The story of St. Gabriel, who was killed by an ignorant mob for making a nude statue representing Purity, who is also represented by a ghostly naked girl that flits through the film.
Direction
Lois Weber's fearless feminist vision in 1915.
Cinematography
Double exposure ghost effects that shocked censors.
Writing
Allegory so blunt it circles back to brilliant.
Director
Lois Weber
Myrtle Stedman
The Woman (as Miss Myrtle Stedman)
Courtenay Foote
Gabriel the Ascetic (as Mr. Courtenay Foote)
Herbert Standing
The Abbot (as Mr. Herbert Standing)
Adele Farrington
The Queen (as Miss Adele Farrington)
Alva D. Blake
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Jane Darwell
Madam (uncredited)
Nigel De Brulier
Distraut Man in Church (uncredited)
Margaret Edwards
The Naked Truth (uncredited)
Vera Lewis
Parishioner (uncredited)
George Berrell
A Monk (uncredited)
Marjorie Daw
Teenage Girl (uncredited)
Antrim Short
Teenage Boy (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lois Weber was Universal's highest-paid director in 1916, yet history nearly erased her. This film is why they tried.
The 'Naked Truth' double exposure required Margaret Edwards to be painted white and shot against black velvet—practical magic that made audiences gasp.
US
