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Madge Bellamy and Anna May the elephant.
Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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Soul of the Beast
(1923) United States of America
B&W : Five reels / 5020 feet
Directed by John Griffith Wray
Cast: Madge Bellamy [Ruth Lorrimore], Cullen Landis [Paul Nadeau], Noah Beery [Caesar Durand], Vola Vale [Jacqueline Boussut], Bert Sprotts (Bert Sprotte) [Silas Hamm]; Harry Rattenberry [Père Boussut], Carrie Clark Ward [Mrs. Boussut], Lincoln Stedman [Henri], Larry Steers [the policeman], Vernon Dent [the boob], Anna May 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: 28 July 2009.
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.
Home video: DVD.
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