In 1916 the Wharton Studios of Ithaca, NY started filming a very controversial film financed by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. This film, a serial, tried to bring to light an opinion held by Hearst that the U.S. was not ready for a war that was brewing in Europe and that  just might end up in the U.S. via the Japanese and Mexico.

Hearst was convinced that Japan would invade the U.S. through Mexico. He called it the “Yellow Peril.” ‘PATRIA’ was meant to inform and force the government to gear up. This serial brought the Wharton’s under the direct and contrasting light of the Wilson Administration. As a result, Wilson brought great pressure on the new Wharton studio and the Hearst Empire to make the serial  less controversial.

This is an important milestone in film history as film’s power was now realized and being used to shape public opinion. Here’s the article.

Through the streets of Rochester this morning $I00,000,000 will be rushed by agents of the foreign government. The bullion was stored in Ithaca yesterday.  and secret service men say an effort will be made to transport it from the port of Rochester today. The foreign agents, all desperate fellows, are known to have engaged a freighter to accomplish their purpose.

Mrs. Vernon Castle, of dancing fame, is leading the chase to recover the millions. When the freighter steams from it a dock Mrs. Castle will follow in the Sandoval, the training ship of the Naval Militia, whose engines are primed for the event. The authorities expect a hot encounter on Lake Ontario, but are confident the Sandoval will return with the booty.

The $100.00.000 is imaginary bullion that plays an important part in a sensational photoplay serial entitled "Patria." which deals with military preparedness. Mrs. Castle plays the title role. The scenes to be made here today will be the most exciting filmed.

Mrs. Castle arrived in Rochester last night and registered at the Hotel Seneca. She was accompanied by a score of movie actors, who will assist her today. The party is under the direction of Leopold Wharton, of Wharton. Inc, the company producing the photoplay.

After chasing desperate men all the way from Ithaca I'm really too tired to talk to-night," said Mrs. Castle last night as she bundled her pets into an automobile and started for a ride to the lake. "Maybe tomorrow, after your good ship Sandoval captures them for me, I'll tell you some good stories."

According to the play an ancestor of Patria, who was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, left a fortune of $100,000,000 to be used by the United States at a time when its war obliged to prepare against attack of foreign nations. That time arrives when Patria becomes of age. Patria sets out to have the terms of the will fulfilled.

She encounters diplomatic and secret-services representatives of foreign nations who know of the vast sum and its purposes and are striving to obtain it for themselves. The struggle for the money involves thrilling experiences such that make good movie material.

The $100,000.000 was obtained in Ithaca yesterday, at the home studio of Wharton Inc. and brought to Rochester. As cameras don't work in the dark, no effort was made to recover it from the basement of the Seneca last night . It will be recovered this morning. and residents of this city will play a part as the recovery.

About twenty scenes will be photographed here today. The most exciting will be taken when the Sandoval is chasing the freighter. Lieutenant William B. Zimmer and a crew of naval militiamen will man the ship, which in the finished photoplay will appear. The Sandoval's goes with boom and the crew will follow the regular tactics as in battle. The chase through the streets, scenes on the freighter and the operation of speedy launches also will afford excitement.

Mrs. Castle's leading man is Milton Sills, who plays the part of a United States secret service agent in love with Patria. Others in the cast are Dorothy Green, Warner Oland, Wallace Beery, George Majeroni, Marie Walcamp and Jack Holt.  Mr. Wharton will supervise the scenes taken today. He will be assisted by director James Gordon and John Holbrook and Raymond June will operate the cameras.

Wharton, Inc., produced "The Exploits of Elaine" and “The Mysteries of Myra" two popular serials. In the former Pearl White starred. Tonight Mrs. Castle and the party will go to Buffalo, where several more scenes will be taken before the company goes to New York and Newport.

Interesting...