The Raven is a 1915 American silent short drama film produced by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. The picture was directed by Charles Brabin and featured Lon Chaney, Sr. and Elsie Jane Wilson in leading roles. The film’s narrative was loosely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s 1845 poem “The Raven,” though it did not present a direct literary adaptation.
Production and release
The film was shot in 1915 during the early period of Chaney’s career while he was under contract to Universal. It was released as part of Universal’s regular short‑film program in the United States during the summer of 1915. As a silent production, it employed intertitles for dialogue and exposition and was presented with live musical accompaniment in theaters.
Cast
- Lon Chaney, Sr. – (principal male role)
- Elsie Jane Wilson – (principal female role)
Preservation status
No known copies of The Raven have survived; it is classified as a lost film. Consequently, detailed information about its storyline, runtime, and production specifics remains limited.
Reception
Contemporary trade publications listed the film among Universal’s seasonal releases, but no substantial reviews or box‑office figures have been documented.
Notes
Due to the loss of the film and the scarcity of surviving documentation, many aspects of The Raven (1915) remain uncertain, and the available information reflects the extent of currently verifiable historical records.
