Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

192 THE .MOVING PICTURE WORLD "THE PROFLIGATE." A Tragic Subject Laid in the Days of Napoleon. Reviewed by Jas. S. McQuade. I enjoyed very much a private exhibition of ''The Profligate" at the Selig plant the other day. This him was produced by the Selig Western company, under the supervision of Francis Boggs, and is distinguished by finished acting, photographic effects of rare softness, and backgrounds of artistic beauty. The story, which introduces us to French characters, who played their parts in the time of the great Napoleon, is of the romantic type, and the plot is well connected and clearly developed in the pictures. The costumes of the period have been carefully reproduced and the prominent characters have been sustained with a nice appreciation of French politeness and mannerisms. Hobart Bosworth, in the title role, proves a dashing young captain of hussars, whose rich uniforms, distinguished Mercedes, the sister of Pauline, offers her services as a hospital nurse at the opening of hostilities. Her duties call her to a distant city. Captain Du Bois is seriously wounded in one of the opening engagements of the war and is carried to the hospital in which Mercedes works. He is assigned to her care and she learns to love the handsome soldier. She is ignorant of the secret marriage of her sister and he is equally ignorant of her relationship to Pauline, having never met her before. During the convalescence Du Bois discovers that his pretty nurse is interested in him and makes love to her. With guileless heart she believes in his honor and they are married. Shortly afterwards Mercedes, happy in her wedded life, invites her father and Pauline to visit her. Accompanied by the fencing master they arrive at the hospital, and are conducted to the home in which Mercedes has been living so happily. The sisters are happily engaged in conversation when the husband of Mercedes enters. To Pauline's horror Tragic Scene from "The Profligate" (Selig). bearing and good looks create havoc among women's hearts. The sword contest in the final scene, in which the faithless captain receives his death wound from the woman he has wronged, is spirited and realistic. Miss Eugenie Besserer, who takes the part of the wronged wife, sustains the character with fine force throughout. The old fencing master is another strong impersonation, for which Frederick Huntley merits creditable mention, while Miss Betty Harte is to be complimented for admirable work in the role of Mercedes. Notable scenes in the film are those showing the fete, the operation of a field battery during the war and the lake scene, where Mercedes in a demented condition attempts self destruction. The interior of the hospital, showing the care of the wounded brought from the front, also deserves more than passing notice. The opening scene shows Pauline, the eldest daughter of Monsieur Revere, taking a fencing lesson, the master betraying by his manner more than an ordinary interest in her progress. Later we see him propose to his skillful pupil, and note the manful deference shown her when she tells him that while he has her friendship he can never claim her love. Then the fete approaches, where Pauline meets Captain DuBois and is at once infatuated by his address and appearance. They are bethrothed. Shortly afterwards war breaks out and the captain is ordered to the front. Before departing he secretly marries Pauline. she discovers that he is none other than Captain Du Bois, to whom she had been lawfully married a few months before. The profligate captain immediately recognizes Pauline and hastily leaves the room, while she endeavors to conceal her agitation and the truth from Mercedes. We then see the false captain hand a letter to a boy, with instructions, and gallop furiously away. The letter is delivered to Pauline and she reads it in the presence of her sister, her father and the fencing master also being present. Her husband requests her to tell the truth to Mercedes and attempts to excuse his conduct by stating that he did not know that Mercedes was her sister. The closing words conveyed the news that he had gone out of their lives forever. The letter drops to the floor from Pauline's nerveless hand and is immediately picked up and read by Mercedes. For a moment she stands motionless and then falls unconscious to the floor. When she is revived, it is found that reason has fled. And now Pauline has only one object in life; it is to avenge her sister. She tells her old friend, the fencing master, that he must teach her all he knows of his art. and he gladly consents. After months of preparation Pauline decides that she is ready for the encounter. Disguising herself as a lieutenant of hussars and wearing a mask, she seeks out the betrayer of her sister. She is accompanied by the fencing master. Captain Du Bois is dis