Shon the Piper

Shon the Piper is a 1913 American silent short historical romantic drama film directed by Otis Turner and starring Robert Z. Leonard. The film follows a Scottish Duke who disguises himself as a piper and falls in love with a woman by the name of Madge. The womans father, refuses to let the two marry because he wants his daughter to marry the Laird of the Isla. At the wedding, Shon steals Madge away and a battle ensues between the clans. The film was produced the 101 Bison Film Company and released on September 30, 1913. The film saw a widespread national release and garnered some positive attention. It was claimed that Lon Chaney appeared in this film, but this has been disputed. The film is presumed lost.

The film was produced the 101 Bison Film Company. On August 23, 1910, the New York Clipper announced that J. W. Kerrigan had joined Universal Studios and would star in a new series of films directed by Allan Dwan. The first film listed was titled A Restless Spirit The Restless Spirit and the second film would be Shon the Piper. It is unknown if there was some change in Shon the Piper s production or if the Clipper was mistaken because neither Kerrigan or Dwan are credited. Instead, Otis Turner would direct the film and the film would star Robert Z. Leonard and Margarita Fischer. Prior to his motion picture debut, Leonard previously had a noted stage career in the California Opera Company in a variety of roles and sung in over a hundred light operas. Joseph Singleton played The Laird of the Isla and would be credited through and answer column in The Photoplay Journal. The cast of the film was not billed or credited in the production. Michael Blake credits Lon Chaney in a role in this film in his book, The Films of Lon Chaney. Jon C. Mirsalis states that he cannot confirm or deny an appearance by Lon Chaney, but notes that the surviving film still does not show Lon Chaney.The two reel film was released on September 30, 1913. The Leavenworth Times gave a review prior to its release, stating This is one of those bright sunny pictures that cannot fail to please everybody. The action is laid in the latter part of the eighteenth century and Margaret Fischer as the daughter of the rich Laird of the Isla takes part some of the most enchanting pictures ever shown on a screen. The The Huntington Herald said the film was a remarkably fresh and interesting subject and it described the film as a Scottish ballad. ........

Source: Wikipedia