Paramount Press Books (1919)

Cast and Story of “Good Gracious, Amabelle!” For Use of Exhibitors in Their House Organs or for General Publicity in the Exploitation of Billie Burke’s New Photoplay A Paramount Picture New Paramount Picture, “Good Gracious, Annabelle!99 J an Ideal Story for Dainty Billie Burke Popular Star^Has Role of Girl who is Kidnaped, Wedded to a Hermit Miner, ^is Separated , hut Finds Him Later in Thrilling Circumstances. WHEN she was sixteen years old and living with her father in a mining town, Annabelle Leigh was kidnaped by John Rawson, a hermit miner, during a battle over a mining claim. Rawson, who lives in a cave, takes her to his habitation for the night and when she tells him that she has been terribly compromised by his course, he calls in a parson and marries her. Rawson’s motive in kidnaping the girl was to protect her from other miners, her father being too ill to care for her properly. He fails to tell her this and when she begins to weep, he thrusts her out of his cave. Annabelle takes up her residence in a nearby city and soon thereafter her husband, whose name she does not know, makes a fabulously rich strike and sends his wife regular remittances. This goes on for seven years, and having spent her last allowance almost as soon as she received it, she finds herself in financial difficulties. The management of the hotel where she lives refuses to honor her check, but nevertheless, she invites a party of friends to enjoy with her an elaborate collation with costly floral decorations. Meanwhile, Rawson, who has an immense income from his mines, seeks two shares of stock which he had given to Annabelle the day he thrust her out of his cabin, the possession of which will give him control of his property. He goes to New York and registers at the St. Swithin where his wife lives. Annabelle is seated in the lobby, wondering where she is to find money, when Rawson is pointed out to her as a money king. She does not' recognize him as her husband, and when he sees her, he is attracted. He tells her his name and she invites him to be her guest at dinner. The party is a great success, especially as Rawson insists upon “GOOD GRACIOUS, ANNABELLE!” The Cast Annabelle Leigh .... Billie Burke John Rawson. Herbert Rawlinson Harry Murchinson Gilbert Douglas George Wimbledon Craufurd Kent William Gosling. .. Frank Losee Wilbur Jennings. . .Leslie Casey Alfred Weatherby .Gordon Dana Ethel Deane Delle Duncan Gwendolyn Morley.Olga Downs James Ludgate Thomas A. Braidon Lottie Billie Wilson paying the bill. Harry Murchison is sued for divorce by his wife, who names Annabelle as co-respondent. He urges Annabelle to escape before the papers can be served upon her. She is in a quandary when she overhears a conversation in which Ludgate, the valet of George Wimbledon, announces that a cook is wanted at the Wimbledon home in Long Island. She accepts the position, and as her friends are willing to accept other menial positions in the Wimbledon household, she closes a deal whereby all of them are sent to the Wimbledon home at Rook Point, L. I. Before leaving the hotel, Annabelle asks Rawson if he will send her effects to Rook Point. He consents to do so, and meeting Ludgate, he becomes interested in the Wimbledon place and rents it at one thousand dollars a week while Wimbledon is away. Assuming the name of Annie Postlewaite, and introducing her friends under pseudonyms to Ludgate. Rawson has caught a fish and taken it to the kitchen to be cooked. He meets Annabelle and, believing her a visitor, tells her that he has rented the Wimbledon home. Meanwhile Murchison has traced Annabelle and he tells her that she is compromising herself. Rawson overhears the conversation and is pained at the revelation that Annabelle, whom he loves, is a co-respondent. But she soon sets his mind at rest and reveals to him that she has a husband somewhere, known as a hermit. Rawson secretly is delighted to discover his wife. Meanwhile, George Wimbledon, who has the stock Rawson is looking for, returns home unexpectedly to find his place overrun by strangers. Rawson is introduced to him as the new captain of the “Bluebell,” and meeting Annabelle, Wimbledon loses no time in making love to her. He shows her the stock Rawson is seeking and being slightly intoxicated, offers to lend her all the money she may need. He falls asleep and Annabelle removes the stock from his pocket. She is watched by Rawson who is relieved to know that the stock is no longer in Wimbledon’s possession. Rawson is recognized by a detective and Wimbledon suspects him of the theft of his stock. To shield Annabelle Rawson frankly admits the theft, but adds that he is willing to make Wimbledon his partner and that litigation doubtless would prove endless. Wimbledon agrees. Annabelle is saddened at Rawson’s course and shows the stock to Wimbledon who refuses to accept it, saying it belongs to the hermit. She announces her intention to go West and seek her husband. Rawson appears and reveals himself. Annabelle falls into his arms with joy, for she realizes that she loves him and that her difficulties are over forever.