The Courageous Coward

The Courageous Coward is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by William Worthington and featuring Sessue Hayakawa and Tsuru Aoki in lead roles.[1] It is presumed to be a lost film, with only reel 5 preserved at the EYE Film Institute Netherlands film archive.[2]

The Courageous Coward
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Directed byWilliam Worthington
Written byThomas J. Geraghty
Frances Guihan (scenario)
Starring
Sessue Hayakawa
Tsuru Aoki
CinematographyDal Clawson
Production
company
Haworth Pictures Corporation
Distributed byExhibitors Mutual / Robertson-Cole
Release date
April 1919
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[3] Suki (Hayakawa), born and educated in America, still worships the customs of his ancestral country. Foreign born Rei (Aoki) arrives in Chinatown and wins his heart. He goes to college to finish his law studies, leaving Rei to await his return. Rei is led to believe that she should become Americanized to please him on his return, so she learns the way of the cabarets in the company of Tom Kirby (McDonald), son of ward boss Big Bill Kirby (Hernandez). Suki returns and is disappointed. Rei finally consents to elope with Tom, leaving Suki lost to her. A murder is committed and Suki prosecutes a suspect almost to the point of conviction when Tom confesses his guilt to him. When Suki refuses to go forward with the case, he is branded a coward and disgraced, with only Rei believing in him. At length Tom confesses to the murder and prepares to stand trial, his confession clearing Suki and leaving him free to marry Rei.

Cast

References
  1. Miyao, Daisuke (7 March 2007). Sessue Hayakawa: Silent Cinema and Transnational Stardom. Duke University Press. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-8223-8982-8.
  2. Progressive Silent Film List: The Courageous Coward at silentera.com
  3. "Reviews: The Courageous Coward". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 8 (19): 45. May 3, 1919.
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