|
Cymbeline (1913)
Character: Iachimo
Southern California locations vividly suggest both elemental pre-Roman Britain and classical Rome. An energetic cinematic pacing and intimacy show rapidly improving narrative technique and realism well beyond the limitations of the stage. Especially cinematic are the bedchamber scene in the first reel, with its intimate cinematography and acting and special lighting effect, and the battle scene of the second reel, considered very effective in its day.
|
|
|
|
Cymbeline (1913)
Character: King Cymbeline
Southern California locations vividly suggest both elemental pre-Roman Britain and classical Rome. An energetic cinematic pacing and intimacy show rapidly improving narrative technique and realism well beyond the limitations of the stage. Especially cinematic are the bedchamber scene in the first reel, with its intimate cinematography and acting and special lighting effect, and the battle scene of the second reel, considered very effective in its day.
|
|
|
|
|
The Wolf of Debt (1915)
Character: Bruce Marsden
Bruce Marsden, a former millionaire fallen on bad times, marries Helen Stanhope against her mother's wishes. The ambitious Mrs. Stanhope encourages Anthony Stuart, a rich broker and rejected suitor of her daughter, to win Helen away from Marsden, and Stuart consequently hires Marsden to work in his firm. As Marsden works, Stuart lavishes his attentions on Helen, who sternly rejects all his advances. Undaunted, Stuart sends Marsden away on a business trip and invites Helen to attend an elegant reception.
|
|
|
|
The Green-Eyed Devil (1914)
Character: N/A
Jim Miller lives in a cheap tenement with his wife and his sister. They had been in a better position in other days, but Jim has developed into a morose half-drunken character, suspicious and high-tempered. The sister leaves her own husband and comes to live with Jim. However, she is jealous of her sister-in-law and goes out of her way to be mean to her, and to poison Jim's mind against the weak, pretty thing who is his wife. One day Jim gets out of a job and while he is out looking for work and the sister is away at her work in the factory, Mary, the wife, steals out determined to add to the common share, while her husband is in hard luck. She finds work painting clay figures, an art for which she shows some talent. But she is afraid of Jim's wildness and as soon as she collects money she secrets it for a rainy day. One day after she has worked hard and hoarded some money, the sister comes in unexpectedly upon her, and when Mary goes out of the room finds the money in an old vase.
|
|
|
|
The Hunchback (1914)
Character: Tom Carson - a Young Prospector
"The Hunchback" earns a scanty living as a tinker, traveling from house to house, but on account of his deformity, there is no one who cares for him. Although a great lover of children, they flee at his approach. Taking pity on a little girl whose doll has been broken, he spends all his earnings to replace her plaything, and in consequence, the people with whom he boards, order him out. Tired and despairing, he gets, unobserved, into a freight car, and is carried to a western mining town. There the wanderer finds friends in a miner and his little girl. An accident renders the little girl fatherless, and the hunchback brings the child to womanhood. As the years pass the cripple grows to care for his ward, but when he tells her of his love, he finds that it is not returned. The girl falls in love with a young prospector, and the jealous hunchback seeks to take his life, and then weakens in his resolve. Later the prospector is in deadly danger and the hunchback decides to let him die.
|
|
|
Ruy Blas (1914)
Character: Ruy Blas
Ruy Blas, a commoner disguised as a nobleman, falls in love with the Queen, Maria de Neubourg, after being manipulated by Don Salluste, a banished prime minister seeking revenge.
|
|
|
Her Moment (1918)
Character: Jan Drakachu
In their small village, Romanian peasant girl Katinka Veche falls in love with the studious Jan Drakachu. Jan wins a scholarship to an American university eventually becoming a successful engineer. Unbeknownst to him, Katinka, whom he had to leave behind in the village, is sold into slavery by her cruel, dissolute father. Her owner, Victor Dravich, beats her into submission forcing her to become his mistress in his Syrian gambling den. When the house is raided, Dravich takes her on his travels around the world until they finally settle in a small Arizona mining camp. Broken, she sees Jan but is too ashamed to speak to him sending instead for her old tutor Boris. Upon arrival Boris kills Dravich but is shot by the sheriff. Katinka, now free, follows Jan to New York. After further travail the pair are finally reunited.
|
|
|
The Lady from the Sea (1911)
Character: N/A
Ellida was the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, and spent many hours near the water's edge. While she was still scarcely more than a child, one of these ships put in for repairs at a fishing village near the lighthouse, and its second officer, while on a day's outing to kill time, visited the lighthouse. He there met Ellida, whose youth and beauty he admired. While his ship was still undergoing repairs, the second officer quarreled with his captain, and a fight ensued in which the captain was killed. The guilty man escaped from the ship, and making his way to the lighthouse, forced Ellida to assist in his flight.
