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- An astronomer falls asleep and has a strange dream involving a fairy queen and the Moon.
- An early version of the classic, based more on the 1902 stage musical than on the original novel.
- A complete performance of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO filmed as a stage play with curtains between the five acts: Act I. "The Sailor's Return," Act II. "Twenty Years Later," Act III. "Dantes Starts on His Mission of Vengeance," Act IV. "Dantes as the Count of Monte Cristo," Act V. "Dantes Accuses His Enemies," and "finis" at the end. This is the oldest known film of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. Also, it depicts the oldest known film of the San Diego coast.
- Much to our amazement, an elegant and masterful illusionist detaches his own head effortlessly from his shoulders for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
- The first of many filmed adaptations of Rex Beach's adventure novel of the Alaskan gold-rush.
- Surrounded by a group of children, poet James Whitcomb Riley narrates the story of Little Orphant Annie, who loses her mother at an early age and is sent to an orphanage. Annie charms the other children with her stories of goblins and elves until her uncle comes to claim her. He and her aunt force Annie into a life of drudgery, treating her so cruelly that Big Dave, a neighboring farmer, takes her from them and places her in the charge of the kindly Squire Goode and his wife. Big Dave, who intends to marry Annie, is called away to fight in World War I. When Annie hears the news that he has been killed, she pretends to be gravely ill but wakes up to learn that it has all been a dream.
- A picture dramatization from Sir Ed Burne-Jones' famous painting, with suggestions from that world famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, each conceded a peer in the literary and world of art. This great subject handles deftly the realms of the imaginary inner circle of society. (Even as you and I) A fool there was and he made his prayer, To a rag and a bone and a hank of hair (We called her the woman who did not care) But the fool called her his lady fair (Even as you and I). Guy Temple, as "the fool there was" marries his brother's ward, his boyhood sweetheart, Emily. The young husband becomes ensnared in the toils of the Vampire (a destroyer of souls). Clandestine meetings are arranged and the cunning, unscrupulous, satanic actions of the Vampire compels the poor weakling, Temple, to falter and fall before her charms. John Temple, the other brother, determines to save the young husband when he discovers his perfidy, and to recover the jewels given the Vampire by Guy. In a dream he remembers where he had seen Loie before. She it was who had ruined the life of Emily's father and rendered the then slip of a girl an orphan. Seeking out the brother, John Temple told him Loie was a Vampire, that she had ruined his own wife's father and to quit her under threat of his life. He offers Loie a large sum of money to leave America. But her promise is soon forgotten; her direful work continues, the tightening strands on wrecking souls of mortals. The fool was stripped to his foolish hide (Even as you and I). Which she might have seen when she threw him aside (But it isn't on record the lady tried) So some of him lived but the most of him died (Even as you and I). The young husband's mind is rent; his honor gone and the yawning abyss of the great beyond seeks its own.
- Satan appears in a convent and takes the guise of a priest. Before long he is causing all manner of perturbation and despair.
- Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
- Lost film that adapted L. Frank Baum's books "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "The Marvelous Land of Oz", "Ozma of Oz" and "John Dough and the Cherub". Only the narration script, read by L. Frank Baum himself, and production stills survive.
- The common, but perplexing problem is, what should be the plan for a woman, who, marrying a widower, finds that her husband's love for his first wife is eclipsing his love for her? This is the uncomfortable situation in which Betty finds herself a short time after her marriage to Tom, a jeweler, whose particular jewel is his daughter, Gladys. The young wife grows very fond of the child, and yet, at first, she meets antagonism in this direction, and this begins the primary trial with the husband, who sides with his little daughter. It was this incident that revealed to her that Tom idolized the memory of his first wife still as a living power. Fate seemed to be piling up humiliations for Betty, yet she turned the tide by winning the love of the child and through this means the greater love of her husband. A valuable package has been entrusted to Betty by her husband, but in the absorbing preparations for Gladys' appearance in a masquerade as a fairy, this package becomes mixed with discarded finery. When its loss is discovered, Tom bitterly reproaches Betty for her carelessness, but Gladys, arriving from the party and finding Betty in tears, rallies instantly to her support. Through Gladys, however, the chain of events that carry the package to the furnace room to be burned, is traced, and Betty, at the cost of severe burns to herself, rescues the packet. When Tom learns the true circumstances, he is deeply repentant, and at the end finds that Betty is truly worthy of all of his love and respect.
- A burlesque on the John Rice/May Irwin kiss in "The Kiss" (1896).
- The adventures of two U.S. Secret Service men sent to Africa to bring back a man wanted for murder.
- Tom and Sally are the only survivors when their wagon train is attacked by Swift Wing's braves. Starlight aids in their escape and they join a group of hunters. But there is more trouble when the tribe attacks again.
- "Company F, 1st Ohio Volunteers, initiating a new man. Nineteen times he bounces in the blanket, and each toss is funnier than the last one."
