If Youth but Knew (Original title)
Date: 1926 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirector: George A. Cooper
Synopsis: DRAMA. A love story of two generations. R.1 Dr. Martin Sumner, a Victorian country doctor and early motor enthusiast, meets Dora Romney. He invites her and her mother to accompany him the London- Brighton run; the car runs into difficulties and Mrs. Romney leaves them; the car continues on its way but eventually crashes (984). R.2 In the stranded car, Martin and Dora declare their love; later he leaves to take up a post as medical officer in Nigeria for five years and Dora promises to wait for him. In Nigeria, Martin regularly receives letters from his fiancee; In England, Dora is receiving attentions from Sir Ormsby Ledger. He takes her hunting and presses his suit at the hunt hall (1869). R.3 After the ball, Sir Ormsby proposes to Dora, but she remains faithful to Martin. Martin returns from Nigeria and arrangements are made for their wedding; on her wedding day, Sir Ormsby climbs into Dora's bedroom and urges her to change her mind; torn by doubts, Dora faints (2565). R.4 Martin is waiting at the church but is hurriedly summoned to Dora; she tells him she cannot marry him and the wedding is cancelled. Eighteen years later, Martin is seen in Nigeria with his faithful servant, Amos. His two native servants are Ankole, a trouble maker, and Loanda, a Christian native who secretly loves him. Ankole incites the natives to attack a party on safari; Loanda warns Martin (3446). R.5 Martin organises a search for the safari party; Ankole threatens Loanda and is soundly whipped by Martin; the natives attack and sacrifice one of the safari party on the juju tree; during Martin's absence, Ankole overpowers Amos and takes possession of the guns; he lays in wait to shoot Martin on his return, but is shot by Loanda. Martin returns in time to welcome two refugees from the safari, a girl and her wounded father (4248). R.6 Martin is astounded to find that the wounded man is Sir Ormsby Ledger and the girl, Dora's daughter, Doreen. In an effort to save Sir Ormsby's life, Martin gives him a blood transfusion from his own arm; realising he is dying, Sir Ormsby gives his daughter into Martin's care, her mother having died when Doreen was born. The natives resume their attack; Amos takes the girl and her father away by the back entrance and Martin and Loanda remain to repell the attack. Loanda is killed and Martin escapes to meet the rest of the party in the jungle. Sir Ormsby has died, and Martin comforts the stricken girl (5121). R.7 After six years, Martin and his adopted daughter are seen in England. Doreen becomes engaged; learning on her wedding day of her mother's former engagement to Martin, she feels compelled to stay with him, but he persuades her not to sacrifice the young man's happiness. The film closes with the caption "If youth but knew the sorrows of the old who loved and lost". (6226). "The End".
Genres: Melodrama, Romance
Subjects: Nigeria, Blood transfusions
Releases
Date: 1926Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: not specified - Black and White - SilentRuntime: 98 mins 7 secs - Length: 8095 FeetLanguage: English
Title: [The Stoll Herald - v5 n172 18 Apr 1927: no known title]Language: English
In: The Bioscope v68 n1039 9 Sep 1926
Title: [The Bioscope - v68 n1039 9 Sep 1926: no known title]Language: English
Author: GLEDHILL, Christine Pages: x, 214 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(12)
Accessible materials to view(3)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6220 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83051
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6203 FeetBFI identifier: C-83052
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 92.19 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1397170
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Digital materials(1)
Description: MOVDuration: 01;32;20; minutesV210 - BFI identifier: N-3611397
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Video materials(1)
Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 92.19 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1397170
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(10)
Description: PositiveBFI identifier: C-223564
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6220 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83051
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6203 FeetBFI identifier: C-83052
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBFI identifier: C-223563
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: SafetySound: SilentLength: 6226 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83050
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SilentLength: 6239 FeetStock date: 1929BFI identifier: C-83053
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 425 FeetStock date: 1997BFI identifier: C-1088042
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted and Toned PositiveBase: MixedSound: SilentLength: 4197 FeetBFI identifier: C-1055117
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted PositiveBase: NitrateSound: SilentLength: 6225 FeetStock date: 1927BFI identifier: C-83054
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted PositiveBase: MixedSound: SilentLength: 1172 FeetStock date: 1926BFI identifier: C-1237253
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Date: 1926 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirector: George A. Cooper
