EYES OF THE TOTEM

Original British 12 inch x 8 5/8 inch Trade Advertisement from Kinematograph Weekly for the 1927 W.S. Van Dyke Drama EYES OF THE TOTEM, based on a story by W.W. Dickson and starring Wanda Hawley, Tom Santschi, Anne Cornwall, Gareth Hughes, Bert Woodruff and Monte Wax.

Mariam Hardy, young daughter Betty and husband Jim live in a log cabin in the desolate and frozen north, where Jim works their mining claim. Mariam longs for a normal life in the civilized world. Her husband returns one day with cash and the news that he has sold the claim. They board a steamer bound for Tacoma. Upon reaching the city, Jim is murdered and the cash is stolen by a mysterious steely-eyed stranger. Left penniless with a small child to care for, Mariam becomes a beggar. Over the years she becomes a respectable member of society, but she always keeps a watch for the eyes of the murderer. A chance encounter reveals his identity, leading to a violent confrontation.

The film was recently rediscovered in the archives of a museum in New York City in 2014. The film was shot on location in and around the city of Tacoma. Many historic sites in and around Tacoma make an appearance in the film; some buildings which stand no more are seen again, while a number of remaining buildings (i.e. the Winthrop Hotel, Annie Wright School, Thornewood Castle, to name a few) make a fine showing . And of course, Tacoma’s very tall totem pole (now in Fireman’s Park, then in front of the now lost Tacoma Hotel) plays a lead role.

The Advertisement is in very good condition.