"The Escape on the Fast Freight" is a short action film from a serial by the name of "The Hazards of Helen", featuring Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame. This is episode 13 from a total of 119 weekly one reel films produced by Kalem, showing just how popular this serial was in 1914-1917. The first 48 films starred Helen Holmes, the remaining 71 starred Helen Gibson. They both played heroines that were independent and adventurous, resolving dangerous situations with quick thinking. Their acting was very physical and they performed their often very dangerous stunts.

"The Wild Engine" is a short action film from a serial by the name of "The Hazards of Helen", featuring Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame. This is episode 26 from a total of 119 weekly one reel films produced by Kalem, showing just how popular this serial was in 1914-1917. The first 48 films starred Helen Holmes, the remaining 71 starred Helen Gibson. They both played heroines that were independent and adventurous, resolving dangerous situations with quick thinking. Their acting was very physical and they performed their often very dangerous stunts.

The film is included in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

The film is included in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

The film is included in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

"Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life" is a short comedy directed by Mack Sennett.  The film is included in our program to illustrate the contributions of Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

Barney Oldfield was the fastest auto racer in his time.  In the film he chases an engine to rescue a girl chained to the tracks by an evil unsuccessful suitor. 

The way Ford Sterling overplays the role of the villain makes one think that the film was conceived as a parody of contemporary melodramas.