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Grace Cunard (right).
Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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Washington at
Valley Forge
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Four reels
Directed by Francis Ford
Cast: Francis Ford [the spy], Grace Cunard [Betty], Harry Schumm [Betty’s brother], Peter Leon (Pedro León) [George Washington], Ernest Shields [LaFayette], Harry Edmundson [the innkeeper]
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Gold Seal; Universal Special Feature]. / Scenario by Francis Ford and Grace Cunard. / Released 30 March 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / A remake of A Heroine of ’76 (1911).
Drama: Historical.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? The great awakening in the Colonies in the spring of 1775; the patriotic activities of Samuel Adams and John Hancock; the midnight ride of Paul Revere; the gathering of the Minute Men and the battle of Lexington, all these important details of Colonial history are shown as a prelude to the intense war romance woven around the situation at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777, when the cause of Liberty looked next to Betty, daughter of a Minute Man who was killed in the battle of Lexington, is stopping at the inn of her uncle, a Tory sympathizer, near the winter camp of Washington’s army at Valley Forge. Betty loves and is courted by a rebel soldier, who in reality is a British spy. A detachment of Hessians are occupying the inn when news arrives from Valley Forge that the time is propitious for attacking the Continentals. Betty overhears the plans of the Hessians. To carry word of the proposed attack to Washington, she disguises herself as a crippled boy, and by a clever ruse obtains possession of the written plans of the Hessians. As she emerges from the inn she meets her sweetheart, the spy. Trusting in him, she tells him of her purpose and he takes the plans and promises to deliver them to Washington. She returns to the inn and removes her disguise. Instead of carrying out Betty’s instructions, the spy brings word to the Hessians that Washington will spend the night at the inn. Betty’s brother, who has been granted a leave of absence by Washington to visit his sister, is concealed near the inn. He hears the spy betray his commander. The brother attacks the spy and in the battle the brother is overpowered, but not before Betty learns the true identity of the man she loves. The spy and the Hessians then plot to murder Washington if he arrives at the inn. Their plans are again overheard by Betty. Before she can do anything, however, the Hessians are hidden in the house, and Washington and Lafayette arrive. The conspirators intend to murder Washington as he sleeps and he is conducted to a bedroom by the Tory innkeeper. Betty now liberates her brother and tells him to flee to Valley Forge and bring the Continental soldiers to save their general. Betty then goes to Washington’s bedroom and tells him: “The landlord says will you take the other room, sir. This one is already taken.” Washington, with no suspicion of the girl’s noble purpose, is led into her bedroom while she returns and occupies his room. The spy cannot prevail upon any one of the bloody soldiers to do the bloody deed, so he decides to do it himself. He steals upstairs and into the room he supposes is occupied by Washington. Once beside the bed, he plunges his dagger into the form which is lying before him. In the meantime, Betty’s brother has warned the Continentals of the plot against Washington’s life. Lafayette hurries to the inn with, a detachment of soldiers. Upon his arrival at the inn he accuses the spy. “Too late,” cried the traitor, “your commander lies dead upstairs.” At this intense moment General Washington comes downstairs, unscratched. A moment later, Betty follows him wounded to death. She denounces her former sweetheart and dies. The spy is taken prisoner and carried away to await the punishment which is reserved for traitors.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) - Assassination attempts - Battle of Concord (19 April 1775) - Battle of Lexington (19 April 1775) - British - Death - Espionage - George Washington - Inns - John Hancock - Paul Revere - Samuel Adams - Self-sacrifice - Soldiers - Spies - USA: Pennsylvania: Valley Forge
Listing updated: 30 November 2023.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.4810; Braff-Universal n. 8788; Fell-History p. 67; Pitts-Hollywood p. 4; Tarbox-Lost pp. 202, 205 : ClasIm-224 p. 42 : Website-ASFFDb; Website-IMDb.
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