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The Merry Widow Waltz Craze
(1908) United States of America
B&W : 705 feet
Directed by Edwin S. Porter
Cast: (unknown)
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / From the operetta Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) by Franz Lehár with libretto by Leo Stein (Leo Rosenstein) and Victor Léon (Victor Hirschfeld). Cinematography by Edwin S. Porter. / © 29 April 1908 by Edison Manufacturing Company [H109962, H109963, H109964, H109965, H109966, H109967]. Released 29 April 1908. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? At the Theater: Mr. Lightfoot enters the theater box during the second act of the Merry Widow. Becomes enthusiastic over the popular Hungarian waltz. Picks up a chair and waltzes with it. Seizes a young lady occupant of the box and practices with her. He is hustled out by an usher. Home of Mr. Lightfoot: He arrives at an early hour in the morning; seizes his wife and dances around the bedroom, knocking over furniture. Next morning at breakfast his daughter invites him to hear her play a new air on the piano. He complies. The Merry Widow waltz again seizes the housemaid. Waltzes through parlor, hall and dining room. In the kitchen, the butcher boy plays the waltz on a mouth-organ. Lightfoot seizes the cook and again waltzes; interrupted by his angry wife. Music Knoweth No Color: Rushing from the house, he espies a hand-organ playing the waltz. Seizes a passing veiled lady; he madly waltzes down the street with her. He discovers he has been dancing with a colored lady. From Musical Bars to Iron Bar: In a café, a phonograph plays the air. He visits a music hall and a piano sends forth the same strains. Lightfoot cannot resist the temptation; secures a partner for a waltz; knocks over tables and chairs. A policeman grabs him; waltzes to the station with the officer and is finally waltzed into jail.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 7 December 2024.
References: Weinberg-Stroheim p. 137 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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