Volume II: Filmography

THE CAGED BIRD

June 3, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Cast: Marguerite Snow (the princess), William Garwood (the prince), James Cruze (the king), William Russell (the farmer), Emma L. Butler (the guard of honor)

Note: Some accounts incorrectly assigned Mignon Anderson to the title role.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, June 7, 1913:

The beautiful young princess was weary of the formality and ceremony that encompassed her. She had read many books and from them had gained the idea that she would be far happier as a simply peasant than as the daughter of a king. Even when it came to her marriage, she sadly reflected, there was no romance, for her father had arbitrarily contracted an alliance for her with a neighboring prince. The princess was taking her drive one day and was sadder than ever. She saw a wedding procession issue from a neighboring cottage, and pityingly watched the mother of the bride, as she turned into her lonely house. In the field the princess noticed a young farmer, and she thought that the romance which had been denied her might come into her life. By the time she returned to the castle she was pitying herself exceedingly, and had decided to be a caged bird no longer.

The princess secured a peasant's gown, and, well supplied with money, stole away from the palace, she thought forever. Before going she opened the cage of her pet canary and watched him fly away happy with his new-found liberty. In the life outside the castle the princess found she was handicapped by her ignorance. She gave alms to a crippled man, and he scandalized the community by spending it in riotous living. She met the young farmer and he horrified her by roughly kissing her. She procured a home with the mother of the bride and her money was stolen by that depraved old woman. Disillusioned, the princess returned to her castle. Just outside the gate she came upon the little bird she had set at liberty. It, too, had found itself unfitted for an adventurous life. Strange, fierce birds had attacked it, and the little canary was feebly trying to return to the castle, when its mistress came along. The bird was glad to be placed it its gilded cage again. The princess was glad to return to her old life, marry the prince, who was really a very decent young chap, and retain the place which her birth and breeding entitled her to fill.

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, June 8, 1913:

The story of this picture, but for its evident allegorical intention, would have fallen short of its mark. The work of Marguerite Snow with the opportunity afforded her is very charming. The role of the farmer has been played very acceptably by William Russell and that of the king by James Cruze.

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, June 14, 1913:

This is the story of a princess who pines to go out and live among the people. She releases her bird from its cage and runs away. Her experiences are unpleasant and later she returns. Marguerite Snow appears as the princess and William Garwood as the prince who eventually marries her. Entertaining and effectively pictured.

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, June 4, 1913: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

# # #