Hepworth Picture Plays was a British film production company active during the silent era. Founded in 1897 by the cinema pioneer Cecil Hepworth, it was based at

Walton Studios Walton Studios, previously named Hepworth Studios and Nettlefold Studios, was a film production studio in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, England.London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. In February 1909 the company took part in the Paris Film Congress, a failed attempt by leading European producers to form an organisation similar to the MPPC cartel recently established in the United States. Around the time of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, the company gradually switched from traditional

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

s to the

feature films A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

that increasingly dominated the world market. It also developed many early stars of British cinema, including Alma Taylor, Stewart Rome,

Violet Hopson Violet Hopson (16 December 1887 – 21 July 1973) was an actress and producer who achieved fame on the British stage and in British silent films. She was born Elma Kate Victoria Karkeek in Port Augusta, South Australia on 16 December 1887. Viol ...

Chrissie White Chrissie White (23 May 1895 – 18 August 1989) was a British film actress of the silent era. She appeared in more than 180 films between 1908 and 1933. White married actor and film director Henry Edwards in 1922, and in the 1920s the two ...

, Henry Edwards and

Gerald Ames Gerald Ames (12 September 1880 – 2 July 1933) was a British actor, film director and Olympic fencer. Ames was born in Blackheath, London in 1880 and first took up acting in 1905. He was a popular leading man in the post-First World War cinema ...

. The company attempted to expand after the war, as part of a wider boom in the British industry. Many of the company's most popular works were directed by Edwards, who starred in many of them. In 1923 the company went

bankrupt Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor ...

and Hepworth retired from filmmaking. The studios were sold off and used by other producers.Low p.112

Filmography

Feature films

* ''

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

'' (1913) * ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'' (1913) * ''

The Old Curiosity Shop ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' is one of two novels (the other being ''Barnaby Rudge'') which Charles Dickens published along with short stories in his weekly serial ''Master Humphrey's Clock'', from 1840 to 1841. It was so popular that New York r ...

'' (1914) * ''

The Heart of Midlothian ''The Heart of Mid-Lothian'' is the seventh of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley Novels. It was originally published in four volumes on 25 July 1818, under the title of '' Tales of My Landlord, 2nd series'', and the author was given as "Jedediah Cle ...

'' (1914) * ''

Justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

'' (1914) * '' Shopgirls'' (1914) * '' The Murdoch Trial'' (1914) * ''

The Bottle "The Bottle" is a song by American soul artist Gil Scott-Heron and musician Brian Jackson, released in 1974 on Strata-East Records in the United States. It was later reissued during the mid-1980s on Champagne Records in the United Kingdom. "Th ...

'' (1915) * '' Her Boy'' (1915) * '' The White Hope'' (1915) * ''

The Golden Pavement ''The Golden Pavement'' is a 1915 British silent drama film directed by Cecil M. Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, Stewart Rome and Lionelle Howard.Palmer p.790 Cast * Alma Taylor as Brenda Crayle * Stewart Rome as Dennis * Lionelle ...

'' (1915) * '' The Nightbirds of London'' (1915) * '' The Man Who Stayed at Home'' (1915) * ''

Barnaby Rudge ''Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty'' (commonly known as ''Barnaby Rudge'') is a historical novel by British novelist Charles Dickens. ''Barnaby Rudge'' was one of two novels (the other was ''The Old Curiosity Shop'') that Dickens publ ...

'' (1915) * '' Sweet Lavender'' (1915) * ''

Annie Laurie "Annie Laurie" is an old Scottish song based on a poem said to have been written by William Douglas (1682?–1748) of Dumfriesshire, about his romance with Annie Laurie (1682–1764). The words were modified and the tune was added by Alicia Sco ...

'' (1916) * ''

Iris Iris most often refers to: *Iris (anatomy), part of the eye *Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess * ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants * Iris (color), an ambiguous color term Iris or IRIS may also refer to: Arts and media Fictional ent ...

'' (1916) * '' A Fallen Star'' (1916) * ''

Comin' Thro' the Rye "Comin' Thro' the Rye" is a poem written in 1782 by Robert Burns (1759–1796). The words are put to the melody of the Scottish Minstrel "Common' Frae The Town". This is a variant of the tune to which " Auld Lang Syne" is usually sung—the melodi ...

'' (1916) * '' A Bunch of Violets'' (1916) * '' Sowing the Wind'' (1916) * '' The House of Fortescue'' (1916) * '' Molly Bawn'' (1916) * '' Doorsteps'' (1916) * ''

The Grand Babylon Hotel ''The Grand Babylon Hotel'' is a novel by Arnold Bennett, published in January 1902, about the mysterious disappearance of a German prince. It originally appeared as a serial in the ''Golden Penny''. The titular Grand Babylon was modelled on the ...

'' (1916) * ''

The Marriage of William Ashe ''The Marriage of William Ashe'' is a novel by Mary Augusta Ward that was the best-selling novel in the United States in 1905.(March 8, 1905)Books of the Day - The Marriage of William Ashe ''Boston Evening Transcript'' Hackett, Alice Payne (194 ...