|
|
|
|
The Railroad Builder (1911)
Character: N/A
The construction of a new railroad, designed to bring prosperity to a section of the country, brings sorrow to one home. An aged invalid finds that his home must give way to progress, as the line is designed to cut through his homestead, which has been in his family for generations. He fights, of course, but the property is condemned and a legal battle ends in defeat
|
|
|
Put Yourself in His Place (1912)
Character: Henry Little
The story concerns the love of Henry Little for Grace Carden and its reciprocal sentiment, with the time-honored interference of those who attempt to arrange the affairs of Cupid to suit social exigencies.
|
|
|
|
The Caged Bird (1913)
Character: The Prince
The beautiful young princess was weary of the formality and ceremony that encompassed her. She had read many books and from them had gained the idea that she would be far happier as a simple peasant than as the daughter of a king. Even when it came to her marriage, she sadly reflected, there was no romance, for her father had arbitrarily contracted an alliance for her with a neighboring prince. The princess was taking her drive one day and was sadder than ever. She saw a wedding procession issue from a neighboring cottage, and pityingly watched the mother of the bride, as she turned into her lonely house. In a field the princess noticed a young farmer, and she thought that the romance which had been denied her might come into her life. By the time she had returned to the castle she was pitying herself exceedingly, and had decided to be a caged bird no longer.
|
|
|
|
Driven by Fate (1915)
Character: Billy Evans
When fate intervenes to prevent a pair of desperate young people from suicide they realize their love for each other and forge ahead together to rebuild their lives.
|
|
|
|
Copper (1915)
Character: Bill
Two prosperous young brokers, Bill and Bert, compete for the affections of Florence. Bert's stenographer, Violet, who supports her mother, also plays a role in the story. The plot involves themes of competition, love, and possibly social dynamics between the characters.
|
|
|
Sweet and Low (1914)
Character: Bryan Kyam
A lonely, unhappy old man strives to reconnect with his family. Based on the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
|
|
|
|
Told in the Future (1913)
Character: Robert Kenneth
A young man, pressured by his father to choose a wealthy bride over his true love, dreams of marrying the rich girl. The dream vividly depicts the unhappiness and financial ruin that follow. Upon awakening, he resolves to marry the girl he loves. His father, seeing the dream's truth, relents, and the young man marries his beloved, leading to a happy ending.
|
|
|
A Magdalene of the Hills (1917)
Character: Eric Southward
Herbert Grayson has timber holdings in a Southern state. One of his mills is burned, and he accuses Len Mathis, a young mountaineer. In trying to avoid arrest Len is killed, and old John Mathis, his father, swears to shoot Grayson or any member of his family on sight. His young daughter, Renie, makes the same vow. Grayson is anxious to gain control of lands owned by Mathis, Grayson's nephew, Eric Southard, volunteers to effect the purchase.
|
|
|
|
Baseball and Bloomers (1911)
Character: N/A
Miss Street's Seminary for young girls has a very ambitious class of pupils. The young athletes, not content with basketball and tennis, aspire to shine in the great American game, and organize a baseball club. They are so satisfied with themselves that they finally send a challenge to Adair College, which has a crowd of husky young athletes and a club that thinks it amounts to something.
|
|
|
|
The Lady Killer (1913)
Character: N/A
Adolph is a great pianist who prefers the simple pleasures such as frankfurters and sauerkraut but is so constantly pursued by society women that he gets no peace and comfort. After being chased everywhere in the end he escapes by donning a disguise and finally finding peace and quiet.
|
|
|
The Evidence of the Film (1913)
Character: The Broker
A messenger boy is wrongfully accused of stealing bonds worth $20,000. Luckily, a film crew is shooting a moving picture on the same street. The boy's accuser has the police convinced, until...
|
|
|
|
Lord John in New York (1915)
Character: N/A
Lord John, a detective novelist and the Marquis of Haslemere's brother, receives word that the stage adaption of one of his stories will not be performed because Roger Odell, a millionaire, has spoken against him. After tracking him down, Lord John joins his foe on an ocean steamer along with Grace Callender, an heiress, and Dr. Rameses, a hypnotist and Egyptian cultist. While the evil Dr. Rameses tries to steal a gold-filled mummy from Maida, Odell's adopted sister, Lord John confronts Odell, who reveals that his anger stems from a disservice that the Marquis once committed against Maida.
|
|
|
|
A Bargain with Chance (1915)
Character: Lord John Hasle
First movie in the Lord John's Journal series. Detective novel author and war hero Lord John solves a mystery.
|
|
|
|
The Honeymooners (1911)
Character: The Groom
A celebrated man who was married five times said on one occasion, "The most trying thing about getting married is the fool tricks one's fool friends play." And he knew what he was talking about.
