Paws of the Bear (1917)
A silent WWI espionage drama in which an American traveler's loyalty and love are tested by war, deception, and stolen secrets.
Paws of the Bear - Movie Information
- Original Title: Paws of the Bear
- Release Year: 1917
- Directed by: Reginald Barker
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 50m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 17, 1917 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: Kay-Bee Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Paws of the Bear - Plot
In Belgium, at the outbreak of the war, Russian agent Olga Raminoff shoots at a German general when the enemy enters town. Ray Bourke, an American traveler, gives her the protection of his name, but nevertheless both are sentenced to death. They are rescued by an allied rescue plane and later, bound for home, Ray meets an old college friend, Curt Schreiber, who is in the service of the German government. Schreiber has important papers to be delivered to Washington and, knowing that he will be searched on board ship, gives them to Ray. Olga beseeches Ray to give the papers up for her sake, but his word to Schreiber is sacred. Nearing America, Ray tells her that he will make an effort to return the papers if she will marry him.
Paws of the Bear - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Reginald Barker
Main Cast
- William Desmond
- Clara Williams
- Robert McKim
- Wallace Worsley
- Charles K. French
Writers
- J.G. Hawks
Paws of the Bear - FAQs
What is Paws of the Bear about?
Paws of the Bear is a 1917 silent film set during World War I. An American traveler in Belgium shields a Russian spy from German forces, then becomes unwittingly entangled in an espionage plot when an old college friend asks him to smuggle secret German government papers into Washington.
Is Paws of the Bear a lost film?
Yes, Paws of the Bear is considered a lost film. Like a significant portion of silent-era productions, no known surviving print has been located. The film's loss is consistent with the widespread deterioration and destruction of nitrate film stock that claimed many early Hollywood titles.
Who directed Paws of the Bear?
Paws of the Bear was directed by Reginald Barker, a prolific Scottish-born filmmaker who worked extensively in Hollywood during the silent era. Barker was known for his work with Triangle Film Corporation and directed numerous features throughout the 1910s and 1920s.
Who are the main actors in Paws of the Bear?
The film stars William Desmond as Ray Bourke, an American traveler, and Clara Williams as Olga Raminoff, a Russian agent. The supporting cast includes Robert McKim as Boris Drakoff, Wallace Worsley as Curt Schrieber, and Charles K. French as Gen. von Mittendorf.
When was Paws of the Bear released?
Paws of the Bear was released on June 17, 1917, in the United States. The film was produced by Kay-Bee Pictures and appeared during a period when World War I-themed dramas were a popular and commercially viable genre in American silent cinema.
What genre is Paws of the Bear?
Paws of the Bear is a Drama and War film. It blends wartime intrigue with romantic tension and espionage, reflecting the popular WWI-era storytelling conventions of early Hollywood, where patriotic themes and moral dilemmas were frequently explored through melodramatic narratives.
How long is Paws of the Bear?
Paws of the Bear has a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. This running time was typical for feature-length productions of the mid-1910s silent era, when films were often shorter than the standard feature length that would become common in later decades.
What are similar movies to Paws of the Bear?
Viewers interested in Paws of the Bear may enjoy other silent-era films such as Kiss or Kill (1918), The Wildcat of Paris (1918), The Honorable Friend (1916), The Weaker Vessel (1919), and Rose-Marie (1928), all of which share similar themes, genres, or production-era characteristics.
More About Paws of the Bear
Explore further details about this 1917 silent film on the following resources.