'' (1916) * ''

Trelawny of the Wells ''Trelawny of the "Wells"'' is an 1898 comic play by Arthur Wing Pinero. It tells the story of a theatre star who attempts to give up the stage for love, but is unable to fit into conventional society. Synopsis ''Trelawny of the "Wells"'' te ...

'' (1916) * ''

The American Heiress ''The American Heiress'' is a 1917 British silent crime film directed by Cecil M. Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, Violet Hopson and Stewart Rome.Wintour p.173 Cast * Alma Taylor as Bessie * Violet Hopson Violet Hopson (16 December ...

'' (1917) * ''

Broken Threads ''Broken Threads'' is a 1917 British silent drama film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White and A.V. Bramble. Cast * Henry Edwards - Jack Desmond * Chrissie White - Helen Desmond * A.V. Bramble - Pierre * Harry Gi ...

'' (1917) * '' The Touch of a Child'' (1917) * '' The Blindness of Fortune'' (1917) * '' The Cobweb'' (1917) * ''

Her Marriage Lines ''Her Marriage Lines'' is a 1917 British silent crime film directed by Frank Wilson and starring Stewart Rome, Chrissie White and Violet Hopson.Palmer p.884 Cast * Stewart Rome as Godfrey * Chrissie White as Jean Neville * Violet Hopson ...

'' (1917) * ''

The Man Behind 'The Times' ''The Man Behind 'The Times is a 1917 British silent crime film directed by Frank Wilson and starring Stewart Rome, Chrissie White and Lionelle Howard.Palmer p.884 Cast * Stewart Rome as Aaron Moss * Chrissie White as Jet Overbury * L ...

'' (1917) * '' The Eternal Triangle'' (1917) * '' Merely Mrs. Stubbs'' (1917) * '' The Failure'' (1917) * ''

Nearer My God to Thee "Nearer, My God, to Thee" is a 19th-century Christian hymn by Sarah Flower Adams, which retells the story of Jacob's dream. Genesis 28:11–12 can be translated as follows: "So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because th ...

'' (1917) * '' The Hanging Judge'' (1918) * '' Towards the Light'' (1918) * ''

Boundary House ''Boundary House'' is a 1918 British silent drama film directed by Cecil M. Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, Gerald Ames and William Felton.Palmer p.900 Plot A man forces a woman to pose as his dead wife, who was her doppelganger. Cast ...

'' (1918) * '' His Dearest Possession'' (1919) * '' The Nature of the Beast'' (1919) * ''

Broken in the Wars ''Broken in the Wars'' is a 1919 British silent drama film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Henry Edwards, Chrissie White and Alma Taylor. The Pensions Minister John Hodge appeared in the film to promote the King's Fund, which support ...

'' (1919) * ''

Sheba Sheba (; he, ''Šəḇāʾ''; ar, سبأ ''Sabaʾ''; Ge'ez: ሳባ ''Saba'') is a kingdom mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the Quran. Sheba features in Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions, particularly the Ethiopian Orth ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Kinsman ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1919) * '' Sunken Rocks'' (1919) * ''

Possession Possession may refer to: Law * Dependent territory, an area of land over which another country exercises sovereignty, but which does not have the full right of participation in that country's governance * Drug possession, a crime * Ownership * ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Forest on the Hill ''The Forest on the Hill'' is a 1919 British silent crime film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, James Carew and Gerald Ames. It was based on a novel by Eden Phillpotts. Cast * Alma Taylor - Drusilla Whyddon * James Car ...

'' (1919) * '' The City of Beautiful Nonsense'' (1919) * '' Alf's Button'' (1920) * ''

Once Aboard the Lugger ''Once Aboard the Lugger'' is a 1920 British silent comedy film directed by Gerald Ames and Gaston Quiribet and starring E. Holman Clark, Eileen Dennes and Evan Thomas.Goble p.894 Plot A hard-up student kidnaps his rich uncle's cat. Cast * ...

'' (1920) * ''

A Temporary Vagabond ''A Temporary Vagabond'' is a 1920 British silent comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White and Stephen Ewart. Cast * Henry Edwards - Dick Derelict * Chrissie White - Peggie Hurst * Stephen Ewart - James Hur ...

'' (1920) * ''

Aylwin Patricio Aylwin Azócar (; 26 November 1918 – 19 April 2016) was a Chilean politician from the Christian Democratic Party, lawyer, author, professor and former senator. He was the first president of Chile after dictator Augusto Pinochet, a ...

'' (1920) * '' The Amazing Quest of Mr. Ernest Bliss'' (1920) * ''

Helen of Four Gates ''Helen of Four Gates'' is a 1920 British silent melodrama film directed by cinema pioneer Cecil Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor (in a dual role as mother and daughter), James Carew, and Gerald Ames. Production background The film was ada ...

