A copy of the theatrical poster displayed at venues showing D. W. Griffith‘s screenplay, The Birth of a Nation, which made its debit in 1915. The poster depicts a horse and Klansman rider with the caption, “The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan.” Also on the poster are the words, “Founded on Thomas Dixon’s The Clansman.”
In 1915, when the film was released, newspaper readers in the Lykens Valley area were surely aware of the protests to The Birth of a Nation, because those protests were reported in the Harrisburg newspapers. However, this early on, there was no mention in the local newspapers which were available for analysis in writing this blog post. Eventually, there were three reviews of the film – one each from Elizabethville and Lykens, Dauphin County, and one from Tower City, Schuylkill County. These reviews were positive and ignored any of the controversies associated with the film. Furthermore, the reviews presented the film as historically accurate. Other than reviews, local news items either praised the film or reported its existence by indicating the names of residents who attended showings or noting theatres that were featuring it.
It appears that the first actual showing in the Lykens Valley area was at Gratz in March 1917, where it was featured at Smith Hall, along with a commentary by lecturer John W. Hart. Harry Smith repeated the show again in 1924 and this time one of the showings was exclusively for Elizabethville High School students. Ironically, later in the year, Smith Hall burned to the ground in the Great Gratz Fire, which it was rumored was started by the wind-carried embers of a burning Klan cross. Also in 1924, the film was shown in Millersburg. Tower City had it at the Star Theatre in April 1918 and again at the Wagner’s Opera House in 1926. Mostly though, area residents had to go to Harrisburg or Pottsville, where tickets were hard to come by, particularly in the early years that the film was shown.
The remainder of this blog post will present the actual reviews of the film. Then, the briefs about the film will follow.
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From the Lykens Standard, February 1, 1918, a column that focused first on how the Harrisburg theatre that was showing the film would accommodate 25,000 people in three days and concluded with high praise for the “spectacle” which “fully dealt with” how the “nation reborn” [was] “apotheosized.” This is the same story that the Elizabethville Echo, featured on January 31, 1918 — apparently, in both cases, a press release from the theatre.
BIRTH OF A NATION
D. W. Griffith‘s magnificent historical spectacle, The Birth of a Nation, which has broken all theatrical records everywhere in the United States, has been booked by Wilmer and Vincent to be presented in their Colonial Theatre in Harrisburg, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 – 6 – 7 [1916], at bargain prices of 25 cents and 35 cents. This is the first time in the history of this epoch that the price has been under $2, and in order to accommodate the crowds that are sure to be attracted by these remarkable low prices, Wilmer and Vincent have arranged for six performances per day, starting at 10 o’clock in the morning and running continuously until 11 o’clock at night. In this way the Colonial Theatre can take care of more than 25,000 people in the three days.
The charge will be 35 cents for orchestra floor seats and 25 cents for balcony seats, none of which are to be sold in advance. The policy will be “first come, first served.” For the benefit of out of town patrons who desire to have seats held for them, the boxes and balcony loge seats will be placed on sale on Wednesday, January 30th. These will be 50 cents each. Only one seat will be sold for each afternoon and each evening, and a purchaser will have the satisfaction of having his seat held for him. Orders for these seats will not be taken by telephone, but mail orders with money enclosed will be accepted,
The Birth of a Nation is one of the most widely discussed topics in this country. It established an absolutely new art in the realm of the theatre — the art of pantomimic screen spectacle with music. It also created a tremendous sensation because of its vaster and more forceable treatment of the same theme as Thomas Dixon’s The Clansman. The consequences of the Civil War in Southern reconstruction are fully dealt with, and the nation reborn is apotheosized. Mr. Griffith, pioneer among directors, managed the stupendous achievement without the aid of dialogue or speech of motion pictures, accompanying music and effects tell the coherent, logical and moving story.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, April 19, 1918, a focus on only one scene, Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox:
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Although the leaders of the opposing forces in the Civil War appear but for a moment in D. W. Griffith‘s The Birth of a Nation, the scene in which General Grant receives the surrender of the Army of the South from General Lee is one of the most striking of the famous photo play.
As the scene unfolds Grant is seated at a plain table reading the terms of surrender. le is seated at the left of the room. The staffs of the the two generals are grouped about. The expression on Lee’s face clearly indicates his thought. A forlorn leader of what is no longer even a forlorn hope he sits with bowed head most of the time, while Grant is reading the important document.
As Grant, having finished reading and having affixed his signature rises, the contrast between the two men is striking. Grant, about five feet eight inches tall, his square shoulders inclined to stoop, is without his sword, and is wearing fatigue uniform. He wears ordinary top boots with trousers inside. Boots and clothing are spattered with mud. He is carefully and correctly dressed, his six feet of stature and faultless form towering over his conqueror. A statue in gray. The contrast in manner is equally market, Grant, with hand in pocket, approached Lee with an easy swing, cigar in mouth, as usual, and offers his hand in a way that means much to the defeated Southerner. It is not preliminary to a formal meaningless handshake. It is the act of one who would be a friend and is accepted as such by the man in gray who grasps the extended hand and the great Generals of the great war for a moment face each other. Then with military salute they part and the incident of Appomattox is closed.
Star Theatre, April 26 and 17 [1918], Matinee and Night.
