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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1322

The Evidence of the Film

191315 minUnited States

Synopsis

A broker frames a messenger boy for stealing valuable bonds, unaware that a film camera has recorded the exchange. The boy's sister, who works as an editor, finds a way to turn an unnoticed strip of footage into evidence.

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Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs: 14:39
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Lawrence Marston and Edwin Thanhouser · Public domain

Cast

William Garwood

Marie Eline

Florence La Badie

Riley Chamberlin

Helen Badgley

DirectorsLawrence Marston Edwin Thanhouser

Reception and legacy

The only known copy was rediscovered in a Montana cinema's projection booth. The short later entered the US National Film Registry, preserving an early story about film's ability to reveal a hidden event.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 16, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

William Garwood — The original uploader was Hoverfish at English Wikipedia . Later versions were uploaded by Mighty Antar at en.wikipedia . · Public domain
Marie Eline — Thanhouser Film Corporation; thanhouser.org · Public domain
Florence La Badie — Unknown author Unknown author; http://www.silentsaregolden.com/photos/florencelabadie.jpg . Smaller version was uploaded at en: wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_LaBadie.jpg · Public domain
Riley Chamberlin — Thanhouser Company; Heritage Auctions · Public domain
Helen Badgley — Unknown photographer; Reel Life (Mar-Sep 1915) (Mar-Sep 1915) at the Internet Archive · Public domain

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