Uncle Tom's Cabin (1927 film, 1928 Movietone release)
Carl Laemmle
"Uncle Tom's Cabin"
From the Story by
Harriet Beecher Stowe
A Harry A. Pollard
Production
Story Supervision by
Edward J. Montagne
Continuity by
Harvey They and A. P. Younger
Titles by
Walter Anthony
Supervising Film Editor
Lloyd Nosler
Art Directors
W. R. Smith
Joseph Wright
Charles D. Hall
Wardrobe designed by
Johanna Mathieson
Photography
Charles Stumar and Jacob Kull
Film Editors
Gilmore Walker
Daniel Mandell
Ted Kent
Byron Robinson
A Universal Production
Copyright MCMXXVII by Universal Pictures Corporation
Directed by
Harry A. Pollard
Players
| Eliza | Margarita Fischer | |
| Uncle Tom | James B. Lowe | |
| George Harris | Arthur Edmund Carew | |
| Simon Legree | George Siegmann | |
| Cassy | Eulalie Jensen | |
| Topsy | Mona Ray | |
| Eva | Virginia Grey | |
| Little Harry | Lassie Lou Ahern | |
| Lawyer Marks | Lucien Littlefield | |
| Mr. Haley | Adolph Milar | |
| Loker | Gordon Russell | |
| Aunt Chloe | Gertrude Howard | |
| Mr. Shelby | Jack Mower | |
| Mrs. Shelby | Vivien Oakland | |
| Augustine St. Claire | John Roche | |
| Aunt Ophelia | Aileen Mannin | |
Musical Score
synchronised and recorded
by
Erno Rapee
"There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil."
Dec. 27, 1856
In the year of our Lord, 1856.
The Kentucky home of the Shelbys—an honored name in the South since Revolutionary days.
"What an original idea, Mrs. Shelby—making a social event of the wedding of slaves."
"We raised Eliza from a baby—she couldn't have had a better education or training if she had been our daughter."
"Salome—where are the children?"
"Dunno whar dey is, Missy 'Liza."
"Boo!"
Mr. and Mrs. Shelby, whose gentle rule of the slaves was typical of the South.
"Mr. Shelby is going to tell George to get ready for the wedding—so you'd better hurry, Eliza."
George Harris, the bridegroom—a slave 'rented' to Mr. Shelby by the month.
"You've done enough work for today, George—better get ready for your wedding."
Hemp feed
Man who feeds the machine also handles the buffer
Hemp outlet
Tom Haley—a man of business.
"Shelby, I hope you're not forgetting, one of your notes is due today."
"I sent Uncle Tom to Cincinnati for the money."
"—you sent a slave into a free state for money—and you think he's coming back?"
"Land's sake! Dey's gettin' married jes' like white folks—"
"—almost."
"—dey is white folks—"
"—almost."
Moonlight bathing the old Kentucky home in radiance—romance in the winged and perfumed breezes of the night.
)Eliza
Dancer
Uncle Tom. For three generations his ancestors had been contented servitors in the Shelby family.
Uncle Tom's cabin.
Edward Harris, owner of the body and brain of George Harris.
"I came to get my slave."
"—and when Mr. Shelby buys my freedom, I'll buy yours, Eliza."
"What do you mean—gettin' married without my consent?"
"I've done nothing to be ashamed of, sir."
"Call me Master!"
"Please, Mr. Harris—don't be so cruel! Can't you respect their love?"
"Love—what do they know about love?"
"Mr. Harris, we want to buy George—what is your price?"
"—he ain't for sale!"
The years brought harsher bondage to George, but were blessed by the love of a baby boy—
Cat dog rat
Boy dog
Cow
Cow mice
Harry
Harry
Mother
During the years that passed, Haley had 'Helped' Shelby with many loans on a basis—strictly business.
"I couldn't think of parting with Uncle Tom—he's like one of the family."
"Well, you haven't got the money—and a Shelby always pays his bills!"
"George—you're running away from your Master!"
"What has he done, now, George?"
"He is forcing me to marry one of his slaves—tonight!"
"Hello, Jim Crow!"
"—how about a little dance?"
"Once I get to Canada, Eliza, I'll earn your freedom and Harry's."
"Well—do I get Tom?"
"You've got me, Haley, where I can't refuse—Uncle Tom is yours."
"Of course, you realize, even Tom doesn't cover your note—"
"But that's a small matter—"
"—and George, promise you'll buy Harry's freedom first. He's so bright—so beautiful—I'm afraid—"
"Don't worry, dearest—Mr. Shelby would never sell our Harry."
"Throw in little Jim Crow with Tom, and I'll cancel the note."
"Shelby, I'd hate to foreclose you—on account of your wife, but—"
"Speak up, Shelby—yes or no!"
"I have no choice—Tom and Harry are yours."
"I—I was looking for my baby, sir."
But no echo of sadness reached Uncle Tom's cabin.
"We's got a lot to be thankful for—"
"De Lord's been mighty good to us."
"Tom—Mr. Shelby has sold my baby!"
"And he's sold you, too."
"Tom, you must go with me!"
