A 1918 silent crime drama preserving early American cinematic history through its cast and metadata.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Metadata Foundation
The film title, director, and genre are introduced. The 1918 silent crime drama context is established.
Key Events
Film Title Introduction — Opening metadata presentation of the 1918 title. Characters: Kid KellyLocation: Cinema Archive
Director Attribution — Dell Henderson credited as director. Characters: Reverend Thomas RobertsLocation: Production Office
Genre Classification — Identified as American silent crime drama. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo HainesLocation: Film Archive
Lead Actor Casting — Carlyle Blackwell cast as lead protagonist. Characters: Kid KellyLocation: Studio Lot
Lead Actress Casting — Evelyn Greeley cast as female lead. Characters: Flo HainesLocation: Studio Lot
Cast Assembly
Lead and supporting actors are officially listed. The ensemble structure for the production is finalized.
Key Events
Lead Actress Casting — Evelyn Greeley cast as female lead. Characters: Flo HainesLocation: Studio Lot
Supporting Cast Assembly — Supporting actors assigned their parts. Characters: Joe Carelli, Reverend Thomas Roberts, TonyLocation: Casting Room
Silent Era Context — Placement within 1910-36 silent film period. Characters: Kid KellyLocation: Historical Record
Crime Drama Setup — Establishment of crime drama narrative structure. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo HainesLocation: Narrative Framework
Production Timeline — Filming scheduled for 1918 release window. Characters: Reverend Thomas RobertsLocation: Studio Schedule
Cast List Compilation — Official cast roster finalized and documented. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo Haines, Joe CarelliLocation: Production Office
Narrative Framework
Genre conventions and protagonist introductions are outlined. The silent film era context is reinforced.
Key Events
Cast List Compilation — Official cast roster finalized and documented. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo Haines, Joe CarelliLocation: Production Office
Director Vision — Dell Henderson outlines visual approach. Characters: Reverend Thomas RobertsLocation: Director Booth
Protagonist Introduction — Kid Kelly introduced as central figure. Characters: Kid KellyLocation: Film Frame
Romantic Lead Introduction — Flo Haines introduced as key supporting role. Characters: Flo HainesLocation: Film Frame
Ensemble Integration — Supporting cast integrated into scenes. Characters: Joe Carelli, Reverend Thomas Roberts, TonyLocation: Set Floor
Genre Conventions — Application of silent crime drama tropes. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo HainesLocation: Narrative Space
Archival Preservation
Historical documentation and bibliography citations are compiled. The film is cemented in cinema history.
Key Events
Genre Conventions — Application of silent crime drama tropes. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo HainesLocation: Narrative Space
Historical Documentation — Film cataloged in silent feature archives. Characters: Reverend Thomas RobertsLocation: Archive Vault
Bibliography Citation — Referenced in Connelly and Munden publications. Characters: Kid KellyLocation: Library
External Database Link — IMDb entry created for preservation. Characters: Flo HainesLocation: Digital Archive
Legacy Preservation — Film recognized as part of early American cinema. Characters: Kid Kelly, Flo HainesLocation: Cinema History
Final Catalog Entry — Complete metadata finalized and archived. Characters: Joe Carelli, Reverend Thomas Roberts, TonyLocation: Film Registry
Story Breakdown
Production Context — Establishes the film's historical and creative background.
Director Credit — Dell Henderson leads the production.
Release Year — Filmed and released in 1918.
Genre Classification — Defines the narrative style and thematic focus.
Silent Era Format — Utilizes intertitles and visual storytelling.
Crime Drama Theme — Focuses on criminal elements and justice.
Lead Cast — Introduces the primary actors driving the narrative.
Carlyle Blackwell — Ports the protagonist Kid Kelly.
Evelyn Greeley — Ports the supporting lead Flo Haines.
Supporting Cast — Features additional actors expanding the ensemble.
Joseph W. Smiley — Ports Joe Carelli in key scenes.
George MacQuarrie — Ports Reverend Thomas Roberts.
Historical Documentation — Tracks the film's archival and bibliographic records.
Silent Press Archive — Cataloged in Connelly volume 40.
AFI Catalog Entry — Documented in Munden Part 1.
Legacy Preservation — Ensures the film remains accessible for study.
IMDb Database — Hosts cast and crew details online.
Cinema History — Recognized as early American cinema.
Kid Kelly, a gangster in New York's Lower East Side, attempts to rob Goldberg's millinery store. When the police arrive, Flo Haines, who had come to the building to look at an apartment, hides. When the police find her, they charge her with the crime, but the Kid turns himself over to the law instead. After his release, he again meets Flo, who works in an artificial-flower factory by day and at Reverend Roberts' relief mission by night. The Kid soon falls in love with Flo, and his jealous sweetheart Mamie tricks her into coming to her apartment, where she drugs her and turns her over to Joe Carelli, the flower factory's lustful owner. The Kid saves Flo, but when Carelli is found murdered the next day, he is arrested for the crime. The confession of Annie, who had stabbed Carelli in a jealous rage, frees The Kid, who reforms himself and marries Flo.
