The Gold Mesh Bag
(1913) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: Ethel Grandin [Ethel], William Sloan, William Welsh, Tom McEvoy
Independent Moving Pictures Company, Incorporated [IMP] production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Gem]. / Released 8 September 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy-Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Harry Manning, the son of a fashionable family, is compelled to earn his own living because of money reverses. An old friend helps him obtain a position as floorwalker in a large department store. The employer, a very wealthy man, has a daughter who falls in love with Harry, and pursues him, but he, from the serene height of his aristocratic lineage, looks askance at her. She hits on a fine idea: She obtains a photo of him and one of herself and has a double print made, showing both on the same card. This wonderful scheme fails in its intent, and even makes him more distant than ever. Another wondrous scheme takes root in Ethel’s mind, whereby she may be able to obtain her heart’s desire. She conspires with two friends to impersonate two sneak-thieves. They are to come to the store, steal from her a gold mesh bag in such a manner that Harry can see, and capture them. She hopes this will bring him closer to her — but this preposterous idea works out exactly opposite to her wishes. The pseudo-thieves sneak the bag, but are seen by someone else. To make their getaway in the excitement, they pop the bag in the side pocket of the unsuspecting Harry. The bag is found in Harry’s pocket; he is accused and about to be arrested when Ethel breaks down and confesses that it was all a joke she planned. Her father forgives her, Harry is promoted, and at a birthday party given in her honor, Harry gives her another mesh bag containing an engagement ring. She joyously accepts and her father gives his consent.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 13 September 1913, p. ?] The Gem Company has a brilliant group of comedy players and what they can do is plainly shown in this offering. It is a farce and gets over as pleasurable entertainment on the work of its players rather than on the fun in its situation. As an offering it is good, for it is full of comical individualities, facial twists and mannerisms that are now conventional and now original, but almost always funny. Ethel Grandin plays the heroine with plenty of dark eyestabs with which she drives home comedy or tragedy according to her need. The others are not far behind in their support to her. It is an excellent offering. The tone of the photography is a bit harsh, but the pictures are clear.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 29 October 2022.
References: Slide-Aspects p. 32 : Website-IMDb.
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