False Evidence (1919 film)

False Evidence, originally titled Madelon of the Redwoods, is a 1919 American silent drama film that was directed by Edwin Carewe. It stars Viola Dana, Wheeler Oakman, and Joseph King, and was released on April 21, 1919.

False Evidence
Newspaper ad for the American drama film False Evidence (1919) with Viola Dana, on page 11 of the January 17, 1920 Duluth Herald.
Newspaper advertisement for False Evidence (1919 film)
Directed byEdwin Carewe
Written byFinis Fox
Based onthe novel, Madelon
by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
StarringViola Dana
Wheeler Oakman
Joseph King
CinematographyJohn Arnold
Production
company
Release date
  • April 21, 1919 (1919-04-21) (US)[1]
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Cast

Production

The movie was originally titled Madelon of the Redwoods, but was renamed False Evidence in April 1919.[2] The film was the first adaptation of any sort of one of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman novels.[3] On March 17, 1919, the Santa Cruz Evening News reported that Viola Dana and Wheeler Oakman, for Metro Pictures, had finished filming on location at Hopkins' Big Trees in Felton and were headed south to film the interior segments of Madelon of the Redwoods.[4] According to Derek Whaley, Metro repurposed defunct buildings in a part of the park called Welch Grove to serve as a "pioneer town" for the film.[5]

Reception

Exhibitor's Herald, while they found the storyline dark and grim, praised the performances of Oakman and King, and while they felt it was far from Dana's best performance, they felt she did it "faithfully and effectively". They felt the picture was done very realistically.[6] The Tampa Sunday Tribune gave the film a good review, calling it "a gripping romance of the redwoods, giving Viola Dana a role that reflects all her vivid personality and dramatic powers."[7] The Nashville Banner also gave the film a good review, highlighting the performances of both Dana, and her supporting cast.[8] The Sacramento Star enjoyed the film as well, "a radiant story becauase Viola Dana takes the stellar role, which is one of laughter and pathos."[9]

References
  1. "False Evidence". American Film Institute. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  2. "Untitled". Exhibitor's Trade Review. April 19, 1919. p. 1530. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  3. "Viola Dana Starred in "False Evidence"". Exhibitor's Trade Review. April 19, 1919. p. 1498. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  4. "Metro Players Finish Today". Santa Cruz Evening News. 1919-03-17.
  5. Whaley, Derek. "Curiosities: Big Trees". Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  6. "Viola Dana in False Evidence". Exhibitor's Herald. May 10, 1919. p. 47. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  7. "False Evidence Tomorrow, Grand". The Tampa Sunday Tribune. May 4, 1919. pp. 8A. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "False Evidence Tomorrow, Grand". Nashville Banner. May 18, 1919. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "T&D". The Sacramento Star. August 6, 1919. p. 6. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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