The Intern Who Uncovered a Piece of Cinematic History
Dan Martin, a 26-year-old film preservation student at Toronto Metropolitan University, was tasked with sorting through dozens of old film cans at Historic Films Archive, a stock-footage library on Long Island. While this might sound like an unglamorous internship assignment, it turned out to be a momentous one. Among the dusty, rusted cans, Martin stumbled upon something extraordinary: five reels of 16-millimeter film containing The Heart of Lincoln, a 1922 silent film directed by and starring Francis Ford. This discovery was significant, as the film was one of over 7,000 silent films considered lost by the Library of Congress. For Martin, this was a once-in-a-lifetime find, the kind of moment that film preservation students like him dream about.
The film cans were part of a collection donated to Historic Films Archive about 20 years earlier from a Midwest university. Most of the films in this collection were educational and had been discarded by institutions over the years. The Heart of Lincoln was one of them, but it was far from ordinary. Directed by Francis Ford, an early Hollywood pioneer and the older brother of Oscar-winning director John Ford, this film was a rare piece of cinematic history. Ford played Lincoln nine times in his films, and The Heart of Lincoln was one of his most notable works. The film tells the story of a young Abraham Lincoln seeking shelter during a storm and later intervening to save the life of a widow’s son during the Civil War. It also includes Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
A Glimpse into Francis Ford’s Forgotten Legacy
The discovery of The Heart of Lincoln is a testament to Francis Ford’s enduring influence on early cinema, even though his work has largely been forgotten. Ford was a trailblazer in Hollywood, known for his versatility as both an actor and a director. He frequently depicted historical figures, particularly Abraham Lincoln, who became a recurring character in his films. The Heart of Lincoln was not Ford’s first film about Lincoln; he had previously directed When Lincoln Paid in 1913, a copy of which was discovered in 2010 during the demolition of a barn in New Hampshire. These films reflect Ford’s fascination with Lincoln and his desire to bring the iconic president’s story to life on the screen.
However, Ford’s career was not without challenges. In 1917, he left Universal Pictures to start his own studio but struggled financially after his business manager embezzled funds. To make ends meet, Ford remade The Heart of Lincoln in 1922, adding a prologue to the original 1915 version. This decision was partly driven by necessity, as coming up with new ideas was not his strong suit, according to media historian Kathy Fuller-Seeley. Despite these challenges, Ford’s films remain important historical artifacts, offering insights into the early days of cinema and the cultural obsession with Lincoln.
The Value of Internships in Film Preservation
Dan Martin’s discovery highlights the importance of internships in film preservation. While tasks like sorting through old film cans may seem mundane, they are often the first step in uncovering hidden gems like The Heart of Lincoln. Martin’s work at Historic Films Archive was part of his internship, and it was during this time that he made the groundbreaking discovery. For him, this was a defining moment in his academic and professional journey. “This isn’t a very common thing to come across,” he said. “You could be a film archivist and, you know, never come across a film of historic or cultural value like this.”
The experience also underscores the importance of patience and dedication in film preservation. Many of the films in the archive were collecting dust for decades, and it took a curious intern like Martin to bring The Heart of Lincoln back to light. His work not only preserves a piece of cinema history but also sheds light on the career of Francis Ford, a figure who played a significant role in shaping early Hollywood.
Rewriting History: The Impact on Film Scholarship
The discovery of The Heart of Lincoln is more than just a fascinating story; it has significant implications for film scholarship. Silent films are notoriously fragile, and many have been lost to time due to neglect or deterioration. According to a 2013 report by the Council on Library and Information Resources, 70% of feature-length silent films made in America have been lost. This makes the discovery of The Heart of Lincoln all the more remarkable.
For academics like Kathy Fuller-Seeley, a professor of media history at the University of Texas at Austin, the discovery is a treasure trove of new information. “There are so few of Francis Ford films extant that this was doubly delightful to find,” she said. The film provides valuable insights into Ford’s style, themes, and career trajectory, as well as the broader cultural context of early cinema. It also offers a fresh perspective on how Lincoln was portrayed in films during the silent era.
One of the key pieces of evidence that confirmed the film’s significance was the presence of Ford’s son, Philip, who appeared in the 1922 version as a young soldier. This detail helped historians date the film and distinguish it from earlier versions. Such discoveries are rare and serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving film archives, no matter how small or obscure they may seem.
From Dusty Vaults to the Digital Age
The journey of The Heart of Lincoln from a dusty film can to a digitized historical artifact is a testament to the power of modern technology in film preservation. After Martin’s discovery, the film was carefully cleaned and digitized, allowing historians and audiences to experience it anew. While it is not yet ready for public release, clips from the film were screened at a preservation festival in Sag Harbor, New York, giving attendees a glimpse of this forgotten masterpiece.
Joe Lauro, the owner of Historic Films Archive, has ambitious plans for the film. He hopes to commission a new score and restore the film to its former glory. Once fully restored, The Heart of Lincoln will be made available to the public, offering a unique window into the past. For film enthusiasts and historians alike, this is an exciting prospect.
The digital age has breathed new life into old films like The Heart of Lincoln. By preserving and digitizing these films, archivists like Dan Martin and organizations like Historic Films Archive ensure that future generations can learn from and appreciate the early days of cinema. This film, once considered lost forever, now has a second chance to captivate audiences and inspire new narratives about cinematic history.
The Bigger Picture: Film Preservation as a Labor of Love
Dan Martin’s discovery of The Heart of Lincoln is a powerful reminder of the importance of film preservation. What might seem like a tedious task—sorting through old film cans—can lead to groundbreaking discoveries that redefine our understanding of cinema history. For Martin, this internship was more than just a resume-builder; it was an opportunity to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.
Film preservation is often a labor of love, requiring patience, dedication, and a passion for the past. It is through the efforts of archivists, interns, and historians that lost films like The Heart of Lincoln are brought back to light. These stories remind us that cinema is not just entertainment but also a window into the past, offering insights into the people, places, and events that shaped our world.
As The Heart of Lincoln prepares for its digital rebirth, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of film and the importance of preserving our cinematic legacy. For Dan Martin, this discovery will always be a defining moment in his career, a reminder that even the smallest tasks can lead to the biggest rewards. And for the rest of us, it’s a chance to experience a piece of history that was once thought to be lost forever.
