The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-30
Historical Drama at Elite.

Historical drama AT EliIC'
For the first picture made in their
huge American plant at Fort Lee, n.
j., and acted by American actors. the
Eclair Film Co. Of Paris has chosen
very fine and appropriate subject, the
story France has played in America
struggle for freedom in 1176. The Him
has produced massive film drama in
two reels of 1000 feet each, contain
ing great battle scenes and picturing
the surrender of CORVALLIS. AS the
forty and odd scenes of the picture
change rather quickly, one may do
we'll to read the following synopsis
before viewing the picture:
On the 3rd of July, 1775, at Cam
bridge, Washington took command OF
the Continental army. Franklin was
dispatched to France for aid Silas
Deane, his wife and daughter, were on
the ground. Deane and Franklin
found enthusiastic allies in Count de
Rochambeau and Marquise de La
fayette. Through their good influence,
Vergennes, the minister of foreign af-
fairs, was interested. Montraville,
English representative in the French
court, and Rochambeau were rivals for
Grace Deane's hand.
At an audience with King Louis
XVI, when assistance was refused.
Lafayette and Rochambeau offered
their services to the cause Of American
liberty. Ships were equipped and
soldiers armed at their own expense,
and the expedition started out to the
new world. Franklin and Deane re-
turned to their own country.
Montraville, disappointed at Grace
Deane's departure with her father,
went back to England, resigned his of
flee and secured a commission in the
army. Before he sailed, he met Char
lotte Temple. and persuaded her to
elope with him.
Washington welcomed the arrival OF
Lafayette and Rochambeau, who were
given important commands.
Rochambeau and Lafayette found
time to visit Grace Deane. Their visit
We're alone and defenselesS, and their
home was about to be searched for a
secret messenger. Montravil1e was in
charge Of the searching party. La
fayette and Rochambeau succeeded in
sending the messenger on his way.
The air was portentious with the
rumors of war. The colonists fiocked
to the side of Washington. When La
fayette's men were struggling with a
heavy cannon on q steep road, Farmer
Brown unhitched his oxen from the
pillow and rushed to their assistance.
Wayne and Lafayette were given
command. Lee refused, but afterward
changed his mind and headed an i'm
portant force. Supported by Lafayette,
Washington led the attack on Clinton
and Monmouth. Clinton CALAMITY re-
turned the charge. Washington Sc
cures a glorious victory over Clinton
at Monmouth.
The general rejoicing is suddenly
checked by the news of Benedict Ar
nold's treason at West Point. Major
Andre is caught as a spy, within the
American lines, and a secret message
is found concealed in his boot. He is
hanged as spy, while Arnold escapes.
Grace Deane finds Charlotte Temple
in a pitiabl state. A child born to
her and she is in the EXTREMIST pow
erty. Miss Deane takes her home and
while she S convalescing, fate sends
Montraville their way. His perfidy
was to omuch for the youthful mother,
so she died.
This all served to bring Grace Deane
and Rochambeau closer together. He
vowed if chance threw him in his way
to punish Montraville as he deserved.
Lafayette was stationed near York
town, where he caused no end of
trouble to CORVALLIS, who occupied
the town.
Washington, reinforced by Rocham-
beau, made a quick maneuver. out
witted Clinton at New York, and was
well on his way for concerted action
at Yorktown before the enemy realized
his intention. CORVALLIS was in
state of seige. He made a gallant
charge against Washington in the
open, but was met with too forceful
a resistance. While the battle was
raging, Rochambeau espied Montra-
vile. These two engaged in hand to
hand combat. Rochambeau finally
conquered.
Lafayette, wounded, retires to a
block house for protection. 1t IS
heavily attacked by the English
Knowing he is the prize the English
are after, he gathers his men around
him and says, place a mushet in my
hands and place me before the door;
they will all fire on me, and while
their guns are empty, dash through
them and away" Reluctantly they
obey. He falls at the first shot, his
comrades dash out to freedom. He is
lust about to be captured, when Wash
ingtOn's victorious troop dashes up
and rescues him. The victory is com
plete. CORVALLIS surrenders to Wash
ington.