The Spy

Billed as “a dramatic subject,” Vitagraph’s The Spy undoubtedly satisfied the dime-novel devotees of the era. The title character is ordered to cross enemy lines, knowing full well that the enemy will shoot him on sight. As a subterfuge, the hero dons the clothing of his sweetheart, while she assumes male guise. Evidently, the spy completes his mission to everyone’s satisfaction; the ending was a bit vague, never letting the viewer know precisely the outcome. It’s worth noting that even in 1907, films of this nature were criticized as unbelievable by the more knowledgeable print reviewers.