Motography (Jan-Jun 1913)

430 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. IX, No. 12 Edison's "Mary Stuart" The first multiple reel subject which the Edison studios have produced in a long time will be seen when "Mary Stuart" is released on June 21. The powerful and pathetic story of the unhappy queen, though familiar to Darnley Resolves to Kill Rizzio. every schoolboy in the land, may be briefly told as follows : The beautiful and much loved Mary Stuart,,' Queen of Scotland, is one of the most unfortunate and pathetic characters in history. Born in Scotland, educated at the court of Francis II of France, whom she married at fifteen, queen of France at sixteen, a widow at seventeen, beginning her reign as Scotland's queen at eighteen, married to Darnley of the royal blood at nineteen — her life began amid turmoil and disaster. Her husband, Lord Darnley, who after their marriage proves himself a vicious braggart and coxcomb, is intensely jealous of Rizzio, Mary's favorite singer and secretary. One night as Rizzio sings to the queen, Darnley and his band of night hawks wait at the foot of the narrow staircase for the singer. Down the staircase he Unsuccessful Attempt to Kill Elizabeth. comes, full of youth and love. Darnley's hand shoots out of the shadow and Darnley's dagger finds its rest in Rizzio's heart. Such marital dissensions, together with political factions and religious contentions, cause Scotland to rise in arms, and the queen, in jeopardy of life and without followers, accepts the offered hospitality of England's queen, Elizabeth, who extends Mary an invitation to sojourn at Kennilworth castle, in Warmikshere, until the broils of Scottish clans subside and Mary can return to her throne. With gratitude and haste, the Stuart repairs to Kennilworth, only to find herself trapped, a prisoner, by Elizabeth, who really fears not only the Scottish queen's beauty and power, but her legal birthrights to the English crown. Elizabeth, not daring to openly execute her royal sister, tries secretly to affect her assassination, but in vain, owing to the loyalty of Mary's servitors. A charge of treason is then brought against her by the English crown. She is found guilty and sentenced to the block. Pending the signing of the death warrant by Queen Elizabeth, attempts to rescue Mary are made, one by a gallant and loving Englishman, Sir Edward Mortimer, but these only result in failure of plans, frustrated attempts on Elizabeth's life, and deeper confinement and unhappiness for Mary. In a meeting between the two queens, effected after much planning, Elizabeth taunts Mary, whose proud spirit rebels and bursts forth in denunciations. After this disastrous interview and at the urging of Lord Burleigh, the lord treasurer, Elizabeth signs the death warrant and the martyr queen is led to Mortimer Feigns Hatred of Mary in Elizabeth's Presence. public execution. The Earl of Leicester has been secretly in love with Mary, but fearing for his safety, deserts her when the crisis comes. There is a white haired old man who follows her, with breaking heart, to the scaffold, and a gray haired old woman bowed down by weeping — these, her nurse and her physician, the remnants of her faithful followers. She mounts the scaffold, the charges of treason are read to the curious, hungry crowd watching. Oh, the anguish on the queen's tired face at these false accusations. She forr gives the headsman, offers a prayer for her too trusting soul, and bares her white neck to the axe. The film fades on Leicester bowed with grief and remorse on the stairs which Mary had just ascended on her way to the scaffold. Edison Players In Georgia Charles M. Seay has left the Edison studio for an extended trip through the south, where he will make his headquarters in Rome, Georgia. With the director are Mabel Tronnelle, Bliss Milford, Herbert Prior, Harry Beaumont and Arthur Housman. They will make a number of films, using places of historical interest as settings.