Volume II: Filmography

THE WARD OF THE KING

August 26, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels (1,193 feet)

Character: Drama

Director: W. Eugene Moore

Cast: Florence LaBadie (ward of the king), James Cruze

Note: Thanhouser designated this film as two reels, although it was only 1,193 feet in length.

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, August 30, 1913:

"This tells of the days of the Fourteenth Louis of France when a noble could not contract marriage without the royal consent. A young noble fell in love with an orphan heiress, but as he stood in disfavor with the court, could not openly wed her, and their subsequent adventures are thrilling."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, August 30, 1913:

"In the days of Louis XIV of France, his nobles were not permitted to contract marriages without his consent. Particularly was this enforced in the case of orphan heiresses, whose hands were bestowed upon favorites of the monarch without the unfortunate young woman being consulted at all. Constance DuVallon inherited a large estate, and was deeply in love with a young gallant, whose home was near her home. This noble, however, was in disfavor with the court, and his suit was frowned upon. Finally the king commanded the girl to repair to court without delay and there wed one of his favorites, a dissipated count, whom she loathed. There was no opportunity to escape, for the message was brought by a detachment of the king's guards, ironically described as 'an escort of honor.' Shortly after Constance and her escort had departed, her suitor arrived at her home and was mad with grief on hearing what had happened. Declaring he would rescue her no matter what the odds, he set forth alone. Fortune favored him, for he came upon the party when they were resting at a wayside inn. The soldiers tried to capture him, but he fought them to a standstill, and aided by his plucky fiancée, escaped on horseback and outdistanced the servants of the king.

"The pursuit was hotly taken up, and the fugitives were trapped at the ocean front. Desperately they took to the water, captured a fishing boat and set forth to sea. After many privations they were picked up by a Dutch ship bound for Marehead, kindly treated, and a minister who was aboard made them man and wife. Their troubles were not over, for the ship was wrecked and the young wife and her husband were the only ones saved, drifting ashore on a piece of wreckage. A tribe of Indians captured them, and would have cruelly treated them had it not been for the peculiar bracelet the girl wore. She explained that the jewel had been given to her by an Indian chief she had befriended in France, and this fact changed her foes to friends, for the chief was one of their own tribe who had been sincerely loved. The future life of the young couple was happy, and the wife never regretted that she flouted the authority of the king to follow the fortunes of the man she loved."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, August 30, 1913:

"This romantic story in two reels impressed us as an unusually good offering of its kind. Florence LaBadie and James Cruze have the leading roles. The story begins with many carefully devised scenes at the French court in about the time of Louis XIV, it appeared. The ward escapes in boy's clothes and she and her lover go through many exciting adventures before reaching America. The costuming is commendable and the scenes handled nicely. Experiences on the sea were exciting, and the approach to American soil fills the observer with a warm glow of appreciation. The Indians had a rather 'stagy' look in their first grouping. A good offering."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, September 10, 1913:

"It is a historical fact that Indians were taken over to France and exhibited as curiosities during the early days of America, but we are inclined to doubt that they resembled those displayed in this picture. But there are enough virtues in film - the court scenes, the escape of the king's ward, and the landing in America - to make it pleasing. The shipwreck scene could be well cut out, as it is not realistic in the least. The king attempts to force a distasteful marriage on his ward. She, with her lover, escapes, and takes a boat to America. They are captured by Indians and are about to be burned when a charm worn on the wrist of the girl is observed. This was given to her by an Indian, whom she befriended in France, and its possession insures safety among the Indians. They are freed and become pioneers in the new country."

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