|
Across the Court
(1914) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Allen Curtis
Cast: Max Asher [Shultz], Louise Fazenda [Mandy], Gale Henry [Miss Prime], William Franey (Billy Franey) [‘Second Story’ Steve], Sam Kaufman [Blitz, the cop]
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Joker Comedies]. / Released 17 October 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Miss Prime waited long for Shultz to propose. At last he sends her a note wherein he writes of his love in ardent words. He sends this note across the court, via the clothes line. The old maid receives it and hastens to write a return message of acceptance. Shultz waits in nervous expectancy. His eyes are suddenly attracted to a beautiful young girl, Mandy, who is seated in another window across the court. She is a dream. With Miss Prime, she cannot be compared. Shultz decides to forget about her. He makes love to Mandy and finds that she returns his affections. Miss Prime is torn with jealousy. When Shultz and Mandy return from their honeymoon, she swears to be avenged. She warns Shultz of her intentions. Shultz is filled with alarm. He sends Mandy away and awaits the coming of the terrible old maid. Second-story Steve enters Shultz’s room. The latter hides, terrified, in a closet. Meanwhile Miss Prime, coming furious and determined, meets an old beau, Blitz, the cop. Her dire purpose is forgotten in her new catch. But Shultz, hiding, does not know this. Mandy returns home. She runs into Steve and, terrified, rushes for the police. Shultz hears and thinks Steve has scared away the old maid. He comes from his hiding place and suitably rewards the flabbergasted burglar. Mandy returns with Blitz, the cop and Miss Prime, but Shultz aids Steve to escape. At sight of the old maid, Shultz thinks the end has come. He is greatly surprised and relieved when Miss Prime turns up her nose at him.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 17 October 1914, page ?] A Max Asher issue with a number of pleasing comedy stunts in it. The flirtations across the court of the apartment house were very amusing. Max turns down the old maid after proposing to her and marries Louise. The low comedy characterizations in this are unusually good. The close is not quite up to the opening scenes in interest.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 26 November 2022.
References: Braff-Short n. 87 : Website-IMDb.
|
