The Adventures of Kathlyn


1916

Film Details

Release Date
Feb 19, 1916
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Selig Polyscope Co.
Distribution Company
Selig Polyscope Co.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Film Length
10 reels

Synopsis

Kathlyn Hare, the daughter of Colonel Hare, a California collector of wild animals, travels with her sister Winnie to Allaha, a small principality in East India, where Prince Umballah is holding her father captive. Kathlyn, during her many adventures, rescues her father and sister from danger, discovers the identity of the real king and witnesses his death, and purchases her freedom from the throne.

Film Details

Release Date
Feb 19, 1916
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Selig Polyscope Co.
Distribution Company
Selig Polyscope Co.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Film Length
10 reels

Quotes

Trivia

This is considered the first true cliffhanger serial. Many early serials were more like what would today be called a series - each episodes story was self contained. Each episode of Kathlyn had a suspenseful ending (i.e. a "cliffhanger"). Viewers had to return to the theatre to watch the next chapter and see how the characters escaped the danger they were left in.

Notes

This film was a ten reel re-edited version of a twenty-seven reel serial whose first part was released on December 29, 1913. The ten reel version was shown beginning February 19, 1916 for two weeks at the Fine Arts Theater in Chicago. There was speculation at the time that the film, if successful in Chicago, would be released in other cities, but no information has been located concerning any subsequent release. A novel based on the serial was written by Harold MacGrath and published in Indianapolis in 1914. The above cast members were listed for the serial; it is possible that some were not in the ten reel version. The Adventures of Kathlyn is considered by film historians to be the first motion picture serial as distinguished from films released in a series. Although the ten reel version was not copyrighted, each episode of the twenty-seven reel serial was copyrighted in 1913 and 1914 under the episode titles.