The Invention of the Film Series

The Hazards of Helen: The Escape on the Fast Freight
R: Paul Hurst. B: Edward T. Matlack. D: Helen Holmes, Leo D. Maloney, J. Gunnis Davis. P: Kalem Company. USA 1915
The Hazards of Helen No 13

“A total of 119 weekly one reel films were produced by Kalem, showing just how popular this serial was in 1914-1917. The first 48 films starred Helen Holmes, the remaining 71 starred Helen Gibson. They both played heroines that were independent and adventurous, resolving dangerous situations with quick thinking. Their acting was very physical and they performed their often very dangerous stunts. It is believed to be the longest film series in the silent era and one of the longest ever.”
Silent Hall of Fame

The Hazards of Helen: The Wild Engine
R: J.P. McGowan. B: Edward T. Matlack. D: Helen Holmes, Leo D. Maloney, Rex Downs. P: Kalem Company. USA 1915
The Hazards of Helen No 26

The Hazards of Helen: In Danger’s Path
R: J.P. McGowan. B: Edward T. Matlack. D: Helen Holmes, Leo D. Maloney, M.J. Murchison, J. Gunnis Davis, Hoot Gibson. P: Kalem Company. USA 1915
The Hazards of Helen No 33

The Hazards of Helen: The Wrong Train Order
R: J. Gunnis Davis. B: Edward T. Matlack. D: Helen Gibson, Robyn Adair, Clarence Burton. P: Kalem Company. USA 1915
The Hazards of Helen No 58

“In this episode everything goes wrong. Helen ends up on the rear observation deck of a runaway express train with the door to the inside closed, with the air-brake of the engine damaged, the engine itself full of steam and inaccessible, and the train speeding ahead on the wrong track.”
Silent Hall of Fame

The Hazards of Helen: The Governor’s Special (not complete)
R: J. Gunnis Davis. B: Edward T. Matlack. D: Helen Gibson, Scott Pembroke, True Boardman, George A. Williams, Roy Watson. P: Kalem Company. USA 1916
The Hazards of Helen No 76

“In this episode Helen Gibson performs one absolutely breathtaking stunt, which just shows how dangerous it was to act for silent film pioneers, especially for stuntmen and stuntwomen. There is a twist to the plot, and Helen Gibson not only has to save her governor from mortal danger, but also the life of somebody close to her, who has been sentenced to die without guilt.”
Silent Hall of Fame

>>> The Perils of Pauline