|
|
|
The Coffin Ship (1911)
Character: Captain
A love story filmed in Long Island Sound with a stowaway and a shipwreck.
|
|
|
|
The Woman Who Did Not Care (1913)
Character: A Suitor
A girl, beautiful but heartless and ambitious, was the daughter of a poor miner and was devotedly loved by a man in her own station of life. She accepted his attentions willingly until a young engineer came along and paid court to her. She then dismissed her first suitor. Her father made a lucky strike, and they moved to the city to enjoy their wealth. This sealed the fate of the second suitor for a rich man became smitten with the girl and she accepted his advances. Perhaps she would have married him in time had it not been that she aroused the enmity of an old witch, deeply skilled in magic.
|
|
|
|
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1911)
Character: N/A
According to the tale found in the ancient annals, the little town of Hamelin, in Hanover, found itself, five hundred years ago overrun with rats. The citizens tried every way to abate the plague, but without result. Finally a mysterious stranger appeared in the town and offered for the sum of 1000 guilders to clear the place of vermin.
|
|
|
|
Lorna Doone (1911)
Character: N/A
Lorna Dugal, the little daughter of an English nobleman, is carried off by her father's enemies, the Doones, when she is five years old. Sire Ensor Doone had been banished from court, and he and his family had established themselves in a well-protected valley, becoming outlaws and highwaymen.
|
|
|
The Buddhist Priestess (1911)
Character: The Naval Officer
A young missionary, filled with religious fervor, joyfully accepts the post to carry the gospel to a section of Japan, where white men are not known. His wife and little daughter go with him, and he starts for his station with native guides and bearers.
|
|
|
Lucile (1912)
Character: Richard
A royal love triangle leads to heartbreak for all until 25 years hence all is made right for their descendants.
|
|
|
|
Her Fireman (1913)
Character: Tim, the Fireman
A kind hearted actress who befriended a poor little waif of the street, soon grew to love the child. When she went on the road she found him a home with her old nurse. She realized how much the child meant to her when he was crippled in an accident, for as soon as she heard the news she gave up her position and hurried to his side.
|
|
|
|
For Her Boy's Sake (1913)
Character: The Son
The son of a poor widow fell in love with a heartless showgirl who spurned the simple gifts he gave her. In a moment of desperation he tried to rob the box office of the theater in which he was employed as a stage hand, but was detected by the night watchman who shot and wounded him mortally. Before he expired he wrote a letter to his mother saying, "Many a man is tempted to sin for the woman he loves." The widow in order to maintain herself, obtained work as a scrub woman in an office building where she became acquainted with a prepossessing young clerk who wife she learned was dangerously ill and was told by the physician to go to Arizona.
|
|
|
|
The Smuggler (1911)
Character: The Smuggler
An old man has an ingenious plan to circumvent the customs officials and for a time it works like a charm.
|
|
|
Wives and Other Wives (1918)
Character: Norman Craig
Assuming the worst Geoffrey Challoner impulsively storms out of the house when he sees his new wife Robin reading old love letters. In his absence, Norman Craig, planning with his wife to lease an upstairs apartment owned by Judge Corcoran, wanders into the Challoners' apartment. Robin, mistaking him for a burglar, shoots him and then runs for a doctor. Returning, Geoffrey again rashly makes assumptions and immediately files for divorce. Mrs. Craig and Norman, who had merely fainted, are invited to Judge Corcoran's weekend home along with the Challoners, whom the judge hopes to reunite. Following a bewildering series of misadventures, including an attempted robbery by the maid and the chauffeur, Geoffrey learns that the love letters were his own, and the young couple are reconciled.
|
|
|
|
Motoring (1911)
Character: The Young Millionaire
A young millionaire, whose hobby is mechanics, takes his newly overhauled car out for a trial spin, and he would have laughed had anybody told him that it was to be the most eventful trip of his life.
|
|
|
|
|
An Elevator Romance (1911)
Character: N/A
A wealthy, hustling young westerner comes east, and immediately calls up his boyhood chum, now a staid businessman in a New York skyscraper. The westerner is charmed by the sweet voice of the telephone girl who answers his call from the office switchboard, and determines to make her acquaintance. In fact, one of the first things he does after reaching his friend's office is to make inquiries, and he is made happy by an introduction. He soon finds that while the voice is charming, the girl's appearance and manner are much more so. But the girl, being modest and retiring does not approve of such an informal acquaintance. She practically snubs the westerner, and he sees that he has made little progress in his suit. And time is valuable for he soon must go back to his home, and he has already decided that he will take a bride with him. Love finds a way, as it usually does.