- As is known, Columbus visited nearly every Court in Europe for assistance to carry out his great project. The Selig films introduce him to us in Portugal, where he sought the favor of John II. We see him visit a quaint votive shrine in Portugal accompanied by his son Diego, who is seen leading the lone donkey, which carried their scanty effects. They are on the way to Spain, where the mariner hopes to gain an audience with the good Queen Isabella. We next see the little party at an old mission in Spain, where Columbus stops and explains his plans and theories to the pious fathers. Most of the latter, we can see, are astounded at his views on geography and shake their heads gravely as they ponder. However, he interests Fra Antonio, one of the Queen's confessors, who succeeds in getting him an audience with her Majesty. The meeting takes place in the royal tent on the field of Granada, where at the time, a conflict rages between the royal troops and the Moors. Just as Columbus has won the Queen's ear and he has spread his charts on the table, messengers arrive from the battlefield and announce the surrender of the Moors, putting an end to the interview. Isabella turns Columbus over to the wise men of Salamanca to test his sanity, and one can easily see that they look on him as a mad theorist. But Fra Antonio persuades the Queen to grant Columbus another audience, and we are treated to a splendid Court scene, where Isabella and Ferdinand listen to the great mariner. The Queen offers to sell her jewels to support Columbus on his quest, but she is spared the sacrifice by the generosity of Fernandez, the Court physician, who finances the undertaking. Next we see Columbus made an admiral by King Ferdinand, in presence of the Court, and a great procession of ecclesiastics, a vestal choir, famous dignitaries and other members of the laity as they march past the royal stand. This is one of the most imposing scenes in the three films and forms a fitting close to the first reel. And now the three caravels pass before us in order; first the flagship Santa Maria, next the Pinta and then the Nina. They are first seen anchored in the quiet harbor of Palos, from which they set sail on an epoch-making voyage. We catch a glimpse of Sunday mass on board the Santa Maria as the little vessels plow their ways further into unknown seas. And soon we notice discontent and disaffection among the sailors. The captains of the smaller craft see it and, half in accord with the spirit, try to influence Columbus to turn back to Spain. They visit him again as mutiny flaunts its face, and we see the intrepid Commander quelling the turbulent spirits by his presence and cheering words of hope. Shortly afterwards we see the faces of Columbus and others raised aloft in ecstasy, as the lookout cries, "Land Ho!" "Away to the West," he further cries in answer to the Admiral. And then, with hearts full of thankfulness to the Giver of all Good, we see the worn out sailors join with their Commander in offering thanksgiving. Then a bird is caught in the rigging by a sailor, and every eye is strained to catch a glimpse of the shore from which it has flown. Next we view the fleet at anchor and the landing on the island, on the coast of which a body of natives watches the strange white men from the clouds. The standard of Spain is reared on the new soil on which Columbus had first planted the emblem of the cross. The third reel opens with a magnificent scene showing the welcome extended Columbus and his men at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It is one fully befitting the occasion, and fairly flashes with royal and courtly splendor. In the midst of the great assemblage, where even stoical grandees applaud the success of Columbus, he is knighted by King Ferdinand. A fine interior scene is devoted to the "egg" incident. We see the insulting courtier, who had tried to belittle the feat of Columbus, humbled by the simple problem of standing an egg on end. This scene is artistically posed and is worthy of being ranked with a great painting. The third voyage is undertaken by Columbus and we see him mourning over the destruction of his colony, La Navidad. Insolent and avaricious Spanish nobles had wrought the ruin, and already they had planned the ruin of the Great Discoverer. While he is endeavoring to rebuild the colony and the fortunes of the natives who love him, Francisco de Boabdilla arrives to take him back in chains to Spain. As the arrest is being made the following proclamation is read: "Whereas, one Christoper Columbus, governor of the Antilles, has been found guilty of malfeasance in office and has not accounted for much gold promised the Crown, the Commissioner of the Crown, Boabdilla, will cause his arrest and conduct him to Spain for trial. Ferdinand." We see the natives determined to set Columbus free; but we also see him dissuading them from their purpose. Then our blood boils as we watch them riveting the cruel chains on his ankles, and witness the further shame of Spain as he sails away, bound and alone, in the vessel's hold. The final sub-title in the third reel, "Sic transit Gloria virum," is scarcely fitting in this case. True, the honors heaped on a man by the world may pass away, but the glory of great deeds performed by him for the human race cannot pass away. The glory of Columbus is greater now than ever before. While cheated of his right to have the great continent, discovered by him, named after him, the story of his life is known to all, while one is obliged to refer to an encyclopedia for information about Amerigo.
- Jones is sick and a friend tells him he should go to a sanitarium and recommends Dr. Crow's Retreat. Accordingly Jones bids his wife good-bye and is off for his health, arrives and is received by Dr. Crow who promises great things. He is assured that he is in a very serious condition and must diet and train down, is shown his room, is disguised and writes his wife as follows: "Dr. Crow's Bug House. Dear Wife, This is no place for me; this is a dippy factory. I tried to leave but they won't let me out. I am to diet and train down; I can see my finish now. Farewell, Willie." Watching his chance, he makes his escape. Arriving at the quiet, peaceful home of the Joneses, he writes the Doctor the following touching testimonial: "Dear Dr. Crow, Your institution is a wonderful benefit to mankind. If ever I have an enemy who is seeking health, I will take great pleasure in recommending him to try your nut college. Affectionately, Jones."
- Jan Kruga and his daughter Meta live on a farm in the Transvaal. The nearest neighbor, Sir John Morgan, lives 20 miles away, and it is only on rare intervals that she ever goes even that far away from her isolated home. Toddles, a work elephant on her father's farm, is her only pet and in the first part of our story we see her befriend him from a cruel keeper. Hans, a neighboring Boer farmer calls and asks for Meta's hand in marriage. The girl is ordered by her father to accept Hans' attentions. She has been taught to obey and when Hans gives her a love offering, a huge necklace of beads, she meekly offers her cheek for the betrothal kiss. Sir John's nephew, Hirshal, comes for a visit from England and Sir John brings him for a friendly call on the Krugas. Meta's heart awakens at the sight of the handsome, young Englishman, and she returns Hans's necklace. The father, however, orders her to marry Hans, or never darken his door again. Meta refuses, and is driven away by the heartless, old man. She starts for Sir John's house on foot, is lost in the jungle, and attacked by a leopard. She defends herself with a large hunting knife and though badly lacerated gets away. In this condition she is found by her pet, Toddles, who has taken French leave of the farm after a severe beating. How the half-dead girl is carried back to her home by the elephant, the father's change of heart, and Hans' dismissal we prefer to leave untold.
