The Sea Urchin (1913 film)
The Sea Urchin is a 1913 American silent short romantic drama film directed by Edwin August and starring Jeanie MacPherson and Lon Chaney. The film was the earliest known character role by Lon Chaney and the first screenplay by MacPherson. The story follows a hunchback fisherman, who finds a young girl and raised her into womanhood with the intention of marrying her. A handsome boy soon gains her affections and the hunchback threatens him with a knife. The next day, the boat tips over during an argument and the hunchback saves the girl. As the young lovers reunite, he sees how happy they are together and he takes his leave. The film was released on August 22, 1913 and was played across the United States. The film is presumed lost.
The film was a Powers Picture Plays directed by Edwin August and distributed by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. The films production number was 0101. The screen play was written by Jeanie MacPherson who also played the role of The Girl. Simon Louvish, author of Cecil B. DeMille A Life in Art, states this uncredited screenplay was the first one to be authored by MacPherson. Louvish also refers to this film as a tworeeler. Lon Chaney and Robert Z. Leonard had previously worked together for the Ferris Hartman Troupe. Three years prior to the release of the film, the two were involved in the production of musical comedies for the Troupe. In 1918, Leonard would later direct his wife, Mae Murry, and Lon Chaney in Danger, Go Slow.The film was released on August 22, 1913. The Moving Picture World said the film was a memorable offering that contained vivid scenes along a picturesque coast. In an advertisement in Rushville, Indiana the film as billed as the story of a Hunchbacks Love and Renunciation. The film was also advertised, perhaps alternatively or erroneously, as Sea Urchins. Advertisements for the film included theaters in Pennsylvania, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Utah, and New York. ........
Source: Wikipedia
