Remembrance Wall

Title: The Life and Death of Richard III

Date: 1912

Distributor: Sterling Camera and Film Co.

Director: James Keene

Cast: Frederick Warde, Mr. Gomp

Summary: Richard, the power-hungry and bitter younger brother of King Edward IV, desperately wants to be king. He schemes, manipulates and murders his way to the throne. On the eve of his decisive battle with his rival Richmond, Richard has a dream in which he is haunted by all the people he has murdered, who tell him that he will die the next day. As foretold, Richard loses his horse in battle and is killed by Richmond, who becomes King Henry VII.

Notes: Found in collection of William Buffum. Buffum was former projectionist at the Bluebird Theatre in Portland, Oregon between 1938 and 1947. This is the first known feature-length Shakespearean film adaptation and first feature film from 1912 known to exist in its entirety. 1912 was the first year that feature-length films were produced in the United States.