"My duty is here, chile—go, and God bless you."
"Mighty funny to me—I buy the boy and then he disappears!"
"My man, George, has run away—the dogs have tracked him here!"
"I'll bet he's run away with Eliza and her boy!"
"My bloodhounds are outside, Haley—come on!"
"I hope they never catch them."
"No human can cross that river tonight and the dogs can't track in this storm. Let's warm up at the Inn."
"We're looking for George Harris, a yellow boy, and a light girl with her baby."
"I'm a lawyer, and my name is Marks."
"Well—did you see them?"
"I'm a lawyer, and my name is Marks."
"I know you and your business of catching runaways. Have you seen 'em?"
"A hundred dollars for the kid."
"And how much for the girl?"
"Nothing—she belongs to Shelby."
"We'll let them have the kid, but we'll sell the mother down the river."
Phineas Fletcher, on the North shore of the river—a Quaker in a free state.
"This way quick—the falls are just below!"
Though in a free state, Eliza was subject to the Dred Scott decision—a slave could be taken wherever found.
"Thy husband has crossed the river, too! He'll start for Canada with thee—after dark."
"She's in there, Loker! We'll grab 'em both and take 'em down the river."
"Get her, Officer, before she escapes again."
Uncle Tom, caught in the black and hopeless stream of human souls—destined down the river.
Singer
Down the river.
Augustine St. Clare, of New Orleans.
Miss Ophelia, his cousin from Vermont.
"How shiftless!"
"Land o' Goshen, Eva! What are you up to now?"
"I always take goodies to the negroes—downstairs."
"Did you make it all yourself?"
"I's made hundreds of dem fo' my children, back in Kaintucky."
Always haunting the river boats, risking capture and punishment—searching for his wife and baby.
"Well, if it ain't George Harris—the runaway."
"Guess I'll send you back to your master—"
Stolen by Marks and Loker—chained to their string of human freight, Eliza and Harry await shipment—down the river.
"Once the girl and the baby are on the boat, who can tell them from the slaves we bought."
"Uncle Tom, I'm going to ask Papa to buy you."
"Haley's aboard! If you want to keep your kid—lay low."
"Do you think you'll be happy with your little mistress?"
Lemuel Proctor—plantation owner.
"I'll give you three hundred dollars for the boy."
"Four hundred—and not a cent more."
"I take my slaves off at the next landing. Get the boy ready."
"Now you're goin' for a nice, long walk."
"Mama! Mama!"
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I do not believe that this Government can permanently endure, half slave and half free."
Friday, April 12, 1861——Fort Sumter is fired upon.
Fort Sumter Fired Upon by Rebel Batteries
The Scene of Operations.
Charleston and Its Defences—Plan of the Harbor, Showing the Position of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, Cummings Point Iron Battery, Fort Johnson, the Floating Battery and Other Fortifications.
The War Begun.
Very Exciting News from Charleston.
The St. Clare home in New Orleans.
Little Eva's spirit touched the life of Uncle Tom, like a sunbeam in a darkened room.
Lincoln Proclaims Freedom of Slaves
Abraham Lincoln has fulfilled his threat and issued a proclamation addressed to all those Southern States as are now in a state of rebellion or will be on January 1st, 1863. To all such rebellious states he brings a proclamation declaring all slaves to be free on and after January 1st of next year. He declares:
"The institution of slavery is founded on both injustice and bad policy" and says that "all persons held as slaves shall be thenceforward and forever free, and the Executive Government of the United States including the Military and Naval authorities are instructed to see that there are no violations of this proclamation."
This will bring to a close a custom that has been a detriment to the Nation since its inception.
"—that means you can go home to your wife and babies!"
"Topsy!"
"Yes, Miss Feely—"
"Topsy, where are you?"
"Heah I is, Miss Feely."
"What are you doing?"
"I is pickin' flowers."
"Don't you know you mustn't pick them?"
"But I's pickin' dem for Missy Eva."
"Very well, take them to her, and then come to me."
Aunt Ophelia
Topsy!
"Topsy!"
Aunt Ophelia
Topsy!
"Topsee!"
"I think Miss Feely wants me."
"Golly! How did dat ribbon get up mah sleeve?"
"Topsy, don't you know it's wicked to steal?"
"I nebber seen dat ribbon till dis blessed minute!"
"—I nebber seen dem gloves befo'!"
"Well, Miss Feely—maybe I did take dem gloves—"
"—but I nebber did see dat ribbon befo'!"
"What am I going to do with you?"
"'Specs you'd better whip me—"
"Please, Aunt Ophelia, let me talk to Topsy."
"It's jes' pos'ble I did take dem gloves—"
"—but I nebber did see dat ribbon befo'."
"Topsy, what makes you so bad?"
"'Specs it's 'cause I is so wicked."
"—if you'd only try to be good!"
"Couldn't be nuthin' but a nigger if I wuz ever so good."
"If I could be skinned and come out white, I might be good."
"Oh, Topsy, people can love you, even if you are black."
"Nobody loves niggers—'cause niggers ain't worth nuthin', nohow."
"Oh Topsy—I love you."
