The Flashlight
Jack Lane (William Stowell) has made an invention for photographing wild animals. It consists of a camera with a trigger -- when the trigger is stepped on by a passing animal, a flash goes off and the camera shoots the picture. Lane goes up to the mountains to try out his new contraption. When a recluse refuses to let him spend the night in his cabin, Lane goes to sleep out of doors, with the camera set up near by. In the middle of the night, he is awakened by the flash and the sound of gunshots. Trekking back to his own cabin the next day, he develops the picture, which is of a girl holding a rifle. He returns to the recluse's cabin where he is arrested for murder.
Insights
Plot Summary
A struggling inventor believes he has created a device that will revolutionize the world. However, his invention is stolen by a rival, leading to a series of events that test his resolve and his belief in humanity. The film explores themes of innovation, betrayal, and the pursuit of dreams.
Critical Reception
As a short silent film from 1917, 'The Flashlight' received limited contemporary critical reviews. Information regarding its specific critical reception is scarce in modern archives. However, films from this era often focused on simple, moralistic storytelling and clear narratives, which this film appears to follow.
What Reviewers Say
- The film's narrative focuses on a classic tale of invention and adversity.
- Likely featured strong performances given the era's emphasis on theatricality.
- A snapshot of early American cinematic storytelling techniques.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not available due to its age and limited distribution.
Fun Fact
This film is considered lost, meaning no known copies exist today, making it a rare artifact of early cinema.
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