Volume II: Filmography

EXTRAVAGANCE

Advertisement from the Moving Picture World, March 2, 1912. (F-310)

March 5, 1912 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Director: George O. Nichols

Cast: Florence LaBadie (the spendthrift daughter), William Russell (her sweetheart)

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, March 2, 1912:

"For photofans who like truth. Extravagance was the last film made in the home studio by the company now in Florida, and as the director said: 'We'll make our leave-taking memorable with this!' So you may look for SOME picture here! Every player in it worked with a vim that showed he wanted to leave a testimonial behind him, and we - whose word is always good with you - ask you to 'ask your exchange man' right away."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture News, February 24, 1912:

"When a man has a daughter of whom he is very fond, it is no more than natural that he should try to give her every advantage and all the pretty clothes she needs. The trouble is that sometimes his love leads him into extravagance he cannot afford. A prosperous merchant in a village thought his child the most wonderful girl in the world, and could deny her nothing. She tired of the monotony of country life, and wanted to go to a fashionable city finishing school. He sent her. She found that she needed more money for dress and amusement. He gave it to her, and felt repaid when she came back home, a perfect type of city girl. The old house would not do for her, so the father built a mansion. He bought her an automobile, furs, and everything she desired. In fact, he was like a slave of Aladdin's lamp, she simply had to express a wish and it was gratified.

"The trouble was, however, that this modern slave of the lamp did not have an inexhaustible fortune. He became involved financially, trying to make his daughter happy, and soon affairs came to a crisis. In their magnificent home, the girl gave a party. Some of the guests were her old neighbors, others her new city friends. They decidedly did not mix and the village folk felt put out, especially the spiteful daughter of the local magnate. This girl made her displeasure known to her father, and he willingly decided to help her. The 'slave' was heavily indebted to him, and the magnate informed him that he must pay up his loans without delay or he would be sold out, lock stock, and barrel. After the guests had departed, the foolish father reviewed his financial condition. Hopeless bankruptcy confronted him. His only asset was a life insurance policy for a large amount, payable at his death, so he decided to make his last sacrifice for the child he loved so fondly.

"The girl had a suitor, a village youth, and her childish sweetheart, whom she had shamefully neglected and snubbed after she began her career of extravagance. This young man reached the house in time to prevent a tragedy. The broken-hearted old man, unnerved, told of his troubles, and the other promptly offered to pay the debts, although it would practically leave him penniless. This act of unselfish generosity is witnessed by the girl. She is not really bad, only thoughtless, and the discovery of the trouble she has caused her loving father causes her to determine to forsake her foolish extravagant ways. She doffs her fine gowns, arrays herself in the simple garments she had once despised, and decides to be 'the real head of the firm.' Incidentally, she wins the love of a true man, and her life is peaceful, happy, and free from extravagance."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 10, 1912:

"It is possible to view this as an acted drama of the legitimate stage, and though it will be seen by quite as many folk as a photoplay, its good influence could be still wider were it thus developed. An extravagant country girl is spoiled by her father, who gives her everything she craves, from an expensive education to a big house and luxurious clothes. The financial strain brings about his ruin and he is about to take his own life that she may inherit his insurance when he is prevented by the girl's lover, who offers to do his best to rehabilitate the lost fortunes. The girl changes her ways and promises to marry the lover. It could hardly have been staged with more care as to detail nor could it have been acted much better."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 16, 1912:

"This picture's first scene is in the back country drygoods store and its heroine is the proprietor's daughter (played by Miss LaBadie). She goes to boarding school and comes back with rather extravagant ideas. Her father has to mortgage his store so that she can run an automobile, the wonder of the countryside. It is a case of 'keeping up with Lizzie.' The daughter has a rude awakening and goes back to simple ways. It is an unusually pleasing picture. It has the right atmosphere and true humor, and is acted very naturally and well. The picture is wholesome and will serve as a good feature on any occasion, even for Sunday schools. The photographs are good."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 13, 1912:

"While one may have the feeling that the main issues of this little drama are carried a bit too far, that it is a bit overemphasized, one also feels, with the exception of some of the exaggerated country types, that the film both expresses character and presents a most excellent atmosphere in acting, general treatment, and settings. The country store keeper sends his daughter to a fashionable boarding school, from which she returns a pampered and extravagant creature. Her father attempts to gratify all her wishes, which include a new and fashionable home and an automobile. He is unable to meet the mortgage he has been obliged to place upon his store, and the lover of the girl, who has proven himself a thrifty young man, gives him a check for the amount. The girl becomes aware of the state of affairs and realizes the error of her position. This scene played with understanding and conviction would seem to be enough to prove this without the concluding scene, showing her now in simple garb back in the store. While the main characters are well drawn and enacted, it would seem that a more compelling whole would have been realized had the scenario itself shown some character development in giving all the explanation for the characteristic acts."

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