Volume II: Filmography

THE TANGLED CAT

(Princess)

February 13, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,000 feet)

Character: Comedy

Director: Carl Louis Gregory

Assistant director: M. Perry Horton

Scenario: John William Kellette

Cameraman: Carl Louis Gregory

Cast: Fan Bourke (Martha), Muriel Ostriche (Rose Marie, her niece), Ed Ford (Jim, Silas Miller's hired man), Carey L. Hastings (Miller's wife), Boyd Marshall (Miller's nephew from the city), J.F. Schubert (Perry, Silas Miller's son)

Notes: 1. The title appeared in some notices, including in a synopsis in Reel Life, February 7, 1914, as A Tangled Cat. 2. The detailed cast list in Reel Life, February 7, 1914, did not identify who played the role of Silas Miller, neighbor of Martha and Rose Marie.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 7, 1914:

"Martha, a country spinster, lives with her very pretty niece, Rose Marie. Their neighbor, Silas Miller, has a family reunion, and, in order to accommodate all the guests, he asks Martha and Rose to take in his hired man, Jim, overnight. They consent - but when they have gone to their room, Martha confesses to her niece that she is afraid of the hired man and intends to sit up. Rose laughs at her - but scarcely is she in bed before they begin to hear strange sounds on the other side of the partition. They soon conclude that Jim is rummaging the wardrobe, meaning to steal their belongings. Then from the kitchen below come still stranger sounds, stealthy and terrifying. The noises and the women's fears increase. At last they can stand it no longer, and they flee the house. The fugitives arrive at the reunion with the bloodcurdling tale of Jim's treachery. Silas, seeing his hired man running back down the road the women have recently taken, shoots at him. Meanwhile, Ben, the city nephew, has lost his heart to Rose Marie. He insists on escorting the ladies home. On their return they bravely break into the kitchen - to find the cat, plastered over with sticky fly paper, cavorting around the room in wild efforts to free herself. Everybody laughs heartily - but Ben solemnly declares that Rose Marie needs a protector, and that if she will have him, he will assume the responsibility of her safety for the rest of his days."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, February 15, 1914:

"A cat which accidentally connects with some fly-paper causes the excitement that lends so much humor to this story. In the cast are Fana Bourke, Muriel Ostriche, Ed Ford, Boyd Marshall and J.F. Schubert. It is a very well done comedy, and should make a hit."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 28, 1914:

"This is a really neat little comedy and caused great laughter among the reviewers. The actors seemed to catch the spirit of the situations and succeeded in bringing out all the points artistically. There is a funny situation that is too good to reveal, but it is worth seeing. It is finely directed, and the scenes well photographed. It is a picture anyone will enjoy. Muriel Ostriche, Boyd Marshall, Fan Bourke, Eddie Ford, and a strong cast of supporters foist this fine little offering upon the public. Do it again, Mr. Director."

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