Brass Commandments is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Lynn Reynolds and starring William Farnum, Wanda Hawley, and Tom Santschi.[1] The novel of the same name by Charles Alden Seltzer that the film is based upon was later filmed as Chain Lightning (1927).[2]

Brass Commandments
Theatrical poster
Directed byLynn Reynolds
Written byCharles Kenyon
Based onBrass Commandments
by Charles Alden Seltzer
Produced byWilliam Fox
StarringWilliam Farnum
Wanda Hawley
Tom Santschi
CinematographyDevereaux Jennings
Production
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Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • January 28, 1923 (1923-01-28)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[3] Flash Lanning (Farnum) returns West as the request of the sheriff to put an end to the cattle rustling. In the small hotel he finds a big bully attempting to kiss Gloria Hallowell (Hawley), the young woman at the desk, and he immediately goes to her assistance. She does not recognize him but tells him of her love for Lanning, although she has never met him. Flash does not tell her that he is that man, and when she finds out later, she changes her feelings in the matter. Flash is attacked by Campan (Santschi), the leader of the local gang, but he overpowers him and tells the man to leave town. Ellen Bosworth (Adams), returning to her ranch, overhears that supposed friend Clearwater (Gordon) is one of the rustlers. She tells Flash of this, and he forces Clearwater to warn him of when the next raid will be conducted. However, Campan captures the two young women and takes them into the desert. Flash learns of this and sets out in pursuit. A sandstorm overtakes Campan and his party and they are about to perish when Flash arrives. He rescues the two young women and leaves Campan to his fate. He tells Gloria of his love for her and she of her love for him.

Cast

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Preservation

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Brass Commandments is not listed as a holding in any film archives[4] making it a lost film.

References

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  1. ^ Solomon p. 281
  2. ^ Progressive Silent Film List: Brass Commandments at silentera.com
  3. ^ "Brass Commandments: Released by Fox". Exhibitor's Trade Review. 13 (11). East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Exhibitor's Trade Review, Inc.: 578 February 10, 1923.
  4. ^ Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: Brass Commandments

Bibliography

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  • Solomon, Aubrey. The Fox Film Corporation, 1915-1935: A History and Filmography. McFarland, 2011.
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