Davy Crockett (1916 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davy Crockett |
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| Directed by | William Desmond Taylor |
| Produced by | Pallas Pictures |
| Written by | Frank Murdock |
| Starring | Dustin Farnum |
| Cinematography | Homer Scott |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 1916 |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent English intertitles |
Davy Crockett is a silent film from 1916. It stars Dustin Farnum as the famous American hero, Davy Crockett. The movie was directed by William Desmond Taylor and made by Pallas Pictures. It was released by Paramount Pictures.
This film was shown in the United States. Today, we are not sure if any copies of the film still exist. This means it might be a lost film.
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About the Davy Crockett Film
This movie is a silent film, which means it didn't have spoken words. Instead, actors used their expressions and body language to tell the story. The film also used "intertitles," which are cards with text that appeared on screen to explain what was happening or what characters were saying. This version of Davy Crockett runs for about 50 minutes.
Who Was Davy Crockett?
Davy Crockett was a real person and a very famous American folk hero. He was born in 1786 and became known for his skills as a frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He was often called the "King of the Wild Frontier." Crockett served in the United States House of Representatives and fought in the Texas Revolution. He died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. His adventures and bravery made him a legend, inspiring many books, plays, and films like this one.
Making a Silent Film
Filming a movie in 1916 was very different from today. Cameras were big and heavy, and there was no sound recording. Directors like William Desmond Taylor had to be very creative to tell a story without dialogue. They relied on music played live in the theater, and the actors' movements and facial expressions. The film was produced by Pallas Pictures and distributed by Paramount Pictures, which was a major film studio even back then.
The Cast and Crew
The main actor, Dustin Farnum, played Davy Crockett. He was a popular actor during the silent film era. Other actors in the film included Winifred Kingston, Harry De Vere, Herbert Standing, Howard Davies, Page Peters, Lydia Yeamans Titus, and Ida Darling. The director, William Desmond Taylor, was a well-known filmmaker of his time. The movie's look was created by cinematographer Homer Scott.
Is the Film Lost?
Many films from the early days of cinema are now "lost." This means that all known copies of the film have been destroyed or have disappeared over time. This can happen because old film reels were made of materials that could easily decay or catch fire. For Davy Crockett, it is not known if any copies still exist today. This makes it a mystery for film historians and fans.
