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The White Feather Charge
Also known as [A White Feather Volunteer]
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Rupert Julian
Cast: Rupert Julian [John Brown], Hazel Buckham [Mrs. John Brown], Hallam Cooley [Tom Simms], Elsie Jane Wilson [Alice Simms], Bobby Roberts [John Brown, as a boy], Roger Williams
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Laemmle]. / Scenario by Rupert Julian. Cinematography by Park Ries. / © 27 October 1915 by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. Released 4 November 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / [?] Braff-Universal n. 9058 and Website-IMDb list the film title as A White Feather Volunteer.
Drama: War.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? John Brown is 45, married, and employed as a clerk in a downtown lawyer’s office. Alice Simms is a stenographer in the same office and sees much to admire in Brown. One day she makes a subtle love appeal to Brown, which is witnessed by the lawyer, their employer, which gets the girl discharged. That evening Brown sees the soldiers marching away to the front, and, inspired by his patriotism, Is moved to offer himself as a volunteer. He finds, however, that he is past the age limit, and that they will not accept him. On his way home he passes the Simms’ cottage, where he sees his friend Tom, Alice’s brother. Tom has been accepted as a volunteer and tells of the great things he will do at the front. Brown tells of the refusal of the recruiting officer to pass him and expresses his regret. Alice witnesses the scene between Brown and her brother. Her wounded pride and vanity clamoring for revenge she plans to humble Brown; accordingly, she addresses an envelope to Brown and encloses a white feather, a symbol of cowardice which the women of the town have adopted to send to men who do not enlist. Brown receives the missive and is heartbroken. His son Johnny declares it a dirty trick on his father, while Mrs. Brown is moved to tears. Brown becomes filled with determination and, notwithstanding the pleadings of his wife to remain at home with her and their small children, he shaves his mustache, lies about his age, and is accepted by the recruiting officers. In the ensuing months, he and Tom Simms, who are in the same company, see much active service at the front; on one occasion Brown saves Tom's life at the risk of his own and the loss of his right arm. He receives a medal for valor. The newspaper, however, gets the name reversed and Alice feels chagrined that her brother saved Brown’s life. When Brown arrives home, however, the truth comes out and Alice begs forgiveness from the man she has wronged. With aching heart Brown learns that Johnny has enlisted and is leaving for the front. Months later Alice, who has enlisted as a Red Cross nurse, comes upon a huddled, broken, youthful body. It is Johnny Brown, and in the pocket of his blouse she discovers the white feather she sent to Brown in her rage. The feather is red with the boy’s life-blood.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: War
Listing updated: 4 January 2025.
References: Braff-Universal n. 9058; Edmonds-BigU p. 67 : Website-IMDb.
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