Paramount Press Books (1918)

CAST AND STORY OF “MY COUSIN” For Use of Exhibitors in Their House Organs or For General Publicity An Artcraft Picture Delightful Story Provided for Enrico Caruso^ s First Appearance in Artcraft Pictures ^^My Cousin^^ Famous Tenor Plays Two Roles in Photoplay Both of which Are Dramatic and Afford Celebrated Operatic Star Abundant Opportunities for the display of his , Genius as Actor Mario Nanni, a poor artist who makes models for plaster casts, is employed by Luigi Veddi. He is a kindly man and much loved in Little Italy. Mario is proud of being the cousin of Cesare Carulli, the famous tenor, although he has not seen the latter since he was a child. Mario loves Rosa Ventura, the cashier in her father’s restaurant, and although she flirts occasionally with Bombardi, proprietor of a fruit and vegetable stand, she shows a decided preference for Mario. Her father however, favors Bombardi, who has a good bank account, and he cannot see how Mario’s cousinship with the great Carulli, can keep the spectre of starvation from his door. Mario buys two seats to the opera one day, and Bombardi, stunned by such munificence, openly casts doubt upon Mario’s relationship to the great tenor. Rosa, however, accompanies Mario to the opera and Bombardi’s jealous soul is stirred to its depths. Carulli is given a great reception at the performance of Pagliacci,” and when the tenor provides seats for a number of Italian sailors, enthusiasm is unbounded. After the opera, Mario takes Rosa to a restaurant where they meet the sailors. Carulli, attired in old clothes, comes later “MY COUSIN” The Cast Mario Nanni, as Artist ) Cesare Carulli, a Tenor j Enrico Caruso Robert Bombardi Henry Leone Rosa Ventura, Carolina White Pietro Ventura, Joseph Ricciardi Luigi Veddi . . . A. G. Corbelle Secretary Bruno Zirato Ludovico Master William Bray and none recognizes him as he takes a side table and watches the others unobserved. Emboldened by the wine he has drunk, Mario asks Rosa to marry him when his prospects improve and she assents. He suggests a toast to Carulli and all start to drink. Carulli rises to leave. In passing Mario the latter oflfers him a glass, but he declines it and indicates clearly that he has little love for the famous tenor. Mario is abashed, and consternation seizes him when he learns that the stranger was Carulli himself. Bombardi triumpantly declares that Mario’s alleged relationship to the tenor is false, inasmuch as Carulli had failed to recognize him. Rosa becomes angry at Mario and refuses to listen to him, while the others laugh at him. Mario calls upon Carulli the next day, carrying a cast of the tenor’s head. When he is finally admitted to Carulli’s presence, he fails to give a coherent reason for his visit, and Carulli is convinced that Mario seeks to have his voice tried out. But Mario makes such a bad job at his vocal effort, that Carulli orders him to be thrown out of the place. In his confusion, Mario leaves his cast behind and it is later found by Carulli and greatly admired. Mario returns home greatly discouraged and that night he nearly comes to blows with Bombardi who insults him. He is ordered out of the restaurant by Ventura and there is a scene of great excitement. When Ludovico hears of Mario’s distress, he seeks Carulli and when the tenor hears the boy’s story, he goes with him to Bombardi’s stand to vindicate him. Meanwhile Bombardi seeks to kiss Rosa while they are walking in the street and when Mario witnesses this he gives Bombardi a thrashing, and then takes Rosa to his studio. Carulli arrives with Ludovico and orders him to finish his bust. At last Mario’s position as the tenor’s cousin is established and he and Rosa happily embrace. 5