A growing source of silent era film information. This listing is from The Progressive Silent Film List by Carl Bennett. Copyright © 1999-2025 by Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company. All Rights Reserved.

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	Madge Bellamy and Anna May the elephant. Photograph: Silent Era image collection.

Cast: Madge Bellamy [Ruth Lorrimore], Cullen Landis [Paul Nadeau], Noah Beery [Caesar Durand], Vola Vale [Jacqueline Boussut], Bert Sprotts (Bert Sprotte) [Silas Hamm]; Harry L. Rattenberry [Père Boussut], Carrie Clark Ward [Mrs. Boussut], Lincoln Stedman [Henri], Larry Steers [the policeman], Vernon Dent [the boob], [?] Anna May the elephant or Oscar the elephant? [Oscar]

Thomas H. Ince Corporation production; distributed by Metro Pictures Corporation. / Scenario by Ralph H. Dixon, from a screen story by C. Gardiner Sullivan. Personally supervised by Thomas H. Ince. Photographed (cinematography) by Henry Sharp. Film editor, Ralph H. Dixon. Presented by Thomas H. Ince. / © 18 June 1923 by Thomas H. Ince Corporation [LP19153]. Released 7 May 1923. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.

Drama: Circus.

Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 5 May 1923, page ?] Ruth Lorrimore is abused by her stepfather, the owner of a circus, and, aided by Oscar, the elephant, escapes to the Canadian woods, meeting Paul Nadeau, a crippled boy musician, who has incurred the wrath of the town bully, Caesare [sic]. After proving himself a hero many times, the elephant rescues Ruth from Caesare. Paul and Ruth marry and Oscar willingly rocks the cradle.

Survival status: Prints exist [16mm reduction positives].

Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].

Keywords: Abuse - Animals: Elephants - Canada: Medicine Bow - Circuses - Families: Step-Fathers

Listing updated: 29 December 2024.

References: Film credits, film viewing : Drew-Speaking pp. 19, 273; Lee-Not pp. 62-63; Limbacher-Feature p. 229; Sherwood-Best p. 188 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.

Home video: DVD.