The Coward
About The Coward
In Virginia in 1861, Frank Winslow will not enlist. His father, Colonel Jefferson Beverly Winslow, puts a pistol on the desk and sends him back to the recruiting office. Frank deserts before a battle. Jefferson takes the name Private Winslow and joins in his place. Frank, hiding, steals a Union map and a uniform and rides for the Confederate lines. Jefferson, on picket, shoots the rider. Frank delivers the map, the South wins the fight, and Jefferson at first refuses to know his son. When the general says the map won the battle, the colonel takes Frank in his arms.
Cast & crew
More about The Coward
Reginald Barker directed it. Thomas H. Ince produced it and wrote the scenario with C. Gardner Sullivan, from a story Ince bought from Edward Sloman. Kay-Bee Pictures made it. Triangle released it on 14 November 1915. It runs 77 minutes. The budget was $17,922. Frank Keenan plays the colonel. Charles Ray plays Frank. Gertrude Claire plays Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow. Margaret Gibson plays Amy.
Themes
Audiences
The film was a financial success and started Charles Ray toward starring roles.
Look
Joseph H. August photographed the river bridge, where Jefferson fires at the rider, and the camp.
Preservation
A copy is preserved at the Museum of Modern Art.
Notes
- John Gilbert appears, uncredited, as a young Virginian.
- Nick Cogley plays a servant. Charles K. French plays a Confederate commander. Bob Kortman and Leo Willis play Union soldiers.
- Triangle distributed it.
- A copy is at the Museum of Modern Art.
Scenes
- Jefferson slides a pistol across the desk and orders Frank back to the enlistment line.
- Frank deserts, and his father answers the name Private Winslow.
- Jefferson shoots the horseman on the bridge and later learns it was his son.
- He embraces Frank after the general credits the stolen map.
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (The Coward (1915) by Reginald Barker.webm)
- Museum of Modern Art
