River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-10-09
Films ViVidIy Tell Prisoner of
zenda, Story
At The Gem Theatre Saturday, Oct. II

The Prisoner of Zenda," with
James K. Hacket in the double role
of the true and the false king of the
fanciful Ruritania, containing all
the thrills of the original drama,
was produced yesterday afternoon
in motion pictures by the Famous
Players Film Company at a private
view in the Lyceum Theatre. The
production will shortly be opened
to the public, and it is safe to pre-
dict that it will be one of the big
gest of all hits in the history of the
film play.
1t was fit coincidence that "The
Prisoner of Zenda," originally
made famous by Mr.. Hackett at the
old Lyceum Theatre on Fourth
avenue and Twenty-fourth street,
under the management of Daniel
Frohman, should have had it's
initial presentation in Mr.. Froh-
mans new Lyceum Theatre. 1t
was under his direction that the
films were taken.
Edwin S. Porter, technical direc-
tor of the Famous Players Com
pany, and Adolph Zukor, its presi-
dent, all had their share i'll making
this series of reels the unqualified
success it has proved to be.
In little talk to Gne audience MIR.
Frohman expressed his views of
the field of the motion picture and
of what it would do toward pre-
serving the art of the great actors
of the day.
WILDLY TELLS STORY.
In vivid fashion the films tell the
story of Rudolf Rassendyll, a young
Englishman in whose viens flows
the same blood as that of his rel
alive, Rudolf, King of Ruritania.
This has resulted in a startling
physical resemblance between the
two.
Duke Michael, a cousin of the
king, known as "Black Michael" is
plotting to secure the throne
for himself and marry the Princess
Flavia. Rassendyll, who, finding
the hotels of Strelsau, the capitol,
overcrowded, due TO the coming
coronation, has ordered lodgings
at an inn in the village of Zenda.
He goes to Ruritania to see his dis
tant cousin crowned. But "Black
Michael" has drugged the King and
imprisoned him in dungeon at
Zenda. His loyal followers per-
suade Rassendyll to accept the
crown temporarily to thwart "Black
Michael" The latter is suddenly
confronted and confused by the
presence of Rassendyll, whose re-
semblance TO the King deceives his
ambassadors and ministers, and
who is readily accepted as the
Royal Rudolph.
INSTANTLY FALLS IN LOVE
In the meantime Rassendyll meets
the Princess Flavia. who immed-
lately observes subtle contrast in
his sturdy, wholesome, attractive
qualities from the selfish and self
indulgent proclivities of the King.
She forces herself to realize that
the real King has undergone a
great change in the last few days.
Gradually she learns to love him
and Rudolph falls instantly in love
with the gentle Flavia.
From that moment a series of
thrilling plots and counterpIots fol-
low each other in rapid and stirring
sequence. The attempt of Mich
ael and his men to kill the King,
the entrance Of Rassendyll into
the dungeon at Zenda, where he
finds the Royal Rudolph in a state
of mental agony and physical col
lapse, the wounding of Rassendyll
through treachery, the killing of
BLACK Michael" are told in a SER
les of lucid and effective tableaux.
The final scene between Rassen-
| dyll and the Princess Flavia is
dominated by a gentle touch of
sentiment, mingled with pathetic
hopelessness, when Rudolph tells
her he is not the King. They part
because "love is not all"
At the Gem Theatre, Saturday,
October, IL.