Hypocrites (1915)

The story of St. Gabriel, who was killed by an ignorant mob for making a nude statue representing Purity, who is also represented by a ghostly naked girl that flits through the film.

Writer:

Lois Weber

Stars:

Courtenay Foote, Myrtle Stedman, Herbert Standing

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Courtenay Foote	...	Gabriel - the Ascetic (as Mr. Courtenay Foote)
Myrtle Stedman	...	The Woman (as Miss Myrtle Stedman)
Herbert Standing	...	The Abbot (as Mr. Herbert Standing)
Adele Farrington	...	The Queen (as Miss Adele Farrington)

Storyline

The story of St. Gabriel, who was killed by an ignorant mob for making a nude statue representing Purity, who is also represented by a ghostly naked girl that flits through the film.

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Plot Keywords:

ascetic | newspaper | catholic priest | sermon | gambling | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1915 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hobart Bosworth Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min 49 min (alternate)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the nudity was tastefully done (it was passed by The National Board of Censors), it was still banned in Ohio and caused riots in New York. The mayor of Boston demanded that every frame displaying the naked figure of Truth be hand-painted to clothe the unidentified actress who portrayed her (one historian suggested that Lois Weber herself played the part).

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Connections

Referenced in The Silent Feminists: America's First Women Directors (1993)

User Reviews

Hypocrites is a religious allegory!!!

Lois Weber's HYPOCRITES, was a bold indictment of political corruption, the church, and the business world. Much of the film has a pictorial quality. Many of the scenes are carefully composed, to make visually beautiful patterns. In a dual role, the lead actor plays a monk who sees the hypocrisy of the world and a minister who is stoned to death by his congregation for unveiling a statue of "The Naked Truth." As film historian Kevin Brownlow relates, "Audiences flocked to see the nudity and were then obliged to sit through the moral lesson." Critics were astonished. Variety proclaimed, "After seeing it, you can't forget the name of Lois Weber!"