Soul of the Beast (1923)

Ruth, a young girl, runs away from an abusive stepfather, who owns a circus, and takes the circus' trained elephant--her only friend--with her. She winds up in a logging camp in the ... See full summary »

Director:

John Griffith Wray

Writers:

C. Gardner Sullivan (story), Ralph Dixon (scenario) (as Ralph H. Dixon)

Stars:

Madge Bellamy, Cullen Landis, Noah Beery

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Madge Bellamy	...	Ruth Lorrimore
Cullen Landis	...	Paul Nadeau
Noah Beery	...	Caesar Durand
Vola Vale	...	Jacqueline
Bert Sprotte	...	Silas Hamm
Harry L. Rattenberry	...	Pere Boussut
Carrie Clark Ward	...	Mrs.Boussut
Lincoln Stedman	...	Henri
Larry Steers	...	Policeman
Vernon Dent	...	The Boob
Oscar the Elephant	...	Oscar

Storyline

Ruth, a young girl, runs away from an abusive stepfather, who owns a circus, and takes the circus' trained elephant--her only friend--with her. She winds up in a logging camp in the Canadian woods and meets Paul, a young crippled musician who has made an enemy of the town bully, Caesare. Caesare starts to take out his wrath on Ruth also, but she receives protection from an unexpected source.

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Plot Keywords:

pre code film | damsel in distress | elephant rescues distressed damsel | traveling circus | circus owner | 

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Taglines:

"Oscar, your nose is shiny" (original poster)

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

User Reviews

Surreal Film Adventure

Odd little film that stars Madge Bellamy as a Canadian girl who runs away from the circus her step-father owns because of his abusive ways. She takes her pet elephant Oscar with her (of course) and hides out in the deep woods until one day they come upon a small village that is run by an abusive man (Noah Beery). She also finds a lame violinist (Cullen Landis) who is a special victim of Beery's.

Bellamy is put to work in a kitchen while Beery continues to run the town. After Landis buys Bellamy a dress, Beery goes nuts so they run away with Oscar still trying to find them. The escape down river in canoes is well done.

A surreal film that almost plays as a fairy tale, THE SOUL OF THE BEAST has some very good moments involving the talented elephant. The three stars are all quite good. Beery was a major villain of the silent screen. Bellamy was a big star. Landis is best remembered as the male lead in the first all talking picture: THE LIGHTS OF NEW YORK.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

7 May 1923 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alla flickors Jumbo

Filming Locations:

San Rafael, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thomas H. Ince Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1