- A scientist who is married to an amoral woman lives next door to a happily married couple. At first envying their happiness, the scientist eventually falls in love with his neighbor's wife. When her husband goes on a business trip to Africa, the scientist also goes abroad to avoid temptation but finds himself sailing from Cairo aboard the same ship as his neighbor's wife, who is traveling to join her husband. The ship is wrecked when it collides with another vessel, and the two are marooned together at the edge of the jungle, with the woman suffering from amnesia and mistaking the scientist for her husband. About to kill himself to save the honor of his neighbors' marriage, the scientist is saved by the return of the woman's memory and by the subsequent arrival of her husband. Electing to remain in the jungle, the lonely scientist toasts the couple's happiness from afar.
- A magician presents a wreath which in turn transforms into other things.
- When her mother elopes with a lover and her father dies cursing the name of God, Domini Enfilden attempts to forget her pain in Beni Mora, an oasis in the Sahara. At the desert hotel, she meets and falls in love with Boris Androvsky, a tormented man of mystery. Abruptly announcing his departure one day, Boris bids farewell to Domini in the Garden of Allah, but passion overwhelms them, and after making love, they are married by Father Roubier. The two are happy until Capt. De Trevignac, a dinner guest, recognizes Boris as the former Father Antoine, a priest whose irrepressible lust forced him to leave the monastery. De Trevignac says nothing, but after his departure, Boris confesses to Domini, who urges him to return to the monastery. The years pass, and Domini rears her son Boris in the Garden of Allah.
- Dakota Wilson escapes from the Deer Lodge Penitentiary, and, after a period of quietness, secures a position on the Diamond S ranch, owned by Buffalo Watson. Ruth, the daughter of the ranch owner, one day sees Dakota's display of horsemanship, and the admiration thus aroused soon ripens into love, much against the protest of the family. Ruth's love for Dakota is increased by his heroic deed when he rescues her from the malignant attentions of a rushing steer whose anger is aroused by the flowing red handkerchief about her neck. Dakota, who is riding ahead of the cowboys on a round-up expedition, catches sight of the steer heading for Ruth, and, spurring his broncho into a break-neck speed, reaches the side of the steer, leaps upon its hack, and, fastening his muscular arms on the frenzied beast's horns, brings him to the ground. In the midst of the ovation given him by the cowboys, Dakota is nabbed by Sheriff Mathers, who begins to march him back to the Deer Lodge Penitentiary. As the sheriff, his deputies and his captive are riding along a narrow mountain roadway, Dakota makes a daring leap down the precipitous incline, rolling down until he reaches the bottom, where he hides behind a projecting rock. The sheriff, in the meantime, has taken the long way down and follows for a distance, until he discovers the still form of Dakota behind the sheltering rock, and, thinking him dead, rides away. Though free, Dakota is handicapped by the manacles. He manages to steal the gun and horse belonging to a sleeping shepherd, and by holding the gun between his knees, and placing the connecting chain of the manacles in front of the gun, he pulls with his teeth the strap which he has fastened to the trigger of the gun, thereby severing the connecting links. As he starts to ride away he is observed by a distant rifleman, who, by the aid of binoculars, sees the dangling steel wristlets, proving that he is an outlaw. He fires and Dakota tails from his horse with a head wound. But his left foot gets caught in the stirrup and he is dragged for a long distance with bullets flying around him. His foot eventually gets loose and he is left unconscious on the ground. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself again in the hands of the law, and just before he is about to be incarcerated he marries Ruth Watson, who bravely sobs as he is led away: "Good bye, my man, when you come back, I'll be waiting."
- Tom Martin had for some time been out of employment, and, although he had repeatedly applied for his old position as telegraph operator, the fact that he had taken part in a recent labor strike was held as a bar against his re-employment by the company. Now, Tom was a willing worker and only too anxious to do anything to earn a living for himself and his young wife. But the fates seemed against him, and, outside of a few odd jobs he was unsuccessful. To add to his burden and worry, his wife fell ill and was obliged to take to her bed. The few dollars he bad been able to save rapidly disappeared, and, as she was too ill to be left alone, Tom found it almost impossible to absent himself long enough to seek for work. The opening scene of the picture shows a plain but neat bedroom in a cheap lodging house. Tom is sitting by the bedside of his sick wife, waiting anxiously for the arrival of the doctor, who had promised to come and minister to his loved one's needs. A knock is heard at the door, but on opening it, instead of seeing the doctor, the sour face of his landlady greets his eye. Brushing past him into the room, she demands in a loud voice to know whether or not he was in a position to make her an immediate payment on his rent. Telling her that he had not a cent at present, he turns to pacify her with the promise to raise some money as soon as his wife is well enough to be left alone. That does not satisfy the irresistible landlady, and she gives him twenty-four hours to vacate the premises, and the same time placing a "To Rent" sign in the bedroom window while she is venting her anger in loud terms. The doctor arrives, and, taking in the situation at a glance, tells Tom to get rid of her, as her presence was trying to the invalid's nerves. She is finally ejected from the room, and the doctor, after examining the sick wife, writers out a prescription and tells Tom to have it filled immediately. Fearing to confess his inability to pay for the medicine the poor fellow rushes out, determined to find sonic way in which he might make the necessary raise. Meeting a neighbor (Miss Maggie Clancy) on his way out, he asks her to remain with his wife until he can return. The goodhearted girl promises not to leave her alone, and so Tom starts out on his mission. We next see him at a drug store, where he accosts the druggist in the hopes of obtaining credit for a few days. But that gentleman is hardened by many similar requests, and so turns a deaf ear to the anxious husband. From one to another the poor fellow goes, and always the same answer, "nothing doing." At last, worn out and discouraged, we see him enter the city park, where with a heart-broken sob he flings himself down on a garden bench and gives way to his grief. Coming through the park with rapid strides, whistling the last popular air, is Tim Bradley, a race tout. Tim also has been unfortunate lately in picking winners at the