Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1914-02-06
WAGNER'S CAREER
IN PICTURE FILMS
intensely Interesting Drama Is Con
Structed From Real Life Incl
dents in Career of the I'M
mortal Composer

Practically all that is worth know
ing of the many-chaptered history of
the immortal composer, Richard
Wagner, whose life story the cine
matograph now is proving is as
thrilling and interesting a drama as
could be constructed from the fan
cies of the ablest playwright, is told
in the run of the motion picture,
The Life of Richard Wagner"
which will be the film attraction eX-
traordinary at the Pullman theater
next Thursday and Friday. While
the big feature film is most valuable
from the theater's standards be-
cause of the thrill and high dramatic
interest of its action and narrative
it COmpels recognition as an educa-
tional factor of striking worth. The
spectator while viewing the film pri-
narily with the object of being en-
tertained by diversified and color
full, spectacular action, unconscious
ly absorbs a complete and most i'm
pressive volume of authentic infor-
nation about this man who was one
OF the worlds greatest geniuses.
The whole presentation cunningly is
designed to convey a Wagnerian at
mosphere, an environment that will
heighten appreciation of every phase
of the interesting story told on the
screen. The performance carries
with it an organ concert, the score"
for which is a special arrangement
of the great gems from the most eel
ebrated of the Wagner operas. A
narrator throughout the run of the
picture, from notes obtained by a
searching study of everything ever
written on the masters life, explains
every detail of the action. The
whole performance occupies about
two hours, the usual time required
for the big productions of the legiti-
mate stage.
A thumbnail biography of Wagner
is comprised by the main general
headings of the more important di-
visions of the action in these pic
lures, a summary of which follows:
Part One
AT the age of eight Wagner played
for his dying step-father. When 16
he studied with Cantor Weinlig
Then follows period of dissipation.
In 1884 he is offered the position of
conductor of the Lauchstadt opera.
He first refuses, but meeting the
leading actress, Wilhelmina Planer,
he accepts. In 1886 he is conductor
at Konigsberg, and marries
"Minna' They quarrel over his
characteristic eXtravagances, but are
reconciled in time to greet their
friends.
Part Two
In 1888 Wagner is conductor at
Riga. While rehearsing he is in
terrupted by creditors. Assisted by
HIS Ii C1di NlCAlClS iC CluhtO LllClIt
and the Cossack sentries. He reaches
a German seaport, where he boards
a small sailing vessel and starts for
Paris. During the voyage a terrific
storm inspires THE Flying Dutch
man" Arriving in Paris he calls
upon Meyerbeer and plays parts of
"Rienzi' for him. Meyerbeer gives
him letters, one of them to the
director of the Paris opera, who,
however, refuses to do anything. He
calls upon List, who receives him
cordially. Minna is disheartened by
his failures, but when things are at
their worst he receives a letter from
his brother-in-law calling him to
Dresden to produce "Rienzi"
Part Three
"Rienzi" is successfully produced
in 1912, and at the age of 30 Wag-