Enlighten Thy Daughter (1917 film)

The exploitation/sexual hygiene film warns against the dangers of premarital sex. Lillian Stevens (played by Zena Keefe) is young woman who ends up having sex with Harold Winthrop (played by James W. Morrison) after both are caught in an unexpected storm during a date. Of course, she gets pregnant. Mom does not realize Lillian has been out all night due to her own gambling addiction. The same young man later starts dating Lillian's cousin Ruth (played by Rubye De Remer). They get engaged, but Lillian's pregnancy—and the identity of the father—is revealed when she dies from an illegal abortion, and Ruth breaks off the engagement.[1]

1917 advertisement for Enlighten Thy Daughter, including endorsements from religious leaders

• Frank Sheridan as Daniel Stevens
• Katharine Kaelred as Mrs. Daniel Stevens
• Zena Keefe as Lillian Stevens
• Arthur Donaldson as Richard Stevens
• Marie Shotwell as Minna Stevens
• Rubye De Remer as Ruth Stevens (credited as Ruby De Remer)
• James W. Morrison as Harold Winthrop
• Violet Horner as Mrs. Laurence
• Runa Hodges as Nina
• Walter Gould as Walter
• Mathilde Brundage as Mrs. Winthrop

The New York Times was critical of the film, calling it an "inept and melodramatic variant of the theme of the danger that lurks in the failure to apprise the young of dangers by which they are beset."[2] Other reviews were not as unkind, however, calling it a "remarkable drama, tense and thrilling,"[3] and agreeing with the movie's advertising claim to be "the most tremendous moral force the screen has ever known."[4]

The movie was a box office success, and has been described as director Abramson's biggest hit.[5]

A remake of the same title was released in 1934 (the only Abramson film ever remade).[6]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enlighten Thy Daughter (1917 film).

• Enlighten Thy Daughter at IMDb
• Synopsis at AllMovie