track, consequently is, as he expresses it, "on the blink" himself. Now, Tim had known Tom in his prosperous days, and the operator had staked him to many a meal when he was in sore need. The tout never forgot a favor, and seeing his old friend in seeming distress, asks what the trouble is, and Tom is not long in informing him. Diving into his pockets, he finds them empty. But Tim is nothing if not optimistic, and telling Tom to come with him, starts out determined to raise the money. He is not long in forming a plan, which his fertile brain rapidly conceives. He will work a stunt that is risky, but apt to succeed, and, being a chance his gaming instincts make it relishable. Hastening down an alley the two soon come to a back yard. A large washing is hanging out. Over the fence goes Tim, procures one of the clothes lines, and, returning, began to fashion a hangmans noose on one end of it. Then back to the park, where a suitable tree is found, a bench is procured and placed beneath an overhanging limb. With instructions for Tom to make a round-about detour of the park, and at a certain signal attract attention to him, the tout proceeds to arrange for a fake attempt at suicide. The plan works beautifully. People walking along enjoying the flowers and sunshine are suddenly startled by a cry of, "Look, there is a man hanging himself!" In an instant a great commotion arises. Men rush wildly toward the tree where the tout is preparing to spring into space with the end of a rope about his neck. Tom is in the lead and arrives just in time to catch Tim in his arms as he leaves the bench. The rope is cut and the struggling tout finally subdued. "Why did you do this?" blurts out an excitable old gentleman who has just rushed up out of breath. Then Tim, with tears in his eyes and a broken voice, relates a tale of woe about a sick wife and starving children that melts the hearts of the bystanders and causes a sudden diving for handkerchiefs and pocketbooks. Tom is dumbfounded at the acting of the clever tout and can hardly keep a straight face as he sees its effect on the crowd. "There, my poor man, take that," says the blubbering old gentleman as he drops a dollar into his hat and passes it around for further contributions. Many of the bystanders follow the old gentleman's example with the result that a goodly sum is turned over to Tim. and he is sent away stammering out his thanks to the kind hearts that have helped him so generously. Yon are a brick, Tim," cries the grateful Tom as the tout hands him a handful of money when they are nut of sight of the still excited crowd. That's all right, old fellow, you have helped me many a time when I needed it. Take it home, give it to the little woman, then come with me to the track and we will see if we can't pick up some more." The medicine is quickly procured, and, kissing his fond wife good-bye for a few hours, leaves her in charge of the good hearted-neighbor and accompanies Tim out to the race track. After paying their admission the two boys have very little left as most of the money was turned over to the sick wife. But the tout was resourceful, as most men who live by their wits are, and not easily discouraged. So he sets out to see what he can learn about the horses and peddle his information to whoever he could. He was not long in spotting John McGee, the owner of a string of thoroughbreds and a clever plunger. Unknown to him, Tim follows him about the stables till finally be sees him stop, and pulling a telegraph blank from his pocket, begins to write a message. It doesn't suit him, so tearing it up he walks away. Tim watches him out of sight, then procures the torn pieces of the dispatch and, putting them together reads it. "Lady Fay, a 50-to-l shot, looks good to me," signed Jack. That was enough for Tim. Now, then, to raise some money. A farmer standing nearby looking at some of the racing stock attracts the tout's attention, and straightway for Ruben makes the irrepressible Tim. At first the farmer is suspicious of being done, but so convincing is Tim's argument, and so tempting is the chance to make a winning, that the bucolic gentleman loosens up for a twenty, and away goes the tout for the betting ring, where the bill is placed on "Lady Fay" with odds of 50 to 1. At last the eventful race is run, and the little mare gallops home a winner by a length. "Jumping beeswax!" shouts the excited farmer as Tim thrusts $500.00 into his hands (being one-half of the amount the clever tout drew from the chagrined bookmaker). "Never knew there was so much money in the world." Dividing his share with Tom, the two boys hasten back to the sick wife to bear her the cheering news of their good fortune. The landlady receives her rent. Maggie Clancy decides she needs a husband and picks Tim as the favorite, and the characters of our drama are left rejoicing over their unexpected turn of luck, which all goes to show that much good may he found "In the Heart of a Race Tout." - The Moving Picture World, July 24, 1909
- Every hamlet can boast of one or more public hostelry and most of them find time to name one of them Commercial, such is true of Caseyville. The evening train had just arrived, the hotel was busy attending to the wants of the new arrivals, among which was a real out and out lady tonsorial artist who has made known her intention of opening a barber shop in the quiet and staid village. She is soon in the hands of the real estate man and a bargain struck for a location. The sign is placed in position, and the excitement begins. The novelty of the occasion creates more furor than a detachment of hobble skirts at a church fair. The village Beau Brummels, married and unmarried, are in line awaiting their turn. The regular shop presents a grave aspect, especially as regards the absence of customers. McGee drops in to tell the old reliable cause of the sudden slump in business. The news is not received by the ladies of the town with any degree of delight, as they notice their husbands are spending more time and money at the barber shop than usual, some getting shaved 2 or 3 times a day. The new barber is so overwhelmed with business that she sends to the city for more help and in another day the force is increased to four barbers and a lady bootblack. The last arrival was too much; the village belles fairly fumed with rage and vowed vengeance. They hold an indignation meeting and resolve upon a plan. In the meantime the regular shop decides to enter into skirted tonsorial competition and accordingly enlists the services of his wife and hangs his sign out to herald the news, but he has not weighed with the charms of the fair sex and while the customers came, like the girl at the church, "turned right around and walked right out again." The suffragette committee by this time had perfected their defense and ordered the old regular to get busy and send for some young men as hair dressers. This is done and proves a bomb in the camp of the invading barbers and all argument on the part of their men was of no avail. Their wives crowded to the old shop and the fair new arrivals are soon their way.
- Lost adaption of the 1904 book of "The Marvelous Land of Oz" in which Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Woodman, the Cowardly Lion and the Wizard encounter the rebellion army of General Jinger and his Leith soldiers.
- Who stole "The Millionaire Baby?" Did the plotting Doctor Pool finally accomplish his bold determination? Did Valerie Carew, former Burlesque Queen conquered by Mother-Love seize an advantageous opportunity and steal away her loved one? Did Marion Ocumpaugh have knowledge of Gwendolyn's disappearance? Did Justin Carew, finally recognizing his wife and desiring a reconciliation, see the light and kidnap his own child?
- Two staid judges, Hay and Holt, are close friends. They have but one child each, an attractive daughter. These old fellows are very dignified and old-fashioned in their ideas, and they guard their girls with jealous care. Two young men of the town are enamored of those pretty girls and pay court to them. They are both surprised in their love-making, by the judges, who angrily order them from their houses, thereby humiliating the young men in the eyes of their sweethearts. The boys swear to get even. They determine to humiliate the judges. So they enlist the services of two gentlemen of shady reputation. The old codgers are enticed from their houses, carried off to a lonely shack in the woods, their beards are shaven off and they are dressed in the garb of children. Frightened half to death by their experience, the old fellows are turned loose to make their way back home as best they can. Their experiences are most amusing. The matter gets into the papers next day, but the names are withheld pending further investigation. Now the boys have them on their hips and threaten to reveal their names unless they give their consent to their daughters' marriage. Of course, the boys win, much to the gratification of the girls and the chagrin of the two crusty old jurists.
- In a traditional "magician" attire, the wizard of illusion and jump cuts, Georges Méliès, says the magic words and conjures up wonders from a plain wooden box.
- A drama of a sailboat race and the ship-builder who builds the yacht that wins the Lipton Cup.
- Part One. The first reel opens with the departure of the ship Pharaon from Marseilles, with Dantes and Danglars, the man who later incomes his deadly rival, as supercargo. During the voyage the captain dies. At the moment of his death he gives the charge of the ship to Dantes, and also entrusts to him the secret message to Napoleon, with the imperial ring which will admit him to private audience with the illustrious exile. Dantes succeeds in his mission to Napoleon, and sails back to France with a communication from Napoleon to Noirtier, who dispatched the original missive. On arrival at Marseilles, Danglars tries to get the command of the Pharaon away from Dantes, but Morrel, the ship owner, is well satisfied with Dantes, and gives him his captain's papers. Dantes, after an affectionate reunion with his old father, visits his sweetheart, Mercedes. Fernand, a fiery young fisherman, who has been trying to win her for himself, is much incensed at Dantes' return. He discovers Danglars' enmity for Dantes, and conspires with him and several habitues of the Reserve Inn to bring trumped up charges against Dantes. Their nefarious scheme succeeds so well that Dantes is torn from a jolly prenuptial feast by the magistrate's guards and hustled from the distracted Mercedes' side to a dungeon in the Chateau D'If, in Marseilles harbor. Part Two. The second reel depicts the awful years spent in the dungeon by Dantes. He grows grizzled, ragged and unkempt in the solitude. He manages finally to get into communication, through a secret passage, with a fellow prisoner, an old Abbe, who is being persecuted by political and religious enemies. The Abbe is an eccentric person, whose one thought in life is the recovery of immense buried riches, the key to the finding of which he holds in the form of an old chart. Finally the Abbe comes to die, and entrusts the chart to Dantes. After the discovery of the Abbe's corpse by the guards, and while the latter have gone out to fetch shots with which to weight the sack in which they have wrapped the Abbe preparatory to casting him into the sea, Dantes manages to drag the corpse into his own cell and substitute himself for the remains. He is cast from the parapet of the castle in the sack which is supposed to contain the dead body. He has supplied himself with a knife beforehand, and as the sack sinks Dantes rips it open and swims to an isolated rock, from the top of which he shouts, in his exultation over the escape: "The World is Mine!" Part Three. The third reel opens with the rescue of Dantes from the rock by a smuggler's schooner. During the cruise of the schooner, Dantes induces the captain to put him ashore on the isle of Monte Cristo, the spot named in the Abbe's chart as the depository of the hidden treasure. He discovers the exact cave and unearths the treasure. He makes his way to the mainland and lives in luxury among the Arabs, falling in love with the beautiful slave girl, Haidee. Captain Albert, of the French army, gets into difficulties during an attack upon his troops by the Arabs and Dantes, by his daring, saves his life. Albert, on taking his departure from Dantes' tent, thanks him profusely and invites him in Paris. Dantes, who has seen something familiar in the captain's face, starts when he reads his card, but promises, without comment, to attend the reception at Albert's. Dantes, in disguise, and known as the Count of Monte Cristo, visits Paris with Haidee. There he comes face to face with his old sweetheart, Mercedes, who has married his enemy, Fernand. Mercedes informs him that the young captain, Albert, is his own son. The final scene is a desperate duel between Dantes and Fernand, in which Fernand is killed.
