The Third Alarm | 1922 | Melodrama

Title: The Third Alarm | 1922 | Melodrama Director: Emory Johnson Studio: Emory Johnson Productions / Film Booking Offices of America Starring: Ralph Lewis, Johnnie Walker, Ella Hall, Virginia True Boardman, Richard Morris, Josephine Adair, Frankie Lee Based on: Original story and screenplay by Emilie Johnson Release Date: December 31 1922 (copyright); January 7 1923 (general release) Runtime: Approximately 70 minutes (7 reels) Format: Silent black and white, English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Melodrama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Dan McDowell and the firehouse 00:10:00 Motorization and Dan’s retirement 00:20:00 Johnny’s enlistment as a fireman 00:30:00 Family hardship and sacrifice 00:40:00 Dan’s struggles and new work 00:50:00 Fire alarm and disaster 01:00:00 Rescue and resolution --- Summary: The Third Alarm is a 1922 American silent melodrama that centers on veteran fireman Dan McDowell, who struggles to adapt when his fire department transitions from horse-drawn apparatus to motorized vehicles. Unable to master the new equipment, Dan is forced into retirement with a small pension while his son Johnny becomes a fireman to support the family. Financial pressures mount and personal sacrifices follow, culminating in a dramatic three-alarm fire that tests the courage and unity of the McDowell family as they confront danger and strive for redemption. --- Background: Directed by Emory Johnson and written by his mother Emilie Johnson, The Third Alarm was one of the director’s early melodramatic features produced under contract with Film Booking Offices of America. The production used real fire department equipment and personnel to depict firefighting life authentically and highlight the heroism of public service workers, reflecting a common theme in Johnson’s work of dramatizing working-class professions. --- Trivia: The Third Alarm was released with promotional support from fire departments, including local exhibitions of historical fire apparatus. The film was one of Johnson’s most financially successful silent features and helped establish his reputation for sentiment-driven melodramas. Prints survive in archives including the UCLA Film and Television Archive, though some versions are incomplete. The movie was also known under the alternate title *The 3rd Alarm*. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: January 7 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Emory Johnson Productions / Film Booking Offices of America Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #TheThirdAlarm1922 #EmoryJohnson #SilentFilm #FirefighterDrama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain