THOU SHALT NOT STEAL ('17) Virginia Pearson Silent Film Orig PHOTOGRAPHIC Herald

Description

This is a vintage original 3x4 in. US double-sided photographic herald from the lost teens mystery/detective story/bank robbery-themed silent film drama,
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
, released in 1917 by Paramount Pictures and
directed by William Nigh
. This is a special double-sided herald that was printed specifically for the Alhambra Theater, located at 731 Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles (which no longer exists).
It consists of an actual photograph
that depicts the film's star,
Virginia Pearson
(who is perhaps best remembered today for her role of the opera diva, "Carlotta," in the 1925 Universal classic silent horror film,
The Phantom of the Opera
), as she seems to be the unwanted object of the attention of the various people around her. Descriptive information about the film and the showing is on the verso. It is in fine condition with a 0.25 in. vertical crease on the bottom border; light signs of surface rippling; and signs of surface dirt on the verso that can be removed with an eraser if desired.
Heralds were given out to patrons as they were leaving the theatre to "
herald," or announce, the next film that would be playing at that particular theater (a "coming attraction" advertisement) and they are very collectable. This particular herald is of great interest in that it consists of an actual photograph vs. a printed image as were almost all heralds during the teens through the 1940s.
Thou Shalt Not Steal
is considered a lost silent film, as no prints are known to exist.
Plot:  Mary Bruce (Virginia Pearson) is wooed by Lord Haverford (John Goldsworthy), but loves Roger Benton (Robert Elliott), her father's secretary. To finalize his marriage proposal, Lord Haverford offers her father (Eric Mayne) a large sum of money and, being low on funds, Mr. Bruce accepts it, then places it in a safe. Horrified by her father's actions, Mary steals the cash from the safe that night, but on her way out, is overcome by another thief whose wrist she bites in the ensuing tussle. When the theft is discovered, Mary, Benton, and Mr. Bruce are suspected, but Dr. Steele (Lem F. Kennedy), a detective, convinces Mary that Haverford, or the man who calls himself Haverford, is the actual thief. Steele tells how the phony Haverford attempted to kill the real one, stole his money, assumed his identity, and is now extorting cash from Bruce. With the bitten wrist as proof, Steele exposes the impostor, then reveals himself to be the real Lord Haverford, whose sweetheart has been posing as the Bruces' maid. The mystery resolved, Mary and Benton happily reunite.