- James Warrington, a successful architect, is fortunate in the possession of a happy home presided over by a loving wife and gladdened by the presence of a fine young son, Jerry Warrington. When the morning newspaper is thrown into the home carrying in staring headlines the news that war has been declared, the husband hides the newspaper and goes to his office. Frank Archer is a partner of James Warrington, and when Warrington reaches the office. Archer informs him that he, Archer, has determined to enlist as a volunteer. Archer tells Warrington that he, too, should enlist. Warrington hesitates, thinking of his wife and little son. Then his duty confronts him and he agrees to join a volunteer regiment with Archer. Then comes the first note, of sadness, for Warrington tells his wife that he has enlisted. Archer lives with his little daughter, Mercy, in a house adjoining that occupied by the Warringtons. He and his daughter call at the Warrington home. There Mrs. Warrington pleads with Archer to remember his little daughter and to remain at home, but he answers firmly that it is his duty as well as Warrington's duty to go to the firing line. The bugler sounds the "assembly" and the regiment which includes Warrington and Archer, marches away and Mrs. Warrington watches with tear-dimmed eyes. Time passes. Battles have been won and lost, and father's all too brief notes to little Jerry and his mother cease. Then one day Archer arrives home. He has lost an arm. His little daughter Mercy is overjoyed that Papa has returned home again. Archer calls on Mrs. Warrington. As little Jerry and Mercy play together in the yard, Archer tells Mrs. Warrington of the heroic death of her husband. Later the newspaper headlines declare that peace has been restored. Seventeen years pass, and Jerry has grown to young manhood and Mercy has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Their childish affection has grown apace and they are sweethearts. Again comes the morning paper into the Warrington home. Mrs. Warrington reads the fateful headlines stating that after seventeen years of peace, war has again been declared and that invaders have landed upon our coast. The dawn of despair comes to the loving mother. She resolves to hide the newspaper from Jerry. But bulletin boards everywhere confront Jerry, and they state that volunteer regiments will be equipped immediately to go at once to the front. At the office, Jerry tells Archer, "It is my duty to enlist." He repairs to his home to tell his mother. She reels when she hears the news. She goes to her husband's portrait: "I lost him in war. I cannot lose you, too, my boy. Promise not to enlist." But Jerry's determination is unshaken. As war takes its toll, Mercy goes to the front as a Red Cross Nurse, while at home Jerry's mother creeps to the attic and fondles the toys belonging to Jerry when he was a child. One day Mercy Archer returns. With her father she goes to Mrs. Warrington's home. Mercy, too, tells a story just as her father told one seventeen years before. And as Jerry's mother sits gazing grief stricken into the fireplace in her cottage, oblivious of the comforting arms of Mercy, there comes a vision of a great battleship firing a broadside of guns which later dissolves into a great threshing harvesting machine at work, implying peace and industry.
- "Showing them in a game called 'cock fight,' in which they hop around on one foot with their arms folded. The whole affair is very laughable and sure to provoke a great outburst of mirth."
- A cowboy gets a message that his sister's husband has left her and she is in trouble. When he gets there, he finds her dead. He sets out to track down the husband.
- The daughter of an adventurer in India is kidnapped by a native king, whom she is forced to marry. She has several adventures battling natives and wild animals.
- In the shadow of the Nevada Falls, we see John Morgan and his wife wending their way back to civilization with their trusty pack mule as their only companion. Disappointed in their search for gold, they are returning heavy-hearted; when they have reached Glacier Point, they camp for the night. On awakening they find their burro has wandered off and they are left no aid in their journey and soon find it necessary to discard the saddle as a cumbersome piece of luggage. On the opposite side of the small lake, the Indian camp is plainly visible. Rations are low and Morgan decides to seek help from the Indians, and accordingly goes to their camp. Meeting Red Bird and her brother, Yellow Breast, Morgan is directed to the tepee of Red Bear and he is successful in exchanging his gun for some meal. Morgan returns to camp. Red Bear accidentally discharges his gun and wounds his squaw. He sends for aid to the white man, who gives help and nurses the squaw back to life. Red Bear, in order to show his gratitude for the white man's kindness, tells him of gold deposits near Mr. Shasta, and leaving his wife with the squaw, the prospector hits the trail with Red Bear for the promised find. Their ambitions are realized and after a period of some weeks they return to the camp and find that in their absence Gerald Winston, a prospector, had used every effort to entice Mrs. Morgan from the camp, but had been repelled by the squaw, who proved herself true to her benefactors and blocked the attempt of the unprincipled mine owner. All are happy in their reunion and prove the ever prevailing influence of gratitude even in the breasts of the much hated redskins.
- Aunt Ray Innes leases Sunnyside House, the country home of Paul Armstrong, and invites her nephew and niece, Halsey and Gertrude Innes. En route, the young people stop at the Greenwood Club to take Jack Bailey, the intended husband of Gertrude and cashier of the Armstrong Bank. Halsey appears in time to prevent a fight between Jack and Arnold Armstrong, son of the banker. At three o'clock in the morning a pistol shot awakens Aunt Ray, who summons her servant, Liddy. They are joined by Gertrude, and the women discover that Halsey and Jack are missing. Investigations disclose the lifeless body of Arnold Armstrong lying at the foot of the circular staircase. Mr. Jarvis, who had been summoned from the club, recalls that Jack and Arnold were bitter enemies because of banking affairs. The next morning Mrs. Watson, the housekeeper, appears suffering from an injured arm, which she explains she sustained in falling down the circular staircase. Frank Jamieson, the detective, on the case cannot trace Jack, and when Halsey Innes returns he refuses to say why he left. Then the newspapers announce that the Armstrong bank has failed; that the cashier has been released under bond; that Dr. Walker, who has accompanied Paul Armstrong to the west, has wired that the banker is too ill to travel, and that securities aggregating a million and a quarter are missing. Aunt Ray searching for Tom, the butler, comes upon Louise Armstrong, daughter of the banker, who was supposed to be out west with her father, at the Lodge. Dr. Stewart, the family physician, attends to her. Dr. Walker wires that the banker has died, and that his summer home must be vacated as the body will arrive soon. But Aunt Ray refuses to leave on such short notice. Louise is not apprised of her father's death, and as she leaves for her mother's home she tells Aunt Ray to leave Sunnyside House, as she has forebodings for its future. Mrs. Watson's injuries develop into blood poisoning, and she is taken to a hospital. As Tom, the butler, sits in the Lodge one night, he sees an apparition and drops dead of fright. Dr. Walker warns Aunt Ray to leave the house before she regrets it. Again she refuses. Several nights later as Halsey and Alex, the new gardener, are keeping watch over the circular staircase, the stable catches fire, and the men rush to give assistance. Meanwhile the women are terrorized by the movements of a strange object outside. Halsey disappears and a tramp with the missing man's watch on him is caught by Detective Jamieson. Upon being questioned, he says that he found the watch under the freight car into which had been thrown Halsey, bound and gagged. Mr. Watson, who is dying, tells Aunt Ray that when she was carried to the lodge by Tom, the butler, she found Louise Armstrong ill and that she (Mrs. Watson) was struck on the arm by a golf club by Arnold because she refused to give him the key to Sunnyside House. Mrs. Watson returned to the house and when she was ascending the circular staircase found that Arnold was creeping up behind her and shot him. Gertrude learns from Halsey, who is in a neighboring hospital, that Paul Armstrong, aided by Dr. Walker, looted his own bank, and that is why Louise left her father. Meanwhile the casket containing Paul Armstrong's body is exhumed and when opened it is found that the corpse is not that of the banker. Aunt Ray discovers a secret room and upon investigating she is locked in by the door automatically closing upon her. Here she is found by Paul Armstrong that night. The sight of him frightens her and her cries bring the detective and Alex, the new gardener, who break open the door as Armstrong escapes by another secret passage. He slips down the circular staircase and is killed, and Dr. Walker is taken into custody. Alex removes his disguise and reveals himself as Jack Baily. A cash box containing the stolen securities is found in the secret room by Jack, and as Aunt Ray comes into Sunnyside House she finds Louise and Halsey in a loving embrace, and Jack and Gertrude in a like attitude at the bottom of the circular staircase.