Synopsis: DRAMA. A love story of two generations. R.1 Dr. Martin Sumner, a Victorian country doctor and early motor enthusiast, meets Dora Romney. He invites her and her mother to accompany him the London- Brighton run; the car runs into difficulties and Mrs. Romney leaves them; the car continues on its way but eventually crashes (984). R.2 In the stranded car, Martin and Dora declare their love; later he leaves to take up a post as medical officer in Nigeria for five years and Dora promises to wait for him. In Nigeria, Martin regularly receives letters from his fiancee; In England, Dora is receiving attentions from Sir Ormsby Ledger. He takes her hunting and presses his suit at the hunt hall (1869). R.3 After the ball, Sir Ormsby proposes to Dora, but she remains faithful to Martin. Martin returns from Nigeria and arrangements are made for their wedding; on her wedding day, Sir Ormsby climbs into Dora's bedroom and urges her to change her mind; torn by doubts, Dora faints (2565). R.4 Martin is waiting at the church but is hurriedly summoned to Dora; she tells him she cannot marry him and the wedding is cancelled. Eighteen years later, Martin is seen in Nigeria with his faithful servant, Amos. His two native servants are Ankole, a trouble maker, and Loanda, a Christian native who secretly loves him. Ankole incites the natives to attack a party on safari; Loanda warns Martin (3446). R.5 Martin organises a search for the safari party; Ankole threatens Loanda and is soundly whipped by Martin; the natives attack and sacrifice one of the safari party on the juju tree; during Martin's absence, Ankole overpowers Amos and takes possession of the guns; he lays in wait to shoot Martin on his return, but is shot by Loanda. Martin returns in time to welcome two refugees from the safari, a girl and her wounded father (4248). R.6 Martin is astounded to find that the wounded man is Sir Ormsby Ledger and the girl, Dora's daughter, Doreen. In an effort to save Sir Ormsby's life, Martin gives him a blood transfusion from his own arm; realising he is dying, Sir Ormsby gives his daughter into Martin's care, her mother having died when Doreen was born. The natives resume their attack; Amos takes the girl and her father away by the back entrance and Martin and Loanda remain to repell the attack. Loanda is killed and Martin escapes to meet the rest of the party in the jungle. Sir Ormsby has died, and Martin comforts the stricken girl (5121). R.7 After six years, Martin and his adopted daughter are seen in England. Doreen becomes engaged; learning on her wedding day of her mother's former engagement to Martin, she feels compelled to stay with him, but he persuades her not to sacrifice the young man's happiness. The film closes with the caption "If youth but knew the sorrows of the old who loved and lost". (6226). "The End".
Genres: Melodrama, Romance
Subjects: Nigeria, Blood transfusions
Releases
Date: 1926Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: not specified - Black and White - SilentRuntime: 98 mins 7 secs - Length: 8095 FeetLanguage: English
Credits
(7)
Production Company: Reciprocity Films, Production Company: Samuelson Film Manufacturing Company, Producer: G.B. Samuelson, Adaptation: Harry Engholm, From the play by: K.C. Spiers, Photography: Sydney Blythe
Cast
(11)
Mary Odette (Loanda), Godfrey Tearle (Martin Sumner MD), Wyndham Standing (Sir Ormsby Ledger), Mary Rorke (Mrs Romney), May Beamish (Mrs Sumner), Minnie Rayner (Martha), Forrester Harvey (Amos), Patrick Waddington (Arthur Noel-Vane), Donald Walcott (Aukole), Lilian Hall-Davis (Dora/Doreen Ledger), Sydney Blythe
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(2)
In: The Stoll Herald v5 n172 18 Apr 1927 Page: 4Title: [The Stoll Herald - v5 n172 18 Apr 1927: no known title]Language: English
In: The Bioscope v68 n1039 9 Sep 1926
Title: [The Bioscope - v68 n1039 9 Sep 1926: no known title]Language: English
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(1)
Title: Reframing British cinema 1918-1928: between restraint and passionAuthor: GLEDHILL, Christine Pages: x, 214 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(12)
Accessible materials to view(3)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6220 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83051
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6203 FeetBFI identifier: C-83052
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 92.19 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1397170
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Digital materials(1)
Description: MOVDuration: 01;32;20; minutesV210 - BFI identifier: N-3611397
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Video materials(1)
Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 92.19 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1397170
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(10)
Description: PositiveBFI identifier: C-223564
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6220 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83051
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 6203 FeetBFI identifier: C-83052
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBFI identifier: C-223563
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: SafetySound: SilentLength: 6226 FeetStock date: 1983BFI identifier: C-83050
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SilentLength: 6239 FeetStock date: 1929BFI identifier: C-83053
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: SilentLength: 425 FeetStock date: 1997BFI identifier: C-1088042
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted and Toned PositiveBase: MixedSound: SilentLength: 4197 FeetBFI identifier: C-1055117
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted PositiveBase: NitrateSound: SilentLength: 6225 FeetStock date: 1927BFI identifier: C-83054
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Tinted PositiveBase: MixedSound: SilentLength: 1172 FeetStock date: 1926BFI identifier: C-1237253
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film