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On the same day, April 18, 1918, and for the same purpose, the Lykens Standard printed its review of Tower City Star Theatre showing of The Birth of a Nation, reviewing a different scene in the film:
SPECIAL
Quite the most wonderful of the many wonderful scenes in The Birth of a Nation is that showing Sherman’s march to the sea and the burning of the city of Atlanta. Imagine if you can, a view of a long, fertile valley extending for miles. Moving thru this valley, in struggling formation, or lack of formation, is the army of General Sherman. The view is so extensive that the soldiers appear but little larger than aunts [sic], yet the reproduction is so clear that the form of each man is perfectly delineated.
Now and then a puff of smoke indicates return fire upon snipers in farm buildings. Now and then a barn is fired in evident retaliation for a deadly bullet from the shelter, and the army of human ants is ever moving forward, wriggling its way like a huge serpent towards its goal — the sea.
Atlanta is reached. Whether the burning of the city was a military necessity, or whether the conflagration was of accidental origin, chroniclers of the time fail to agree, but Atlanta was sacrificed to the flames and the conflagration is so realistically pictured in The Birth of a Nation that one can almost smell the smoke, and hear the cries of the terrified people as they flee to the hills for their lives. Few make and attempt to save household effects, so great is their haste to escape the flames and the hate Yankees. Up the hills the rush, men, women, and little children, an endless parade of misery, dread and hopelessness.
Sherman’s Army has cut its fearful swathe thru the hearts of the South. Another link has been forged in the chain that shall bind the Confederacy to the stake. Another move has been made in the big war game that is to end at Appomattox Court House with the surrender of Lee.
It is a wonderful picture in very truth. Nothing like it has ever appeared on the screen, and it took a vast amount of labor and infinite patience to stage such a spectacle.
The Birth of a Nation will be shown at the Star Theatre, Tower City, April 26 – 27 [1918]. Matinee and night.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, February 24, 1916:
Mrs. C. S. Martyn, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. C. Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Swab spent Friday at the Capital City [Harrisburg] and witnessed the great motion picture The Birth of a Nation.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, May 11, 1916:
Misses Frances Miller, Mary Miller, Mary Hartman and Mary Snyder spent Tuesday at Harrisburg to see The Birth of a Nation.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, news of Donaldson, June 15, 1916:
Several town people [Donaldson] autoed to Pottsville last week to see The Birth of a Nation.
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From the Lykens Standard, March 16, 1917:
THE REBIRTH OF A NATION coming to Smith’s Hall, Gratz, on March 17 [1917] — 8,000 feet of film — 1000 horses — 10,000 men in battle — explained by John W. Hart, the celebrated lecturer — the same style speaker as William Jennings Bryan. 2 1/4 hour show. One show only. Admission 15 cents and 25 cents.
Note that it is not clear from this notice whether the actual film was to be shown, or if it was simply a lecture about the film. It was not until 1924 that a documented showing occurred in Gratz.
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From the Lykens Standard, February 8, 1918:
Mrs. I. N. McCloskey of Lock Haven, wife of Clinton County’s Superintendent of Schools, arrived Saturday noon to pay a brief visit at the home of C. M. Coles and wife. While here, Mr. and Mrs. Coles, Mrs. McCloskey and daughter Miss Elizabeth McCloskey, who is visiting here, and Mrs. Martha Morris and son Arthur Morris, took atrip to Harrisburg, Monday, to witness The Birth of a Nation.
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From the Lykens Standard, May 3, 1918:
Misses Misses Myrtle Fennell and Esther Meinhardt spent Saturday evening in Tower City, where they witnessed The Birth of a Nation.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, February 14, 1924:
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
The Master Creator of the Screen, D. W. Griffith, will present his remarkable production, The Birth of a Nation, at Smith’s Hall, Gratz, on Friday and Saturday evenings, February 22nd and 23rd [1924].
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From the Elizabethville Echo, February 21 1924:
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Will be presented by D. W. Griffith at Smith’s Hall, Gratz, Friday and Saturday, February 22nd and 23rd [1924].
It covers the essential details of American History ranging through three centuries. Actual battles are shown with tens of thousands of soldiers in conflict. Ten thousand people participated in the telling of the story. Three thousand horses were used to give the cavalry and other thrilling effects of the wild dashes over miles of territory. Admission 25 cents and 50 cents.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, news of Elizabethville schools, February 28, 1924:
On Saturday evening February 23rd, a number of local High School students, including Juniors and Sophomores, enjoyed a sleighing party to Gratz where they saw the motion picture, The Birth of a Nation. The party was chaperoned by Miss Mary McLanachan and Mr. Karl Blanche.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 10, 1924:
Many residents of town [Elizabethville] witnessed The Birth of a Nation as presented by D. W. Griffith at Millersburg on Tuesday night.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, March 20, 1926:
THE OPERA HOUSE is ever alert to get the Best Pictures for its patrons. Here are a few that will be shown — Harold Lloyd in HOT WATER, Mary Pickford in ROSITA, Douglass Fairbanks in ROBIN HOOD, D. W. Griffith in AMERICA and BIRTH OF A NATION.
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Newspaper articles from Newspapers.com.
Poster image from Wikipedia.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.