'' (1920) * ''

John Forrest Finds Himself ''John Forrest Finds Himself'' is a 1920 British silent romance film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White and Gerald Ames. Cast * Henry Edwards - John Forrest * Chrissie White - Joan Grey * Gerald Ames - Ezra Blo ...

'' (1920) * '' Mrs. Erricker's Reputation'' (1920) * ''

The Lunatic at Large ''The Lunatic at Large'' is a 1921 British silent comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White and Gwynne Herbert. The screenplay concerns an aristocratic matron who attempts to arrange a suitable marriage for he ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Narrow Valley ''The Narrow Valley'' is a 1921 British silent drama film directed by Cecil Hepworth. As of August 2010, the film is missing from the BFI National Archive, and is listed as one of the British Film Institute's " 75 Most Wanted" lost films. Cas ...

'' (1921) * ''

Dollars in Surrey ''Dollars in Surrey'' is a 1921 British silent comedy film directed by George Dewhurst and Anson Dyer and starring Alma Taylor, James Carew and Hugh Clifton.Connelly p.341 Cast * Alma Taylor * James Carew * Hugh Clifton * Gwynne Herbert ...

'' (1921) * ''

Wild Heather ''Wild Heather'' is a 1921 British drama film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Chrissie White, Gerald Ames, James Carew and George Dewhurst. It was based on the 1917 play '' Wild Heather'' by Dorothy Brandon. Cast *Chrissie White as ...

'' (1921) * '' The Bargain'' (1921) * ''

Tansy Tansy (''Tanacetum vulgare'') is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant in the genus ''Tanacetum'' in the aster family, native to temperate Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, and in ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Tinted Venus ''The Tinted Venus'' is a 1921 British silent fantasy film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, George Dewhurst and Maud Cressall.Palmer p.92 ''The Tinted Venus'' was based on the 1885 novella by F. Anstey (pseudonym of Thom ...

'' (1921) * ''

Mr. Justice Raffles ''Mr. Justice Raffles'' is a 1909 novel written by E.W. Hornung. It featured his popular character A. J. Raffles a well-known cricketer and gentleman thief. It was the fourth and last in his four Raffles books which had begun with '' The Amate ...

'' (1921) * ''

Tit for Tat Tit for tat is an English saying meaning "equivalent retaliation". It developed from "tip for tap", first recorded in 1558. It is also a highly effective strategy in game theory. An intelligent agent, agent using this strategy will first coope ...

'' (1921) * '' Simple Simon'' (1922) * '' Strangling Threads'' (1923) * '' The Naked Man'' (1923) * '' The Pipes of Pan'' (1923) * ''

Boden's Boy ''Boden's Boy'' is a 1923 British romance film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White, and Francis Lister. It was based on a novel by Tom Gallon. Cast * Henry Edwards as Enery Boden * Chrissie White as Barbara Pilgrim ...

'' (1923) * ''

Lily of the Alley ''Lily of the Alley'' is a 1924 British silent film drama directed by Henry Edwards, who also starred in the film with his wife Chrissie White. ''Lily of the Alley'' was filmed in 1922 and given trade showings in early 1923, but its general r ...

'' (1923) * '' Comin' Thro the Rye'' (1923) * ''

Mist in the Valley ''Mist in the Valley'' is a 1923 British silent crime film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, G. H. Mulcaster and James Carew. It was based on a novel by Dorin Craig. Cast * Alma Taylor - Margaret Yeoland * G. H. Mulc ...

'' (1923) * ''

The World of Wonderful Reality ''The World of Wonderful Reality'' is a 1924 British lost silent romance film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White, and James Lindsay. It was based on a story by E. Temple Thurston. Cast * Henry Edwards as John ...

'' (1924)

Selected short films

* '' Explosion of a Motor Car'' (1900) * '' Alice in Wonderland'' (1903) * '' Rescued by Rover'' (1905) * '' Oliver Twist'' (1912) * '' The Cloister and the Hearth'' (1913) * '' David Garrick'' (1913) * '' Shadows of a Great City'' (1913) * ''

The Vicar of Wakefield ''The Vicar of Wakefield'', subtitled ''A Tale, Supposed to be written by Himself'', is a novel by Anglo-Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774). It was written from 1761 to 1762 and published in 1766. It was one of the most popular and wid ...

'' (1913) * ''

The Chimes ''The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In'', commonly referred to as ''The Chimes'', is a novella written by Charles Dickens and first published in 1844, one year after ''A Christmas Carol''. It is th ...

'' (1914)

References

Bibliography

* Brown, Simon David. ''Cecil Hepworth and the Rise of the British Film Industry 1899-1911''. University of Exeter Press, 2016. * Low, Rachael. ''The History of the British Film. Volume IV, 1918-1929''. George Allen & Unwin, 1971. {{Cinema of the United Kingdom British film studios Film production companies of the United Kingdom Film distributors of the United Kingdom 1897 establishments in the United Kingdom