In Old Kentucky (1909)

A stirring episode of the Civil War. At the beginning of the Civil War, Kentucky attempted to hold a neutral position between the belligerents, and her sons decided for themselves which ... See full summary »

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writers:

Charles T. Dazey (play), Stanner E.V. Taylor

Stars:

Verner Clarges, Kate Bruce, Henry B. Walthall

Cast

Credited cast:
Verner Clarges	...	Mr. Wilkinson
Kate Bruce	...	Mrs. Wilkinson
Henry B. Walthall	...	Robert, the Confederate Son
Owen Moore	...	The Union Son
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Linda Arvidson	...	Homecoming Party
William J. Butler	...	Union Soldier / Aide
John R. Cumpson	...	Negro Servant
Robert Harron	...	Extra
James Kirkwood	...	Homecoming Party
George Nichols	...	Homecoming Party
Anthony O'Sullivan	...	Homecoming Party
Mary Pickford	...	Homecoming Party
Frank Powell	...	Union Soldier / Confederate Soldier
Gertrude Robinson	...	Homecoming Party
Mack Sennett	...	Union Centry

Storyline

A stirring episode of the Civil War. At the beginning of the Civil War, Kentucky attempted to hold a neutral position between the belligerents, and her sons decided for themselves which side's cause to take up; hence it was that many a Kentucky home was divided. The sentiment of the people seemed evenly balanced, and when old Mr. Wilkinson entered with the newspaper heralding the proclamation, "War Is Declared," George, his youngest son, took up the Union flag, declaring his intention to fight under its stripes, calling to his brother Robert to do likewise. But Bob's heart is with the Confederates, and he declines to listen to his brother's reasoning and so goes to enlist in the Southern army. The old Kentucky home is divided; it is brother against brother. Later, Robert is selected as the bearer of sealed orders, and as he will probably have to pass the Union lines, he is attired in Union uniform. Starting on his perilous journey, he is soon dangerously near the Union outposts, where...

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1909 (USA)

Also Known As:

A régi Kentuckyban

Filming Locations:

Cuddebackville, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Biograph Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

11 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of In Old Kentucky (1927)

User Reviews

The Biograph Company tell this fine story with dramatic simplicity

This film of "In Old Kentucky'' treats of the always fertile theme of the attempt to destroy the fabric of the Union and the successful defeat of that attempt. Though nearly half a century has elapsed since the end of the war, neither the novelist, the story writer, nor the historian, seems to tire of the subject, nor, presumably, does the public, and it is natural, therefore, such a demand existing, that film makers should play their part of supplying it. The story which the Biograph Company unfolds in this film is of an impressive nature. The Biograph Company tell this fine story with such dramatic simplicity of effect that during the past week wherever the picture has been shown it has not failed to elicit loud applause. The acting of the principal characters is strong and convincing to a degree. Indeed, as we sat and watched the picture we were impressed by the zeal and earnestness with which the various characters seemed to enter into the spirit of their parts. But this is a characteristic of the famous Fourteenth Street players. As we have said many times before, they act their parts and, above all things, they think their parts, and the result is that moving picture audiences have grown so accustomed to the thorough manner in which the acting end of matters is looked after at Fourteenth street that they expect, as a matter of course, something good in the way of dramatic production whenever a Biograph film commences to unfold itself on the screen. The photography of the picture is, of course, of a high-class order, and altogether the film breathes a spirit of patriotism which will find an echo in every American mind at this great juncture in the history of the United States. – The Moving Picture World, October 2, 1909