''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a 1908

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

directed by D. W. Griffith and produced by the

American Mutoscope and Biograph Company The Biograph Company, also known as the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, was a motion picture company founded in 1895 and active until 1916. It was the first company in the United States devoted entirely to film production and exhibition ...

of New York City. The 17-minute short, which is based on the play of the same name by English playwright

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

, was filmed in just two daysOctober 1 and 7, 1908at Biograph's studio in Manhattan and on location in nearby Coytesville, a borough of

Fort Lee, New Jersey Fort Lee is a borough at the eastern border of Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, situated along the Hudson River atop the Palisades. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the borough's population was 40,191. As of the 2010 U.S. census, t ...

. The

blurb A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dust jacket of a book, and are now also fou ...

for the film stated, "if we could see ourselves as others see us what models we would become."Quoted in Robert Hamilton Ball, ''Shakespeare on Silent Film: A Strange Eventful History'' (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1968), 63

Cast (in credits order)

* Florence Lawrence ... Katharina * Arthur V. Johnson ... Petruchio * Linda Arvidson ... Bianca *

Harry Solter Henry Lewis "Harry" Solter (November 19, 1873 – March 2, 1920) was an American silent film actor, screenwriter and director. Career Solter began his career as an actor in 1908 with Biograph Studios. That same year he met actress Florenc ...

... Katharina's Father The rest of cast listed alphabetically: * Charles Avery ... Music Teacher * William J. Butler *

Gene Gauntier Gene Gauntier (born Genevieve Gauntier Liggett, August 26, 1885 – December 18, 1966) was an American screenwriter and actress who was one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry. A writer, director, and actress in films from mid 190 ...

... Wedding Party *

George Gebhardt George Gebhardt (September 21, 1879 – May 2, 1919) was an American silent film actor. He appeared in more than 120 films between 1908 and 1922. He was born in Basel, Switzerland and died in Edendale, Los Angeles from tuberculosis. Selecte ...

... One of Bianca's Suitors * Guy Hedlund * Charles Inslee ... One of Bianca's Suitors *

Wilfred Lucas Wilfred Van Norman Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter. Early life Lucas was born in Norfolk County, Ontario on January 30, 1871,US ...

Jeanie MacPherson Abbie Jean MacPherson (May 18, 1886 – August 26, 1946) was an American silent actress, writer, and director. MacPherson worked as a theater and film actress before becoming a screenwriter for Cecil B. DeMille. She was a pioneer for women in th ...

... Wedding Party * Charles Moler *

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American film actor, director, and producer, and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'. Born in Danville, Quebec, in 1880, he started in films in the ...

... Petruchio's Servant

References

External links

* 1908 films 1908 comedy films American silent short films American black-and-white films Films based on The Taming of the Shrew Films directed by D. W. Griffith Films shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey Silent American comedy films 1908 short films Articles containing video clips American comedy short films 1900s American films 1900s English-language films {{1900s-short-comedy-film-stub

Cast (in credits order)

See also

References

External links