 May 1915; [28] “The Broken Train,” released 22 May 1915; [29] “A Railroader’s Bravery,” released 29 May 1915; [30] “The Human Chain,” released 5 June 1915; [31] “The Pay Train,” released 12 June 1915; [32] “Near Eternity,” released 19 June 1915; [33] “In Danger’s Path,” released 26 June 1915; [34] “The Midnight Limited,” released 3 July 1915; [35] “A Wild Ride,” released 10 July 1915; [36] “A Deed of Daring,” released 17 July 1915; [37] “The Girl on the Engine,” released 24 July 1915; [38] “The Fate of #1,” released 31 July 1915; [39] “The Substitute Fireman,” released 7 August 1915; [40] “The Limited’s Peril,” released 14 August 1915; [41] “A Perilous Chance,” released 21 August 1915; [42] “Train Order #45,” released 28 August 1915; [43] “The Broken Rail,” released 4 September 1915; [44] “Nerves of Steel,” released 11 September 1915; [45] “A Girl’s Grit,” released 18 September 1915; [46] “A Matter of Seconds,” released 25 September 1915; [47] “The Runaway Boxcar,” released 2 October 1915; [48] “The Water Tank Plot,” released 9 October 1915; [49] “A Test of Courage,” released 16 October 1915; [50] “A Mile a Minute,” released 23 October 1915; [51] “Rescue of the Brakeman’s Children,” released 30 October 1915; [52] “Danger Ahead,” released 6 November 1915; [53] “The Girl and the Special,” released 13 November 1915; [54] “The Girl on the Bridge,” released 20 November 1915; [55] “The Dynamite Train,” released 27 November 1915; [56] “The Tramp Telegrapher,” released 4 December 1915; [57] “Crossed Wires,” released 11 December 1915; [58] “The Wrong Train Order,” released 18 December 1915; [59] “A Boy at the Throttle,” released 25 December 1915; [60] “At the Risk of Her Life,” released 1 January 1916; [61] “When Seconds Count,” released 8 January 1916; [62] “The Haunted Station,” released 15 January 1916; [63] “The Open Track,” released 22 January 1916; [64] “Tapped Wires,” released 29 January 1916; [65] “The Broken Wire,” released 5 February 1916; [66] “Perils of the Rails,” released 12 February 1916 [67] “A Perilous Swing,” released 19 February 1916; [68] “The Switchman’s Story,” released 26 February 1916; [69] “A Girl Telegrapher’s Nerve,” released 4 March 1916; [70] “A Race for a Life,” released 11 March 1916; [71] “The Girl Who Dared,” released 18 March 1916; [72] “The Detective’s Peril,” released 25 March 1916; [73] “The Trapping of ‘Peeler White’,” released 1 April 1916; [74] “The Record Run,” released 8 April 1916; [75] “The Race for a Siding,” released 15 April 1916; [76] “The Governor’s Special,” released 22 April 1916; [77] “The Trail of Danger,” released 29 April 1916; [78] “The Human Telegram,” released 6 May 1916; [79] “The Bridge of Danger,” released 13 May 1916; [80] “One Chance in a Hundred,” released 20 May 1916; [81] “The Capture of Red Stanley,” released 27 May 1916; [82] “Spiked Switch,” released 3 June 1916; [83] “Treasure Train,” released 10 June 1916; [84] “A Race Through the Air,” released 17 June 1916; [85] “The Mysterious Cypher,” released 24 June 1916; [86] “The Engineer’s Honor,” released 1 July 1916; [87] “To Save the Road,” released 8 July 1916; [88] “The Broken Brake,” released 15 July 1916; [89] “In Death’s Pathway,” released 22 July 1916; [90] “A Plunge from the Sky,” released 29 July 1916; [91] “A Mystery of the Rails,” released 5 August 1916; [92] “Hurled Through the Drawbridge,” released 12 August 1916; [93] “With the Aid of The Wrecker,” released 19 August 1916; [94] “At Danger’s Call,” released 26 August 1916; [95] “Secret of the Box Car,” released 2 September 1916; [96] “Ablaze on the Rails,” released 9 September 1916; [97] “The Hoodoo of Division B,” released 16 September 1916; [98] “Defying Death,” released 23 September 1916; [99] “The Death Swing,” released 30 September 1916; [100] “The Blocked Track,” released 7 October 1916; [101] “To Save the Special,” released 14 October 1916; [102] “A Daring Chance,” released 21 October 1916; [103] “The Last Messenger,” released 28 October 1916; [104] “The Gate of Death,” released 3 November 1916; [105] “The Lone Point Mystery,” released 10 November 1916; [106] “The Runaway Sleeper,” released 17 November 1916; [107] “The Forgotten Train Order,” released 24 November 1916; [108] “The Trial Run,” released 1 December 1916; [109] “The Lineman’s Peril,” released 8 December 1916; [110] “The Midnight Express,” released 15 December 1916; [111] “The Vanishing Box Car,” released 23 December 1916; [112] “A Race with Death,” released 29 December 1916; [113] “The Morgul Mountain Mystery,” released 5 January 1917; [114] “The Fireman’s Nemesis,” released 12 January 1917; [115] “The Wrecked Station,” released 19 January 1917; [116] “Railroad Claim Intrigue,” released 26 January 1917; [117] “The Death Siding,” released 2 February 1917; [118] “The Prima Donna’s Special,” released 9 February 1917; [119] “The Side Tracked Sleeper,” released 16 February 1917. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Holmes worked on the early chapters and was replaced for chapter 49 by Gibson, who had been working as Holmes’ stunt double. McGowan directed the chapters featuring Holmes, Davis directed the Gibson chapters. Chapter 69 was [?] rereleased? in 1916 as “The Girl Telegrapher’s Nerve.” Another chapter was [?] rereleased in 1916? under the chapter title “The Agent and the Operator at Lone Point”. [?] Braff-Short n. 10 lists the length of chapter 96 as two reels.
Drama: Action.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost : Fragmentary prints exist in the Library of Congress film archive [35mm positives (chapters 1, 3, 39, 63, 69, 76 and 96; chapters 13, 26 and 106)]; in the British Film Institute National Archive film archive [chapters 20-21]; in the George Eastman Museum film archive [chapter 108]; in the film holdings of Film Preservation Associates (Blackhawk Films collection) [16mm reduction positives, 8mm reduction positives (chapters 9, 26 and 33)]; in the EYE Film Instituut Nederland film archive [unidentified chapter]; and in private film collections [16mm reduction positives (chapters 9, 31 and 33)].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Crime: Counterfeiting - Railroads - Serials - Telegraphs: Telegraphers - Transportation: Trains
Listing updated: 29 April 2023.
References: Braff-Short n. 10; Brownlow-Parade p. 316; Edmonds-BigU p. 116; Fell-History p. 90; Lahue-Bound p. 85; Lahue-Collecting p. 46; Lahue-Continued pp. 22, 23-25, 26, 62b, 155-157, 285; Lahue-World pp. 27, 66; Pitts-Hollywood p. 145; Sklar-Movie p. 89; Stedman-Serials pp. 7, 35; Tarbox-Lost pp. 222, 231, 237 : Website-IMDb; Website-SerSq : with additional information provided by Ivo Blom, Tim Boone and Bruce Calvert.
Home video: Blu-ray Disc, DVD.
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