The Copperhead
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Charles Maigne
Lionel Barrymore
William P. Carlton
Frank Joyner
Richard Carlyle
Arthur Rankin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Milt Shanks, a farmer in a small Illinois town, is requested by President Lincoln to infiltrate the Copperheads, a secret organization in sympathy with the South. His friends, wife and son Joey all consider him a traitor, yet he keeps his mission a secret. When Joey is killed in the Battle of Vicksburg, Shanks's wife dies, heartbroken over her son's death and her husband's infamy. Shanks maintains his silence until, years later, in order to win consent for his granddaughter's marriage, he is forced to reveal the story to her fiancé's grandfather. Everyone then realizes Shanks's sacrifice and the past is forgiven.
Director
Charles Maigne
Cast
Lionel Barrymore
William P. Carlton
Frank Joyner
Richard Carlyle
Arthur Rankin
Leslie Stowe
Nicholas Schroell
William David
Harry Bartlett
Jack Ridgway
Mayor N. M. Cartmell
Doris Rankin
Carolyn Lee
Anne Cornwall
Francis Haldorn
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Augustus Thomas' play was based on Frederick Landis' story. Nicholas Schroell, who played Abraham Lincoln in the film, was chosen from among 300 applicants who answered ads placed in New York newspapers. This was the first film for Schroell, a waiter. Doris Rankin and Lionel Barrymore were married at the time of this production. A set representing the village of Millville, IL in 1846, 1861 and 1904 was constructed near Elmhurst, Long Island under the supervision of J. N. Naulty, general manager of Famous Players-Lasky's Eastern studios. According to news items, 200 members of the G. A. R. participated in the film. Reviews credit William P. Carlton with acting in the film, while the 1921 MPSD gives credit to William T. Carleton.
