"For the Defense" (1916) Released as "For the Defence"

[R Michael Pyle]

Warner Archive Collection just released William Powell's 1930 film "For the Defense". In doing some research, I discovered that a film by that title had been released in 1916. Not the same plot (although there are some very, very stretched similarities), but it sounds really fascinating. Stars Fannie Ward. A copy supposedly exists in the Library of Congress. Has anyone ever seen this film? Does anyone know anything about its condition? (Any way of finding a copy of this?)

[Eric Cohen]

Using the original negative, LOC restored and struck a 16mm print in time for a screening at the 2014 Syracuse Cinefest. They had to recreate the continuity, as the neg. was arranged for tinting and toning, which LOC also recreated. James Cozart introduced the Frank Reicher-directed film and said he wasn't completely satisfied with the tints, but they were fine to my eye. Lovably lurid and eventful, 43-year-old Ward passed as a French girl lost in the Montreal. The only thing that upstaged her was her leading man and husband Jack Dean's oversize cleft chin. Joseph Yranski's program notes: Ward disliked her husband's weak chin and convinced him to undergo a procedure to grant him a lantern jaw that you see in this film. Alas it was only a temporary fix, as they used mortician's wax for the stronger jawline - but excessive exposure to hot lights and the sun melted the wax, depositing it in globules in his jowls and neck that could not be removed.

[R Michael Pyle]

Thanks, Eric!

[CoffeeDan]

By the way, FOR THE DEFENSE was released by the Universal Vault Series, not the Warner Archive. Just picked it up on sale at Amazon!

[Eric Cohen]

Three more William Powell Paramount talkers will be shown in 35mm at this year's CAPITOLFEST:

http://www.romecapitol.com/capitolfest.html" target="_blank

[R Michael Pyle]

By the way, FOR THE DEFENSE was released by the Universal Vault Series, not the Warner Archive. Just picked it up on sale at Amazon!

Oops...sorry, you're correct, of course. I bought it, along with something else, both of these because of another thread on this board where someone mentioned that they were available.