"Don't cry, Topsy."
"I ain't cryin'—it's jes' my weak eyes."
"Topsy, won't you be good? I don't think I'll be with you long."
"Oh, Missy Eva, please—please don't say dat!"
"I'll try to be good, Missy Eva."
"Please, Miss Feely, I jes' wanted to make myself white—so I could be good like Missy Eva."
But the light that touched the St. Clare home like a benediction, had slowly faded—
Singer
)Singer
"I—I brung her a flower—"
"—such a pretty one—"
"Oh, Missy Eva—I wish I wuz dead, too."
"She said—she loved me."
"Now, there ain't nobody to love me, no mo'."
"I—I will love you, Topsy."
Augustine St. Clare did not long survive his daughter—and his entire estate came under the auctioneer's hammer.
Sale! Sale! Sale!
St. Clare Estate of Negroes
G. M. Beard, Auctioneer
Will be sold on Friday the 18th inst., 50 of as likely negroes as have ever been exposed to public sale, belonging to the estate of August St. Clare, deceased, of New Orleans. The Negroes have been indulgently cared for and persons wishing to supply themselves will never have a better opportunity. This estate consists in part the following chattels; Tom, a first class coachman; Adolph, the personal servant of the late August St. Clare; Dinah, head cook of the St. Clare household;--- 5 Negro women, assistant cooks, namely Mary, Charlotte, Grace, Frances, Susan;---- 5 Negro Butlers, John, Ed, George, Sam, Charles; all well trained to the niceties of house management;--- 2 Negro Coach-
Beard, Calhoun & Co.
Simon Legree, who had come from the North, bore an evil reputation for cruelty to his slaves.
"Sold—to Simon Legree."
Great sale!
Clare Estate Negroes
"Fifteen hundred dollars!"
"Sold—to Simon Legree."
Across two states—George Harris, ever on the trail of Lemuel Proctor, the buyer of little Harry.
"Is there a man named Proctor living in this town?"
Simon Legree's plantation.
"I wouldn't hurt you, Honey—I wouldn't hurt anything."
Cassy—for twenty years enslaved to Legree—her life saddened by memories of the baby that had been torn from her breast, long ago.
"Jealous, eh—Cassy?"
"You flatter yourself, Simon."
"What do you mean—comin' in here when I'm busy?"
"—nobody is going to rob me of my place in this household!"
"I've got a good mind to send you to the slave quarters—where you belong!"
"You don't dare! You're afraid of me."
Sambo and Quimbo—darkened souls in brutalized bodies.
"Dis nigger's been makin' trubble 'mong de hands—preachin' an' a-prayin'!"
"I'll do all the prayin' around here!"
"Whip her!"
"No, Massa—I can't do it, nohow."
"Didn't I pay twelve hundred dollars for you—ain't you mine, body and soul?"
"No, Massa! My body may belong to you, but my soul belongs to God."
"Give him the worst floggin' he ever had!"
And the marching feet of the liberating host thundered nearer—ever nearer—
Terror spread before them—
Marchers
And the song they sang was a new song of bondage broken and chains forever lifted—
While Legree, brute ruler of his realm, only ten miles distant from the flood of blue, held high carnival—
Marchers
"You am a ministerin' angel, Missy—"
"Don't call me Missy—I'm a slave, too—he owns me body and soul."
"Oh, Missy—don't be so bitter."
"Bitter? They kept me ignorant of my heritage of blood, while I learned to be a lady—a white lady."
"Then they sold my baby to a man named Shelby, and they sold me—down the river."
"And all these weary years, that baby's voice has been calling, Mama—Mama!"
"Why, Missy—that's "Liza's story.""
"Eliza?"
"Massa Shelby was my Massa, too. But we wuz sold down de river—Legree bought us both—"
"That means my child Eliza—is here!"
"You will steal my man, will you?"
"Make 'em jealous—that's the way!"
"Lord God Almighty, child—I'm your mother!"
"They tore you from my arms to sell you up the river, and me—to hell!"
"Mother!"
"My baby!"
"He thinks the ghosts of his murdered victims haunt the attic. We'll be safe there!"
"Where are them women?"
"I can't say, Massa."
Over dusty roads they spread, ever closer to the Legree plantation.
"Bring Tom here. I'll find out where they are!"
"Massa—it's dem ghosts in the attic ag'in!"
"Tom, I've made up my mind to kill you—"
"—unless you tell me where them women are!"
"We'll make him tell!"
"They're beating Uncle Tom—"
"He's done fo', Massa!"
"Take him out!"
)Singer
"I forgive you—as I hope to be forgiven."
"Sambo! Quimbo!"
"He's in the attic! Drive him out!"
"Well—if here ain't our two ghosts!"
"See the Captain——up front."
The End
Re-released by
Realart Pictures, Inc.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.
Copyright law abroad tends to consider the following people authors of a film:
- The principal director
- The screenwriter, and/or other writers of dialogue
- The composer/lyricist (if the film is accompanied by sound)
- The cinematographer
- By extension, the authors of any works that may serve as the basis for a film's plot
The longest-living of these authors died in 1952, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 72 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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