Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1911)

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THE LIFE OF MOLIERE 27 MOLIERE'S BOYHOOD WAS SPENT IN A THEATRICAL ENVIRONMENT. We first see Moliere at work in his father's shop, when a boy. All the employees are busy at their appointed tasks, except the youthful playwright, who snatches time to re-read one of his earlier efforts. The door opens and Scaramouche, the Italian comedian, enters in quest of a particular style of chair. Moliere tenders his play for perusal ; but, just as Scaramouche begins to be interested, Poquelin, the father of Moliere, comes in unexpectedly, and the play is hastily thrown out of sight. Again the boy poet places it in the comedian's hand, and some clever work is done by Scaramouche, as he tries to read the manuscript without being detected by the stern upholsterer. The next scene shows Moliere at the Louvre palace, where he meets Louis XIV for the first time. Here we see the scorn of the courtiers for the actor-dramatist, and their consternation over the consideration shown him by their king. This scene will be remembered for the delicate beauty of the interiors shown. Next we view the stately splendor of the festival at Versailles, where hundreds of courtiers, ladies in waiting and great nobles attend on the king. The beauty of the court costumes, which in that time set the fashion for all the royal houses in Europe, and the courtly air and demeanor of every individual in the royal pageant, have been faithfully reproduced. One cannot but marvel at the excellence of the training of this vast throng of players, every one of which acts his or her part as if to the manor born. As Moliere comes into the scene, the acting of the king, of the courtiers, and of the great actor himself, is faultless. When the king places his arm around Moliere 's shoulders and walks off with him, it is a delight to watch the faces of the surprised and jealous followers; and, when next we see Louis seated at table with Moliere,