The Hostage (1917 film) explained

The Hostage
Director:	Robert Thornby
Producer:	Jesse L. Lasky
Screenplay:	Beulah Marie Dix
Starring:	Wallace Reid Dorothy Abril Gertrude Short Clarence Geldart Guy Oliver Marcia Manon
Cinematography:	Henry Kotani
Studio:	Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company
Distributor:	Paramount Pictures
Runtime:	50 minutes
Country:	United States
Language:	Silent (English intertitles)

The Hostage is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Robert Thornby and written by Beulah Marie Dix. The film stars Wallace Reid, Dorothy Abril, Gertrude Short, Clarence Geldart, Guy Oliver, and Marcia Manon. The film was released on September 10, 1917, by Paramount Pictures.^{[1] [2]}

Cast

• Wallace Reid as Lieutenant Kemper
• Dorothy Abril as Nathalia
• Gertrude Short as Sophia
• Clarence Geldart as Brigadier
• Guy Oliver as Vanvoyd
• Marcia Manon as Eunice
• Noah Beery, Sr. as Boyadi
• George Spaulding as Ragnor
• Lillian Leighton as Marienka
• Lucien Littlefield as Paul

Reception

Like many American films of the time, The Hostage was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors ordered cut the first two torture scenes and the flashing of four additional torture scenes.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Hostage. AFI. 4 January 2015.
2. Web site: The Hostage (1917) - Overview - TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies. 4 January 2015.
3. Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors . Exhibitors Herald . 5 . 12 . 29 . September 15, 1917 .