|
|
|
Jess (1912)
Character: The Lawyer
Silas Croft was a kindly old Englishman who had a farm in South Africa. With him resided his two nieces, whom he had taken from their drunken, worthless father when they were of a tender age. Jess, the elder, was brilliant and educated; Bess, the younger was beautiful, but frankly admitted that she did not possess the mental attainments of Jess. The two were great friends, and Jess, although the senior by only three years, had almost a motherly affection for her pretty little sister. Croft, finding old age stealing upon him, advertised for a partner, stipulating that he must be a gentleman. Probably it was his secret idea that the right man might come along, and fall in love with his favorite, beautiful Bessie.
|
|
|
The Mummy (1911)
Character: Jack
An electric current accidentally brings a female mummy back to life with decidedly romantic inclinations, much to the surprise of a young Egyptologist and his less than understanding fiancée. This film is presumed lost.
|
|
|
|
A Six Cylinder Elopement (1912)
Character: John Henderson, Gray's Daughter's Sweetheart
The old man had political ambitions and a beautiful daughter. He uttered no protest when a bright young lawyer captured the latter, but when the same individual landed the congressional nomination upon which the elder had confidently counted, there was trouble. Enraged at his defeat, the old man summarily broke the engagement and sent his daughter back to a boarding school.
|
|
|
The Cowboy Millionaire (1909)
Character: N/A
Bud Noble, a handsome specimen of manhood, is foreman on the Circle "D" ranch outside of Circle City, Idaho, and our opening scene pictures Bud as the cowboy roping and tying a steer. With its bucking bronchos, pitching mustangs, bucking steers, and the biggest novelty ever, the acme of all thrillers, "see Bud bulldog a steer." Only three men have successfully accomplished this feat and lived to tell about it. Then Bud receives a shock. The local operator appears with a telegram. "Your Uncle John dead. You are sole heir to his estate valued at several millions. Come to Chicago at once." The astounded cowboys tumble over with sheer amazement. Bud buys and the scene closes with a characteristic rush for the bar.
|
|
|
The Little Brother (1917)
Character: Franak Girard
Jerry Ross dresses as a boy and sells newspapers to make money on the street corner. As the result of a chance meeting with Frank Girard, who is interested in the "Big Brother Movement," Jerry is invited to Girard's farm in the country. Later she is sent to a coeducational institution where she assumes the dress and manners of a girl once more.
|
|
|
The Vicar of Wakefield (1910)
Character: N/A
Edwin Thanhouser re-made The Vicar of Wakefield in 1917 as a eight-reel feature film providing us with a frame of reference for the maturation of film language and cinematic techniques over the ensuing eight year period.
|
|
|
Carmen (1913)
Character: Don José
A three-reel version of the famous stage production. Don Jose, the hero of the famous book by Prosper Merimee, and Bizet's celebrated opera, was born in the Basque Provinces of Spain. He was a young, good-looking peasant, devoted to his old mother, and greatly in love with his pretty sweetheart, Mercedes. The plans of Jose and Mercedes for an early marriage were rudely dissipated by the news that the young man had been drafted for service in the Spanish army. Jose comforted his mother and Mercedes, telling them that he would soon return and they would never be separated again.
|
|
|
|
|
David Copperfield (1911)
Character: N/A
Thanhouser Company three-reel silent film based on Charles Dickens’s story of an English lad's tribulation-filled journey to adulthood, Thanhouser released the three films over the course of three weeks beginning on October 17, 1911, one 1,000 foot reel per week.
|
|
|
Petticoat Camp (1912)
Character: N/A
Several married couples go on a camp-out together, but the women soon realize that the men expect them to do all the dirty work.
|
|
|
The Colonel and the King (1911)
Character: N/A
Upon the death of his grandfather, little George IV of Saxony ascend the throne at the age of seven. His reign, however, is a short one, as a usurper, backed by a number of native soldiers, attacks the palace, imprisons the boy king and seizes the reins of government.
|
|
|
Get Rich Quick (1911)
Character: The husband
An investment plan that tells potential investors they can "get rich quickly" turns out to be a swindle, and investors are in danger of losing all their money.
|
|
|
The Pasha's Daughter (1911)
Character: Jack Stevens
An American in Turkey is mistakenly arrested and thrown in jail. He escapes and is helped by the daughter of the local ruler, called the Pasha.
|
|
|
The Little Girl Next Door (1912)
Character: The Husband
Helen Randall and Ruth Foster were little tots. The two children lived side by side on one of the fashionable streets in New York City. One day Helen and her parents were starting for the park when the little one suggested that they invite Ruth to go with them. The idea pleased them all, and as to Ruth, she was in an ecstasy of delight. She skipped down the steps into the Randalls' automobile, and her father (a widower), watching her as the machine whizzed off, realized more than ever the little treasure he possessed.
|
|
