The Lost Battalion
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Burton King
Major-general Robert Alexander
Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey
Major George Mcmurtry
Captain William J. Cullen
Lt. Arthur F. Mckeogh
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The men in the 308th Regiment's 77th Division, have been drafted from diverse ethnic, economic, and social groups in New York. Two men are fighting Chinatown tongs, one is a burglar, another is a wealthy merchant's son in love with his father's stenographer, who dreams of becoming the greatest movie actress, another is a private in love with the merchant's ward, and finally there is "the Kicker," who finds fault with everything. After training in Yaphank and in France, the 463 men advance under the command of Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey into the "Pocket" of the Argonne Forest, to help break down the supposedly impregnable German defense. Cut off from Allied troops and supplies, and surrounded by the enemy, the Division, nicknamed "The Lost Battalion," withstands six days without food or water. When the German commander asks for their surrender, Whittlesey replies, "Tell them to go to hell!" The Chinese rivals fight bravely side-by-side, while the burglar dies heroically. After their rescue, the survivors are given a parade in New York, and are reunited with their families and sweethearts.
Director
Burton King
Cast
Major-general Robert Alexander
Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey
Major George Mcmurtry
Captain William J. Cullen
Lt. Arthur F. Mckeogh
Lt. Augustus Kaiser
Private Abraham Krotoshinsky
Helen Ferguson
Marion Coakley
Mrs. Stuart Robson
Blanche Davenport
Lt. Jordan
Bessie Lern
Sydney D'albrook
Gaston Glass
Jack Mclean
William H. Tooker
Stephen Grattan
J. A. King
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
As much as possible, the enactment of the events were made with the original people who survived. Actual maps and documents were used in the film, which was authorized by the U.S. Government. Some footage by the U.S. Signal Corps was also used in the film.
Notes
Pre-release showings were given on July 1, 1919 in Washington and on July 2, 1919 in New York. The film premiered in Hartford on July 28, 1919. The film was authorized by the United States Government and included scenes shot by the U. S. Signal Corps. Lt. Augustus Kaiser used his own pictures which he drew of men under fire in drawing the title card decorations. Actual maps documents, and the German note asking for surrender were used in the film. This film was re-released by the Aywon Film Corp. in 1926
