Johanna Enlists
About Johanna Enlists
Johanna Ransaller works on her father's backwoods farm from six in the morning until ten at night and prays for a beau. An American mounted unit camps in the fields. Private Vibbard and Lieutenant Le Roy both court her, and the rivalry lands Vibbard in front of a court. Major Whoppington's hearing turns into the question of which man she will choose. Vibbard is acquitted. The regiment is ordered out. She tells them not to come back until they have taken the germ out of Germany. Captain Archie van Renssaller proposes, and she stays in his arms.
Cast & crew
More about Johanna Enlists
William Desmond Taylor directed. Frances Marion wrote it from Rupert Hughes's story The Mobilization of Johanna. Mary Pickford produced it and plays Johanna. Charles Rosher photographed it. Paramount released it on 15 September 1918, in five reels, 4,388 feet. A timed copy runs 72 minutes 20 seconds. Monte Blue plays Private Vibbard. Emory Johnson plays Lieutenant Frank Le Roy. Douglas MacLean plays Captain Archie van Renssaller. An intertitle identifies the soldiers as the 143rd Field Artillery.
Themes
Background
Paramount released it on 15 September 1918, with the regiment on its way to the war.
Making
Taylor shot Pickford's farm comedy with a real artillery unit in the fields. Marion's script turns the court-martial into a choice of suitors.
Look
Charles Rosher photographed the farm, the camp, and the hearing.
Preservation
Prints survive, including one at the Library of Congress.
Notes
- Anne Schaefer plays Maw Ransaller. Fred Huntley plays Paw Ransaller.
- Jimmy, for two nickels, tells Le Roy and Vibbard where to find her.
- The two rivals are disgusted to see her with the captain.
- The unit camps overnight in the family fields.
- Wallace Beery is billed.
Scenes
- The mounted unit camps in the Ransaller fields.
- Major Whoppington's court asks which suitor she will take.
- Captain van Renssaller proposes after the regiment is ordered away.
Influenced by
- Rupert Hughes's The Mobilization of Johanna
Also available
- Internet Archive (silent-johanna-enlists)
- Library of Congress
Quotes
Don't come back 'til you've taken the germ out of Germany.
