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His Masterpiece
(1909) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 545 feet
Directed by Bannister Merwin
Cast: Florence Turner
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / From a short story by O. Henry. / © 12 November 1909 by Edison Manufacturing Company [J134773, J13477, J134775, J134776]. Released 12 November 1909; in a split-reel with A Man with Three Wives (1909). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In “His Masterpiece,” the Edison Company has depicted the struggles of an old musician. His larder empty, his last coin gone, he gets an inspiration for a composition that will be heard and will make him famous in the utmost corners of the universe. As quickly as possible he writes the music and then, seizing his violin, he hurries to the studio of some of his artist friends where all is life and gayety. He plays his composition for them with a charm of expression that is simply marvelous. The music is so plaintive and beautiful that their hilarity is subdued, and they are so overcome when he stops playing that they cannot speak. For a moment he thinks his composition a failure, but soon his enthusiasm returns and he hurries out and back to his own attic room, his heart beating high at the prospect of fame and affluence. The reward of years of struggle and privation is at hand. Arriving at his lodgings he relates his prospective good fortune to his landlord who, however, refuses to believe him and turns him out because he is unable to pay his arrears. He tries to gain a hearing with one of the world’s famous opera impresarios, only to be refused and curtly dismissed from his office. As he is leaving this great man’s office, his fond hopes shattered, he finds a valuable piece of jewelry in the gutter and, in spite of the fact that the owner’s card is in the jewel case, he hurries to a pawn shop. Arriving at the money lender’s his conscience rises to reproach him. Reminded thus of his duty, he cannot pawn what does not belong to him, even though he is starving, and he hurries away to the address on the card to return the jewels to their owner. He arrives at the fashionable home while a musicale is being held, at which is the famous impresario who had refused to listen to him that afternoon. It is noticed that he carries a violin and he is asked to play. At first he is timid, but the prospect of impressing the man of influence restores his courage. He plays “His Masterpiece” and at once captures not only those who have been ridiculing his appearance, but the impresario also. This means that his troubles are at an end, for when this great man approves of a musical composition its success is assured. One of the scenes in this picture is a reproduction of the world famous painting, “Beethoven.” and the light effects and acting throughout the entire production leave nothing to be desired.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 11 December 2024.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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