Very rare! From the Southern California estate sale of a silent film collector! Very hard to find original silent film movie theater herald for THE SECRET GAME.
"A great mystery story. One of the creepy feeling, grip your seat type, a photoplay of patriotism, love, intrigue and conflicting emotions in which the honor of a nation is at stake. The theme of "The Secret Game" is up-to-date. It deals with the American Japanese situation in a new and unexpected manner. The two great countries work side-by-side, in full accord, to foil the plots and and ambitions of their common enemy, Germany. The United States is secretly transporting troops to surprise the Germans on the Russian front. The Germans have learned of this activity through a leak. The American intelligence office has succeeded in tracing the leak to the office of a certain major whose character they believe to be beyond reproach. The services of the celebrated Japanese detective, Nara-Nara, are enlisted. By a cleverly laid ruse, Nara-Nara discovers, traps, and kills the leader of the German plotters, only to find that the girl he loves is a link in the great spy system. It is a gripping dramatic story with a real plot, one of the strongest ever conceived by the famous Paramount scenario writer, Marion Fairfax. Believing that this photoplay would do much to strengthen the friendship between Japan, his native land, and America, his adopted home, Sessue Hayakawa put his best into its production. It will probably rank among the first of Hayakawa's many notable photoplays."
The Secret Game is a surviving 1917 American silent drama film produced by Jesse Lasky and released through Paramount Pictures. It was directed by William C. deMille and starred SESSUE HAYAKAWA. It survives complete at the Library of Congress and was released on DVD.
As described in a film magazine, Kitty Little (Vidor), a German spy under the direction of Dr. Ebell Smith (Ogle), is employed by Major John Northfield (Holt). The spies are anxious to obtain information on the sailing dates of transport ships. Nara-Nara (Hayakawa), a clever Japanese spy, is on the trail of the German spies and suspects Northfield of dishonesty. However, a letter makes him suspect Kitty, whom he has grown to love. Northfield, who also loves Kitty and also suspects her, as a test gives her a blank letter which he tells her to mail as it contains transport sailing dates. Kitty takes the letter to Smith. Nara-Nara follows and in a struggle kills Smith. He then endeavors to force Kitty to go away with him, but she reminds him of his ambition to keep his sword clean and he leaves her. While going to examine the body of Smith, Nara-Nara is killed by one of Smith's accomplices. Northfield comes to Kitty, who is in receipt of a letter from her brother in the German trenches that states he is to be shot for shielding women and children. Kitty becomes a true American and the fiance of Northfield.
Sessue Hayakawa as Nara-Nara
Jack Holt as Major John Northfield
Florence Vidor as Kitty Little
Mayme Kelso as Miss Loring
Raymond Hatton as 'Mrs. Harris'
Charles Ogle as Dr. Ebell Smith
This herald was from The Butler Theater in Tonopah, Nevada. When opened up completely it’s 8.5 x 11 inches. Used condition, tears, wear, the center fold line is about halfway separated. Please examine the images closely and ask any questions before purchasing. Shipped flat, solid and secure. Inventory# silentfilmcollection.