King Lear
About King Lear
Lear, worn out, asks his three daughters how much they love him and divides Britain by the answers. Goneril and Regan flatter him and each take a third. Cordelia says she loves him as duty commands. He disowns her and gives her share to the others. The King of France marries her and takes her home. Goneril and Regan shut the castle doors. Lear goes mad and wanders with his fool. France invades. Cordelia is taken and hanged. Her body is brought to Lear, and he dies.
Cast & crew
More about King Lear
Ernest C. Warde directed. Philip Lonergan wrote the scenario from Shakespeare's play. John M. Bauman and William M. Zollinger photographed it. Thanhouser made it as a Gold Rooster Play. Pathé Exchange released it on 17 December 1916, in five reels. A listing gives 63 minutes. A timed copy runs 35 minutes 57 seconds. Frederick Warde plays Lear. His son Ernest plays the Fool. Lorraine Huling plays Cordelia. Ina Hammer plays Goneril. Edith Diestal plays Regan. Hector Dion plays Edmund. Edwin Thanhouser produced it.
Themes
Background
Pathé put it out on 17 December 1916, the year of the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
Making
Ernest Warde directed his father in the part and played the Fool himself. Thanhouser released it through Pathé in the Shakespeare year.
Look
John M. Bauman and William M. Zollinger photographed the division of the kingdom and the wanderings.
Preservation
George Eastman House preserved a print. A circulating copy runs 35 minutes 57 seconds.
Notes
- It was made for the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
- Boyd Marshall plays the King of France. J. H. Gilmour plays Kent. Edwin Stanley plays Edgar.
- Wayne Arey plays Albany. Charles Brooks plays Cornwall. Robert Whittier plays Oswald.
- George Eastman House preserved a print.
Scenes
- Cordelia answers that she loves him as duty commands, and he disowns her.
- The older daughters close the doors.
- Cordelia's body is brought to Lear.
Influenced by
- William Shakespeare's King Lear
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (King Lear (1916).webm)
- George Eastman House
