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Kathleen Mavourneen
(1913) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Herbert Brenon
Cast: Jane Fearnley [Kathleen Mavourneen], William E. Shay [Terence O'Moore], William Welch [Squire Bernard Kavanagh], Frank Smith, Robert V. Ferguson, F.A. Turner (Fred Turner)
Independent Moving Pictures Company, Incorporated [IMP] production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Carl Laemmle. Scenario by Herbert Brenon, from [?] a play by Dion Boucicault and/or the song “Kathleen Mavourneen” by Annie Crawford (lyrics) and Frederick Williams Nichols Crouch (music)? / Released 17 March 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Kathleen is in love with Terence O’More. Both are in humble circumstances. The two lovers are among those who are entertained on rent day by Squire Bernard Cavanaugh. The squire makes love to Kathleen. She accepts his attentions and also from him a ring. When Terence later calls on his sweetheart she treats him with scant courtesy. A messenger from the squire brings a proposal of marriage. Bernard says he will call the following morning for his answer. Terence throws the note to the floor and leaves. That night Kathleen reclines by the fireplace and falls asleep. In the morning the squire calls and is accepted. The marriage is to take place that day. Bernard sends Red Barney to engage a man to don a priest’s robe and perform a false marriage. Barney engages his man, but quarrels with him. The result is the injury of Barney’s opponent, who sends for Father Daly. The priest learns of the intended deception. He decides to perform the ceremony himself. Bernard tires of his peasant wife. He writes her a note that he desires to marry someone else. As a maid bears to the wife in an adjoining room his message, Father Daly calls seeking funds for the parish. He hears the cry of the wife and follows the husband to the room. Bernard admits to the priest that Kathleen is not his wife. The priest tells the distressed woman that she is the true wife of the squire; that he himself performed the ceremony, and produces the certificate. Bernard tries another tack. He engages Red Barney and two other cut-throats to repair to the foot of the Black Crag, there to dig a grave and to be prepared to commit a murder. Later the squire takes Kathleen for a carriage ride. Terence, up in the cliff, sees the men below digging. He drops stones among them to their great fright. When the old sweetheart sees the three men assailing Kathleen he leaps down the rocks and jumps in among the murderers. He disposes of the three men and grapples with Bernard. In the struggle the squire is killed. A passing file of soldiers arrests Terence. The trial that follows results in the sentence to death of the peasant. There are sad scenes in the following days. Kathleen is disconsolate. With her father she calls on her old lover and there is a tearful farewell. The priest enters to prepare the condemned man for the execution. Through the village street the procession passes, Terence and the priest in the cart, which is driven to a point under the gallows. The soldiers hold back the people. The rope is adjusted. The picture fades. It is St. Patrick’s Day morning. Kathleen is asleep by the fireplace. She rubs her eyes and runs to the door. Terence enters. The girl throws her arms about him. She embraces him again and again. Kathleen is finally convinced by the happy lover that she really has been dreaming. Bernard calls for his answer. Terence takes from Kathleen the ring and returns it to the squire. Then he announces his engagement. The squire congratulates him. The festive villagers throng in. The chickens, the rabbits and the pig are sent scurrying. There is an impromptu dance right there and all ends merrily.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 November 2022.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.2334 : Website-IMDb.
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