Volume II: Filmography

ROBERT EMMET

March 17, 1911 (Friday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Scenario: Adapted from one of Thomas Moore's poems

Cast: Martin J. Faust (Robert Emmet); Julia M. Taylor (Sarah Curran), Mignon Anderson

Note: This film represented the first screen appearance for Thanhouser of actress Mignon Anderson, who was to go on to achieve great recognition with the company.

BACKGROUND OF THE SCENARIO: The Thanhouser film, Robert Emmet, was inspired by poetry written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852), the son of an Irish grocer, who was born and raised in Dublin. His education was secured at Trinity College, where he was a contemporary of Robert Emmet, and where the latter became inspired by Moore's song, Let Erin Remember. The two were close friends, and Moore used Emmet's love affair with Sarah Curran as the basis for two songs, She is Far From the Land Where Her Young Hero Sleeps and Oh, Breathe Not His Name, but young Miss Curran was not to wed Emmet, and eventually she found greater love with another suitor. Moore's primary work, Irish Melodies, was created over a long span of years, 1801-1834, and included the preceding. The lyrics therein earned him the sobriquet "The Bard of Ireland." A good musician with a knack for rhyme and writing, he also wrote satires, epistles, biographies, odes, and miscellaneous poems. A number of Moore's songs achieved prominence in America and were heard in music and concert halls, Chautauquas, and other places where people gathered to sing. Included were The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls and the more familiar Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms. In 1817 his narrative poem, Lalla Rookh, was published and was acclaimed as a masterpiece, only to fall into oblivion decades later, but not before it became the theme of a pageant later in the century by noted American showman P. T. Barnum.

Robert Emmet, the subject of the Thanhouser film and of certain of Moore's lyrics, was born in Dublin in 1778, the son of Robert Emmet, physician to the lord lieutenant. Although he distinguished himself academically at Trinity College in Dublin, he ordered that his name be stricken from college records in April 1798, as a protest to the activities of Lord Clare, chancellor of the University, who interfered with the students' political activities. By April 1799 a warrant for his arrest was issued, after which he went to France, remaining there through 1802, where he met with members of the United Irishmen who had been exiled in 1798 and had enlisted French support for a new political effort. Meeting with Napoleon in Paris in October 1802, Emmet was led to believe that the accord of Amiens would be violated soon and that French forces would invade England in August 1803. Dissention among the Irish insurgents in France resulted in uncertainty on the political scene. Emmet went to Ireland and in 1803 marshaled forces there and laid plans for a revolt. In the meantime his brother, Thomas, was in Paris enlisting the aid of Napoleon and Talleyrand. While Robert was gathering munitions and enlisting confederates to his cause, the government discovered his arms cache, forcing him to act quickly. Poorly organized, his hastily arranged insurrection was a complete failure. For the next several weeks he remained in hiding, not far from Sarah Curran, to whom he was engaged. The end came on August 25, 1803, when he was captured. Subsequently he was convicted of treason, and on September 20, 1803 he met his death on the gallows. His enthusiasm, brash fighting for a lost cause, and reckless gallantry earned him the position of a romantic hero in Irish history, inspiring not only Moore but numerous others as well.

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, March 11, 1911:

"A subject of actual historical importance, one that stamps a motion picture as an absolute educational force. As such it will add tone to your place and go far to refute the local Picture Pounders. You have in this a reel that will teach more about the momentous Emmet... This 15 minutes of film really describes Emmet's part in Ireland's great fight better than all the lengthy discourses of Patrick's Day. It is remarkable for its wide appeal. Not only will the Irish have an American enthuse over the stirring tale it tells, but the lover of liberty everywhere will feel its appeal, the student of history (we all are, nowadays) will like it for the history in it, and the lover of love stories will like it for the entrancing love story that it is."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, March 18, 1911:

"Robert Emmet, although he died at the age of 25, made a record that will always keep his memory green among his countrymen. From his boyhood his heart was set on freeing Ireland from English rule. He entered Trinity College and made a brilliant name for himself there, but was expelled through the discovery of his affiliation with the United Irishmen. He spent several years in exile, during which period he was received by Napoleon, whom he tried unsuccessfully to interest in the Irish cause. Returning to his native land, he headed an uprising which failed. He escaped with several of his followers, but despite their protest returned to see his sweetheart, Sarah Curran, and was captured by the British soldiers. While in prison he shielded Sarah from the prying authorities, and offered to plea guilty if she was not subject to official annoyance. Despite all efforts to save him, he was executed in Dublin. The pathetic love story of Emmet and Sarah Curran is a page in history that will never be forgotten by their countrymen."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 19, 1911:

"A fine subject for release on St. Patrick's Day, and one in this instance which is deserving of praise, with some criticisms. The story of the life of Emmet 'gets over' is a fact to be commended. Now for details: In the Napoleon scene it would have been much better to have had Emmet introduced in a more formal manner. No one actually introduced him, and the Emperor paid practically no attention to him. If he could have secured an audience he could have secured a hearing, and the mission he was on was of sufficient importance. The exterior of Dublin Castle could have been improved, and the attack very greatly so. It looked amateurish. The last scene in the jail yard was not very good as to the actors shown. How comes it that we see a file of soldiers, a goodly throng of woman folk and but two men, one of them Emmet and the other the father of his sweetheart? How did the women get in? And if a public execution, where were the male members of society? It is just such attention to detail which draws the line between a very fine offering and one which just passes. But the effort was praiseworthy and shows that the makers are in the right direction."

REVIEW by Walton, The Moving Picture News, March 25, 1911:

"As to the acting and photography, I have nothing to say. The staging under the conditions is good. Beyond that I do not wish to write, save to remark that a student of history learns enough lessons to remember an old proverb - audi alteram partem. I have with deep regret noticed that this firm has of late given indications of 'taking sides' in matters theological and national. The film must be neither an advertisement of sects nor of political opinions."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 1, 1911:

"An interesting sketch of this famous Irish patriot, released for St. Patrick's Day. It is well acted and well staged and is a worthy picture in every sense. Robert Emmet and his misfortunes appeal to every patriot, and whether a man be an Irishman or not, this picture will arouse the best impulses of his nature. That he was captured because he went to see his sweetheart adds another romantic element which will make the picture even more attractive. The film gives a fair resumé of the principal events in his dramatic life."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 22, 1911:

"It would be hard to enumerate the many excellences of this film, but it is decidedly an impressive and dignified presentation of Irish history, and at the same time gives a vital and interesting story. It begins with Emmet's speech at Trinity College, which inspires the love of Sarah Curran, but also inspires the hate of the college authorities, who expel him. He then goes to France to obtain help from Napoleon, but being denied, returns to Ireland, and with a small force makes an unsuccessful raid on Dublin Castle. He is captured by a ruse and hung for high treason. The production is well staged and costumed, while the make-up of Emmet and Napoleon are strikingly true to famous pictures of these characters; in fact, the entire picture shows much thought and care."

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