The Sinking of the Lusitania -- July 27, 2018

Moving Picture World, 20-July-1918

100 years ago this month, in July, 1918, Jewel Productions, a subsidiary of Universal, released Winsor McCay's animated documentary, "The Sinking of the Lusitania."

After a year of war, Germany was not in a good position. The British had established a fairly tight blockade of imports, and the army had failed to take Paris and had settled into static positions on the Western Front. In order to disrupt vital shipping to Britain, Germany had decided to adopt a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. U-Boats would no longer warn civilian vessels before sinking them. On 07-May-1915, U-20 torpedoed and sank RMS Lusitania near the coast of Ireland. A number of Americans died and this nearly drove the country into the war on the side of the Allies, Britain, France and Russia. Germany promised to stop unrestricted submarine warfare and America stayed out until they resumed it again.

Lusitania carried 1,962 passengers. 1,191 died. 128 of the dead were Americans.

Pioneering animator Winsor McCay devoted his own time and money to make a film of the sinking.  This was his first animated movie to use the cel method which is still used today for hand-drawn animation.  Despite the time saved with cels, the movie took nearly two years to complete.

It is an effective piece of anti-German propaganda.

Moving Picture World, 27-July-1918

Motion Picture News, 06-July-1918

"One would never imagine that the time would come when the more serious things in life would be told most realistically by animated cartoon drawings."

News of the Week June 19, 1915 -- June 19, 2015

The 19-June-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Thousands of mourners pay loving tribute to the memory of Charles Frohman.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Theatrical producer Charles Frohman died in the sinking of the Lusitania. 

"African Chausseurs show their proficiency in welding (sic - wielding? - JT) their lances, at Seulis, France.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   The Chasseurs d'Afrique were a light cavalry regiment in the French Army. 

"Members of Chinese Commercial Commission arrive in New York.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The commission travelled across the country from San Francisco. 

"Coney Island, N. Y., again becomes the mecca of summer pleasure-seekers.   Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  I wonder if that is Luna Park. 

"Two of the deadly bombs dropped on Bury St. Edmunds, England from Zeppelins.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   I guess that is a British policeman holding two duds. 

"Braves  hoist the championship pennant over the home grounds.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Miracle Braves won the 1914 World Series after being in last place on July 4.  They defeated the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series. 

News of the Week May 22, 1915 -- May 22, 2015

The 22-May-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"The liner 'Lusitania' leaving New York on her last voyage.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial." On 01-May-1915, Cunard liner RMS Lusitania sailed for Britain.  The German embassy in Washington DC placed an ad warning that the ship was liable to be sunk:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2015/05/lusitania-warning-may-1-2015.html
On 07-May-1915, U-20 torpedoed and sank Lusitania near the coast of Ireland:  
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2015/05/great-liner-lusitania-torpedoed-and.html

"King Victor of Italy reviews his troops in the city of Rome.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News." Italy was neutral until 23-May-1915, when it declared war on Austria-Hungary.  Victor Emmanuel III is looking at a troop of Bersaglieri, who wear feathers in their hats and jog rather than march. 

"Heavy guns being loaded in Paris for shipment to the front.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News." I don't know what gun that is.  Since they call it heavy, I assume it is bigger than a 75. 

"Chancellor von Bethmann-Holweg and Prince Wilhelm honor Bismarck at Berlin.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial." Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg was the German Chancellor.  I think he is in uniform.  I don't see Wilhelm the Crown Prince and his son Wilhelm was too young to be one of these men. 

"U. S. torpedo boat destroyer "Tucker" is launched at Quincy, Massachusetts.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial." USS Tucker (DD-57) was a destroyer which served the Navy and the Coast Guard until 1936. 

"A naval and military parade at Norfolk, Virginia.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News." Naval Station Norfolk is a key part of the economy of the area. 

The Ill-Fated Cunard Liner Lusitania -- May 7, 2015

Moving Picture World, 22-May-1915

After a year of war, Germany was not in a good position.  The British had established a fairly tight blockade of imports, and the army had failed to take Paris and had settled into static positions on the Western Front.  In order to disrupt vital shipping to Britain, Germany had decided to adopt a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.  U-Boats would no longer warn civilian vessels before sinking them.  On 07-May-1915, U-20 torpedoed and sank RMS Lusitania near the coast of Ireland.  A number of Americans died and this nearly drove the country into the war on the side of the Allies, Britain, France and Russia.  Germany promised to stop unrestricted submarine warfare and America stayed out until they resumed it again. 

Lusitania carried 1,962 passengers.  1,191 died.  128 of the dead were Americans. 

The ads on this page were an early reaction to the sinking.  No movies or still photographs were taken of the sinking, so slides were probably hand-drawn.  The posters may have been used to promote newsreels that showed the ship sailing. 

Moving Picture World, 22-May-1915



My other blog has a contemporary newspaper article about the sinking:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2015/05/great-liner-lusitania-torpedoed-and.html