- A wealthy heiress marries "a spendthrift and a man of loose morals." After the honeymoon a creditor begins demanding payment, the husband insists that his wife pays the bills because the law states that a woman's possessions are controlled by her husband. She attempts to leave her husband with the children and is tried in the courts for abduction.
- Jack Thornton, an American traveler, while touring Europe meets the daughter of an old French nobleman and falls in love with her. He is persistent in his suit for her hand, but outside of a seemingly cordial friendship the lady apparently does not return his affections. There is a reason for this. Osman Bey, a Turkish nobleman, desires the hand of this charming girl. He has expressed his love for her to her father, who is an ambitious, worldly man and who aspires to obtain that social recognition which is so dear to the average man of wealth. Mons. Dupont is well aware that he is selling his daughter, and so cleverly does he arrange matters by pretending that he is facing financial ruin, that he persuades Flora into giving her consent to the marriage in order to save his credit. Several months later, whilst sightseeing in Constantinople, Jack by accident meets Flora, who is driving in a closed vehicle. He is startled at the change in her appearance and indignant over the revelation of her misery and ill-treatment. Almost a prisoner in the house of Osman Bey, she is denied friends and relatives. Her one great desire now is to get away from her tyrannical and brutal husband. Jack determines to aid her, and tells her that he will gain admittance to the grounds of the palace after sundown, where he may talk with her and if possible formulate a plan whereby she may gain her freedom. True to his word Jack is on hand at the appointed time, but is unable to pass the guards at the gate. Nothing daunted, this daring American determines to scale the massive walls, which he does after a great deal of difficulty. Making his way through the beautiful gardens, he manages to see through a lighted window Flora's face and form, Gently tapping on the pane of glass her attention is attracted, but a female spy, ordered by Osman Bey to keep an eye on his wife, observes the signal from the window and immediately acquaints her master with the knowledge of his wife's indiscretion. Burning with rage, the infuriated husband summons his slaves and orders them to take the American prisoner. Jack has just greeted Flora, when he is startled by a sharp word of command, and turning suddenly he is seized by the stalwart slaves of the palace and dragged away. Flora appeals to her enraged husband for Jack's release, taking all the blame on herself, but to no avail. The prisoner is carried to an underground dungeon, where he is left to ponder over the perplexing situation in which he now finds himself. Maddened by grief, the poor girl determines in her desperation to go to the Sultan and beg his clemency. Escaping from her chamber window she makes her way to the Sultan's palace, and gaining admittance is granted an audience by his majesty. Struck by her beauty and fired by the crafty thought that he might gain this helpless woman for his harem, he promises her the pardon, but instead of letting her take it he dispatches one of his officers with the papers, at the same time commanding the bewildered Flora to remain at his palace. How Jack is led out to execution and how the pardon arrives just in time to save his life, much to the chagrin of Osman Bey, is all vividly shown. Jack has learned of Flora's detention in the Sultan's palace, and so embittered is he at this outrage that he joins the cause of the revolutionists. The last scenes of the picture show the attack on the Sultan's palace, and the meeting of Osman Bey and Jack in a hand to hand conflict in which the Turk is bested, which is followed by the rescue of Flora and the capture of the despised Sultan.
- Tom Daton, deputy marshal, is ordered to Chico County to keep an eye upon a number of desperate characters reported to have been terrorizing that vicinity. Bess Jackson, a beautiful young woman, acts as faro bank dealer in an adjacent county, and when Tom arrives there he is much attracted by her beauty. Gene Hammond, a wealthy mining man, bids his wife farewell and goes to Chico County to develop a claim. There Doc Breede, leader of a gang of desperadoes, resents the appearance of the deputy marshal on the scene, and plans with his gang to make away with Tom. He plots with confederates that they shoot through a window and kill the deputy marshal making it appear that Hammond did the shooting. The shots are fired, but just at that instant, Tom unconsciously withdraws from range, and it is one of Doc Breede's pals who is struck by the bullet. Hammond is arrested by the sheriff and charged with doing the shooting. His revolver, which bad been tampered with, is placed in evidence. Hammond's wife, hearing of his Incarceration, rushes to his aid. Tom, the deputy marshal, believing in Hammond's innocence resolves to force a confession from Doc Breede. He does so, and after an exciting battle with the desperadoes, members of the gang are rounded up. As a reward for breaking up the plot, Tom claims Bess Jackson as his bride.
