Damon and Pythias

William Worthington is Damon and Herbert Rawlinson is Pythias in this Universal feature. When the Carthaginians invade Agrigentum, Dionysus, the Syracusan dictator sends an army. Because he has a yen for Rawlinson's fiancee, he appoints Rawlinson commander; Rawlinson, however, survives. Back in Syracuse, Dionysus is tired of being a tyrant and tries to become king. This sets off the freedom-loving senators, led by Worthington, who is sentenced to death. Rawlinson offers himself as hostage so Worthington can go say goodbye to his wife; between her weeping, a slave who kills his horse so he can't go back to die, and the horse he steals to go save his friend foundering, will he make it back to save his best bud?

So it's a High Concept film that combines the story of David and Bathsheba, and the assassination of Julius Caesar by someone who has heard of the Bible and of Shakespeare. It's a major production for its 54-minute length. Clearly, Universal was trying to outdo the Italians in epic features, and this was the first feature to come out of Universal City, even before it opened. The sets are immense; the performers wave their arms in high style like they're on stages, and there's even a chariot race. Then four months later, BIRTH OF A NATION premiered and this movie dropped off the map.

It's the only movie in which I've ever seen Frank Lloyd perform; he plays Dionysius. He had already begun his directing career. Other well-known performers include Cleo Marsden, Duke Worme, and Harry Davenport. There are claims that Hal Roach and Lon Chaney play small roles. but they're unconfirmed.