Hit-The-Trail Holliday

Hit-The-Trail Holliday is a lost[1] 1918 silent comedy film directed by Marshall Neilan and starring George M. Cohan in filmization based on his 1915 Broadway play, Hit-the-Trail-Holiday (the spelling of the play differs from the film).[2] Cohan wrote the play for his brother-in-law Fred Niblo, who was soon to become a film director.[3] Cohan produced the film in conjunction with Famous Players–Lasky.[4][5] A film about Prohibition of Alcohol, directed by one of Hollywood's then biggest alcoholics.

Hit-The-Trail Holliday
Film poster
Directed byMarshall Neilan
Written byJohn Emerson
Anita Loos
Based onHit-the-Trail-Holiday
by George M. Cohan
Produced byAdolph Zukor
Jesse Lasky
George M. Cohan
StarringGeorge M. Cohan
CinematographyWalter Stradling
Distributed byParamount Pictures (as Artcraft Pictures)
Release date
  • June 9, 1918 (1918-06-09)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[6] discharged because of his refusal to sell liquor to a minor, bartender Billie Holiday (Cohan), expert mixer of drinks, seeks employment in St. Johnsburg, a small town dominated by two factions, one a German brewer, the other an American prohibitionist. Pretty Edith Jason (Clayton) strengthens Billy's leanings towards the prohibitionists, and in a rousing address he is successful in making a name for himself. Before long, accompanied by Edith who is now his wife, Billy makes a tour of various cities in an endeavor to wipe out the liquor interests.

Cast

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Hit-The-Trail Holliday
  2. ^ Hit-the-Trail-Holiday on Broadway 1915–16; 336 performances (IBDb.com)
  3. ^ Pictorial History of the American Theatre 1860-1970 p.153 c.1952-1970 by Daniel Blum
  4. ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Hit-The-Trail Holliday
  5. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Hit-The-Trail Holliday". silentera.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "Reviews: Hit-The-Trail Holliday". Exhibitors Herald. 7 (2). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 30. July 6, 1918.
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