Volume II: Filmography

THE LOVES OF DAVID COPPERFIELD

October 31, 1911 (Tuesday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Director: George O. Nichols

Scenario: From the story by Charles Dickens

Cast: Ed Genung (David Copperfield), Mignon Anderson (Dora)

Scenario: From Charles Dickens' novel of the same name

Note: This is the third reel in a three-part series, and was preceded by The Early Life of David Copperfield (October 17, 1911) and Little Em'ly and David Copperfield (October 24, 1911).

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, October 28, 1911:

"This chapter of David's life presents a simple study of character development. David's message to Dora, his 'doll-wife,' is unfortunate and does not result in happiness for either. Dora dies shortly after their marriage. David two years after the death of his first wife learns that Agnes is in love with him. He marries her and in the second matrimonial adventure he is more fortunate than in the first. The story of Uriah Heep's forgeries are threaded with David's love affairs. Loquacious Mr. Micawber also plays a prominent part in this chapter of the play."

SYNOPSIS (Part III), The Moving Picture World, October 28, 1911:

"Uriah Heep, the humble creature, loquacious Mr. Micawber, eccentric Aunt Betsey, Mr. Wickfield, the lawyer, Dora, the 'doll-wife,' lovelorn and sighing Agnes and the others all move about in a sphere totally Dickensian. The scenes are set in Mr. Wickfield's home and his office, the homes of Aunt Betsey and David, and the church in which David is married to Dora. The different incidents chosen for the reproduction helped to bring out forcibly the characteristics of the chief actors. The picture introduces the irrepressible Mr. Micawber, who is always waiting for something to 'turn up.' It covers a period of the story where David and his Aunt Betsey come to the office of Wickfield and Heep on a business transaction. Heep, the humble creature, is portrayed with utmost startling realism.

"Threaded with the machinations and forgeries of Uriah Heep and his final undoing through the sagacity and suspicions of Mr. Micawber, are David Copperfield's love affairs. David is much attached to Agnes and Dora, but Dora's doll-like face and childish manners captivate him and he marries her. The marriage does not turn out a happy one, for Dora is a poor housekeeper with little mentality and less adaptability. Dora dies shortly after her marriage and on her death bed she asks Agnes to marry David. Agnes is in love with David from the very first, and when he returns from a trip abroad, after the death of his wife, he learns of Agnes' love for him and he marries for the second time."

REVIEW (Part III), The Morning Telegraph, November 5, 1911:

"The Loves of David Copperfield is the complete title of this film which is the third and last of this Thanhouser Dickens series. In some respects it is a trifle more pleasing than the preceding reels, perhaps because some of the characters stand out more forcibly, notably those of Micawber and Uriah Heep; and it also gives an impression of being a bit more pretentious mechanically, though the first two parts were entirely adequate in this regard, for in atmosphere the Thanhouser Company has attained remarkable effects, both as to costumes and settings.

"But like its fellow offerings this last reel is in reality little more than a continuance of the tableaux - living illustrations to the text, save that the characters move about, which was not possible in the days when we delighted in 'wax works' performances. A subtitle and then the action following it, another sub-title and another scene, and so on until the end of the tale. This is not a slur upon the makers by any means, for little else could be accomplished in motion pictures with this particular Dickens story, which lacks rapid and vivid action of modern day literature, such as is contained in his A Tale of Two Cities, recently successfully made into a film. [This reference is to a three-reel Vitagraph film released in March of the same year.] This last reel takes in the planning of Uriah Heep to rob Aunt Betsey, the engaging of Micawber as a clerk in the counting house, the marriage of David and Dora, Micawber getting proof of Heep's forgery, David's wife proving herself a poor housekeeper. Dora becomes ill and sends for Agnes, on her deathbed Dora begs Agnes to wed David, after Dora's death David starts for abroad, two years later David returns. David learns of Agnes' love, and the tale ends in their embrace."

REVIEW (Part III), The Moving Picture World, November 11, 1911:

"This is the third in the David Copperfield series. A very great deal of matter is crowded into this part. It doesn't grip quite so powerfully as the first two parts, but that isn't saying that it is weak. It is very interesting and good. Taken as a whole, the three reels are very much worthwhile. The novel has been done before. No comparison is needed. Spectators may prefer this character as portrayed in one and that character as portrayed in the other. But most will be very pleased and delighted with these other motion pictures of our best novel."

MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT (Parts I, II, and III). Musical suggestions from the Colonial Theatre, West Hoboken, New Jersey, for the David Copperfield series were published in The Moving Picture World:

FIRST REEL:

1. Song of Comfort, by Charles Davidson (McKinley Publishing Company).

2. Charme d'Amour, by Edward F. Kendal (Witmark).

3. Temptation Waltz, by Henry Bauer (Bauer Music Company).

4. Heather Rose, by G. Lange, op No. 8. (McKinley Publishing Company).

5. Halcyon Waltz, by Gertrude Buck (Thompson Music Company).

SECOND REEL:

1. Good-bye, by F. Paolo Tosti (McKinley Publishing Company).

2. I Adore Thee, E. Van Alstyne (McKinley Publishing Company).

3. Dear Eyes, Dear Heart, by Paul B. Armstrong (McKinley Publishing Company).

4. Sweet Remembrance, by W.A. Pratt (McKinley Publishing Company).

5. Juanita, by T.J. May (McKinley Publishing Company).

6. Anchored, by Mitchell Watson (McKinley Publishing Company).

THIRD REEL:

1. My Lady's Bower, by Hope Temple (McKinley Publishing Company).

2. Golden Butterfly, by Reginald DeKoven (J.H. Remick).

3. Queen of My Heart, by Alfred Cellier (McKinley Publishing Company).

4. Moonlight Fancies, by T.H. Collinson (Oliver Ditson).

5. No Blossoms, by Abbie A. Ford (McKinley Publishing Company).

6. My Lady's Laughter, by Charlotte Blake (J.H. Remick) arranged by J.B. Lampe.

7. Only Once More, by Frank L. Moir (McKinley Publishing Company).

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