|
Hulda the Silent
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Otis Turner
Cast: Lois Wilson [Hulda Anderson], Harry Carter [Captain Olaf Erickson], Bertram Grassby [John Johnson], Maude George [Thelma Johnson], Frank Smith [Jackson]
New York Motion Picture Company production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [101-Bison]. / Scenario by F. McGrew Willis, from a screen story by Otis Turner. / Released 20 May 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In a seaside Swedish village live Hulda Anderson and her invalid sister. Hulda and Captain Olaf Erickson have been sweethearts for some time. The doctor informs the invalid that there is a chance of her recovery provided they can get a certain costly wine, and Hulda decides to sacrifice even her dearest possessions to secure this for her sister. Several years before Johnson, one of the townsmen, emigrated to America. Through hard work he has became a successful farmer. He writes back to his home town for farm hands and several men prepared to go, among them being Olaf. He calls on Hulda to bid her good-bye and finds her gathering up her trinkets which she is determined to sacrifice. He is presented with one of them by the girl to remember her by, and he in return presents her with a miniature of his vessel, the “Norseman,” which had been lost. Olaf tells the girl that as soon as he has made enough money ahead he will send for her to join him in America. Johnson has a daughter, Thelma, who is going with a windmill salesman named Jackson. Her father is very much opposed to the association of the two. Jackson has cast a charm over the girl, however, and some time later she steals away from home and the two spend the night in a nearby tavern, unknown to her father. Olaf and his countrymen arrive. In order to break the attachment between the salesman and his daughter, Johnson looks over the men and decides that Olaf would be a good one in whom to interest his daughter. She admires Olaf when he arrives. Hulda’s sister has died, and she has secured work as cook with one of the families in the town. Jackson laughs at Thelma’s plea that he marry her and later she writes him a note threatening that should her father find out what is between them that Jackson would likely be killed. He tears up the note, and in turn writes her that she had better marry some of the country boys in order to protect herself. After months of toil Olaf saves up sufficient money and one night he writes Hulda a letter enclosing the money for her passage to America. Thelma comes in the room and begins to caress Olaf. Knowing the lateness of the hour, he is surprised and tries to avoid her, hiding the letter and money behind him. She virtually throws herself upon him, and unable to resist her near charms, he caresses her in turn. Her father who is returning from the stable opens the door and finds Thelma being apparently embraced by Olaf. He demands an explanation. She in turn whispers to him. Her father tells him that he could kill him for what he has done. Olaf, not really understanding the reference of Thelma’s father, still refuses to say a word in explanation. Johnson tells him that he must marry the girl. Thelma has secured the letter and the money and returning to her room, she sends them to Hulda. The wedding day is set for the day upon which Hulda will arrive from Sweden. Hulda receives the money and sets out for America, expecting to meet and marry Olaf. Olaf, not knowing that Thelma had sent the letter is not expecting her, and accordingly she arrives at the station and finds no one to meet her. The wedding party goes to the church. The station is closed and Hulda, having no place to go, wanders about until she sees the church, and goes inside to rest. Hulda falls asleep and wakens during the wedding ceremony. She sees Olaf and Thelma being married, and when he recognizes her she refuses to pay any attention to him. Thelma is accused by Olaf of having known of Hulda being there and tells him that the only reason she married him was to furnish a name for her child. Olaf then begins to understand the trick that has been played upon him. Five years pass. Thelma’s child is a healthy youngster, and while the parents are visiting a summer resort he is playing outside and is suddenly attacked and bitten by a mad dog. His screams bring Hulda to his rescue. Hulda has taken the job of cook at the hotel and has become known as “Hulda the Silent.” She is fixing the fire with a poker and runs to the child’s rescue. With the red hot poker she burns the infected wound on the child, and when the mother and father, accompanied by a physician, arrive, the doctor tells them that her prompt action has saved the child’s life. Thelma and Olaf recognize Hulda. Olaf starts to thank her, but she abruptly checks him and orders the two from the kitchen.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 10 November 2022.
References: Drew-Speaking p. 288 : Website-IMDb.
|
