The Moving Picture Weekly (1916-1917)

■THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY •17 ✓ ^rpHE BUGLER OF ALGIERS" is the fortyI fourth Bluebird Photoplay, and was written by Robert H. Davis, the editor of Munsey's Magazine in collaboration with Perley Poore Sheehan, and published under the title of "We Are French" in the All Story Magazine and later in book form. The scenario was prepared by Elliott J. Clawson and the play was produced by Rupert Julian, who plays one of the leads, with Ella Hall and Kingsley Benedict in the other principal roles. Dupont, who has loved Gabrielle ever since she was a tiny girl, but who has always been too shy to tell her so. The call to war comes, and the two young men are among the first to be summoned. They are members of a Zouave regiment, and are embarked at once for the scene of action in Algiers. They have time only for a hurried farewell, but Gabrielle finds a moment in which to promise her bashful lover that she will marry him on his return, if he will take her place in watching over Anatole. Anatole becomes the bugler of the regiment. During one of the skirmishes, he and Pierre become separated from their comrades, and fall into the hands of the Arabs. The Sheik, who sees the French troops almost exhausted, orders Anatole, his prisoner, to blow the retreat, oifering freedom for himself and his comrade, as the reward. Anatole raises the bugle to his lips, and blows, not the retreat, but the charge. The French are reanimated with courage, and the day is won. But Pierre and Anatole are not found by their comrades. They linger to give burial to the little drummer boy, who falls mortally wounded and dies in their arms. So a report of their death reaches the village, and the good Cure has to break the sad news to Gabrielle as best he can. Evil days fall upon the village. War comes, and the little place is invaded by hostile troops. A group of oflBcers is quartered in the cottage of Gabrielle. They order her to bring them wine; she does so, and they attempt to force her to drink a toast to their success. She takes the glass and throws the contents in the officer's face. Similar treatment from the patriotic women of the village angers the invaders and they set fire to the houses. Gabrielle sees her home reduced to ruins before At the top of the steps stood the hero. Instead of the retreat, Anatole blows the "Charge!" her eyes. She is offered a home by neighbors who are leaving that part of the country and goes with them. So, when their seven years are over, and the two Zouaves return to Miribel, nothing but desolation awaits them. Gabrielle has disappeared and try as they may they cannot find her out. They rebuild her cottage and settle down to live out their lives in the place of their happiest memories, earning a living as vine-dressers. Pierre never tires of recounting the tale of Anatole's bravery, and is supported in all his disappointments by the thought that some day his friend's heroism will be recognized by his country. At last the reward of his faith comes. Both are grown old, when one evening a message arrives for Anatole from the head of the Society for the Perpetuation of the Glory of France. There is to be a grand celebration, with the President of the Republic presiding in person, at which the decoration of the Legion of Honor is to be conferred on the patriot, Anatole Picard, for heroic conduct in Algiers, in the year 1871. Pierre is mad with delight at the fulfillment of his prophecy, but Anatole takes the event more calmly. He insists that, if they are to. make the journey to Paris, they shall make it like soldiers, on foot and in uniform. Pierre agrees, and the two old men set out on their long march. Pierre's enthusiasm bears him up, but Anatole begins to flag. He will not hear, however, of Pierre's suggestion that they take the train or a conveyance of any sort. He insists that they continue to march it. Constant telegrams from the almost distracted president of the Society meet them, but to all of them Anatole sends the same reply: "Anatole Picard will be there." At last they arrive on the outskirts of the city, and Anatole sinks down exhausted by the roadside. He hears an inner voice which assures him, "Anatole Picard shall have no decoration but from the President on high." Pierre, almost heart-broken, supports him to a wayside cottage, where the good people receive him and do their best for him. But the brave spirit cannot longer support the weak body, and Pierre sees his friend pass away before his eyes. Over the body, he takes a resolution, exclaiming: "Thou, comrade God, wilt understand!" Pierre goes on alone to Paris, where the guests are awaiting his arrival at the luncheon. The head of the Society is nearly out of his mind with suspense. The President of the Republic has arrived, and still no hero. As they sit down to the banquet the great doors at the end of the room open and, there, at the head of the flight of steps, stands an old man in the worn and travel-stained uniform of a Zouave private. A tremendous reception greeta him, he. is presented to the President, and tiie ribbon of the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, with the {Continued on page 21.)