Hi all.
A friend of mine is a big fan of the writer William J Elliott. From
around 1914 to 1926, Elliott became involved in the film world, both
as a director and writer of the scenarios.
I've been asked to look for any of his films that might be available.
Some of them are definitely out there, but others... well, who's to
say where to find a definitive list :-S
First off, something of a milestone...
The first feature length horror film produced in Britain was "THE
WRAITH OF THE TOMB" a.k.a. "THE AVENGING HAND" in the US. (1915).
Company: Cricks & Martin.
Director: Charles Calvert.
Scenario: Elliott.
http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bb3954c
(NB: Not to be confused with later films in the thirties of the same
name)
Next, a classic...
Dickens BLEAK HOUSE. (1920). Company: Stoll Pictures. Director:
Maurice Elvey.
Scenario: Elliott.
The BFI have this, but it's unclear if other copies exist elsewhere.
Now to the fun stuff...
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. Series of 15 silent shorts. (1921).
Company: Stoll Pictures.
Director: Maurice Elvey.
Scenarios: William J. Elliott.
Eille Norwood as Holmes. Hubert Willis as Watson.
The 15 shorts are:-
* THE DYING DETECTIVE
* THE DEVIL'S FOOT
A CASE OF IDENTITY
THE YELLOW FACE
THE RED HEADED LEAGUE
THE RESIDENT PATIENT
A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA
* THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP
THE BERYL CORONET
THE NOBLE BACHELOR
THE COPPER BEECHES
THE EMPTY HOUSE
THE TIGER OF SAN PEDRO
THE PRIORY SCHOOL
THE SOLITARY CYCLIST
He has the three marked with an asterisk, but it's unclear whether any
others still exist.
Lastly...
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. (1921). Stoll. M. Elvey. W.J. Elliott
This feature length silent was by the same team as the shorts. The BFI
has shown it (in London) but it seems unavailable anywhere else
(unless you know differently).
There are quite a few other Elliott scripted short silents besides
these, but these were top of his list. The slightly longer list can be
found here...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0254674/
If anyone could post even one of these, my friend and I would be
extremely grateful.
TIA!
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