- John Colter, a backwoodsman of the northwestern coast, earned a reputation for his speed as a runner and his resourcefulness in face of danger. Once when trapping he was captured by a marauding band of Black Feet, who gave him a chance for his life to run the gauntlet in a rather singular way. He was set loose and the Indians were ordered to pursue him until he was worn down, giving opportunity to prolong torture at their pleasure. The crafty Colter led them such a swift pace that when the strongest runner was so far ahead that his fellow men were out of sight, he turned, tripped the Indian, and finished him with his own spear. Then he took to the water and by hiding like a beaver beneath a driftwood raft, escaped.
- The "Diamond S" ranch abounds in thrilling scenes of dare-devil cowboy life. One feature of the great subject is a number of scenes showing the Champion Woman Bulldogger and Steer Thrower of the world in action. She is shown, in close-up, intimate views, accomplishing this difficult feat in record time. This, with the congress of Rough Riders, Broncho Busting, the Round Up, wild riding, etc., make a picture of unexcelled skill and excellence.
- The conjurer appears at a blackboard and shows the head of a knight on it. He seizes the picture of the head, removes it from the blackboard, and it turns into life and bows and smiles apparently with a body being attached to it. The conjurer then seizes a sword and runs it completely through the head, entering at the neck and going right through the top of the skull. He then takes the head and places it upon a camera, which is mounted upon a tripod; then throwing a cloak around the legs of the tripod, the young lady to whom the head belongs appears instantly the cloak is removed, with head properly attached to her body. The conjurer then runs toward a door which stands in the middle of the wall, and making a jump in the air, vanishes into space.
- In the wild west, Tom's wife, Nell, yearns to return to big city life. Slippery Jim offers her a way--and she takes the couple's young daughter with her. Will Tom ever see his child again?
- Steve and Tom are rivals for the hand of Mona. She prefers Steve; they become engaged and are later married. On the night of the wedding Tom in a jealous rage, is about to kill Steve, but changes his mind when he sees how slim his chances are to make a getaway. He decides, however, to waylay Steve the next day. He ambushes himself in the rocks above the trail that Steve is traveling, and, at an opportune time, fires three shots at his enemy. His shots all miss the mark, and Steve, turning quickly, sees Tom and fires back. Steve's bullet is fatal and Tom in falling drops his gun which becomes lodged in a crevice a hundred feet or so below the body. When Tom's body is found and no weapon discovered, Steve is convicted of having deliberately killed his former rival. He is sentenced to life imprisonment and the shock nearly kills his wife. She becomes very ill, and in her delirium sees a vivid picture of the shooting. In a state of somnambulism she walks to the spot where Tom's gun is hidden, recovers it and returns to the house. With this new evidence she manages to secure Steve's freedom.
- After years of mining, Steve Brant finally strikes it rich and plans to use his new fortune to give his wife Helen all of the things that she has had to do without. Helen, however, is already fed up with her lifestyle, so she agrees to run away with the mysterious Craig Wells. Even the elopement cannot change Steve's plans and he sends Helen a package filled with money. The gesture makes her realize how much she loves Steve, and she insists on turning back, but Craig, who is wanted for stealing government funds, refuses. Helen and Craig fight, and during the struggle, she is shot accidentally, after which Craig deserts her. Eventually, Steve finds Helen and nurses her back to health, while the authorities capture Craig and hang him.
- Belle Boyd was one of the most daring and dashing figures of the South in the great Civil War. She was captured and imprisoned a number of times, and was personally commended by General Stonewall Jackson for her distinguished services on behalf of his army and her country. The details of this story are fictional, although it is an historic fact. Belle Boyd went through the zone of fire on a battlefield, escaping by dropping to the ground between every volley and then jumping to her feet and running toward the Confederate battery. The scene opens with the home of Belle Boyd in neutral ground. She and her girl companions are "sewing-up" the gallant battle-scarred Southerners, whose uniforms were necessarily neglected after the first few years of strenuous service. The watchful darkey runs into the parlor where the tailoring is proceeding on the living models and sounds the alarm, "The Tanks are coming," The Confederate officers desert their sweethearts, mount in hot haste and make for their lines! They are well out of the way when a Federal troop of cavalry escorting General Shields and staff come upon the porch. The General says they must use the house a few moments to discuss battle plans. Aunt Cloe ushers them into a parlor at the invitation of Belle Boyd. This parlor is rather dilapidated. The General sends his orderly out to inspect the premises to observe if they are safe from eavesdroppers and posts a sentinel at the door of the parlor. The soldier inspects, but he no sooner leaves the room above the parlor than Belle Boyd emerges from hiding in an old armor. She darkens the room, draws aside the rug in the center and looks through the hole in the ceiling, sees the plans exposed on the parlor table below and hears of a plot to capture General Jackson. She makes note of them, as they are most important for "the cause." When the officers depart she is at the front door to bid them "good bye" and through substituting a blank roll secures the battle plan from an enamored subordinate. Men follow her wild ride and her race through the battlefield, bringing information that saves Jackson's corps from defeat.
- Elsie's idea of a real man was a dummy dressed like a cowboy, reckless and wild and woolly. Wallace Carey, a gallant city businessman, rich, attractive, and well dressed, was in love with her, but she wanted a real cowboy for a husband. Elsie departed for the west to visit relatives on a ranch, but Elsie's mother favored Carey, and planned to bring them together. Carey applied at the ranch where Elsie was staying for a job, intimating that he had lost his fortune. He mixed with the cowboys, became a "good fellow," defeating them all at their sports and games, and cut a striking figure on horseback, so that Elsie finally began to believe that she had made a mistake. He rescued Elsie from a perilous situation, and proved himself to be a "man" in every way. So Elsie was won after all by an easterner, who admitted after their engagement that he had not lost his fortune, but was merely playing a part to win her love.