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Dr. Nicola III
Also known as The Mystery of the Lama Convent; or, Dr. Nicola in Thibet in the USA : [Lamaklostrets Hemmelighed]
(1909) Denmark
B&W : Short film
Directed by Viggo Larsen
Cast: August Blom [Doctor Nicola], Axel Boesen, Aage Brandt, Franz Skondrup
Nordisk Films Kompagni production; distributed by Nordisk Films Kompagni. / Produced by Ole Olsen. Cinematography by Axel Sørensen (Axel Graatkjær). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in the USA as The Mystery of the Lama Convent; or, Dr. Nicola in Thibet by Great Northern Film Company on 29 January 1910.
Drama: Crime.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Dr. Nicola, a man of great determination, who knows no obstacle in his desire to intrude into the secrets of nature, has made up his mind lo discover, and to make known to the world, what is hidden behind the old walls of the Lama Monastery. These mysterious old buildings are known all over China, and are situated in the interior of Tibet. They are in the possession of monks and priests, who are very careful not to allow anyone, particularly foreigners, to gain knowledge of their secrets. Dr. Nicola possesses the wonderful Chinese cane, which has the power of procuring him admission into the religious temples of China, and he engages a young man named Bruce to accompany him as his servant. On their arrival at the convent, the doors are opened to Dr. Nicola, when he shows the Chinese cane, and he is made cognizant of all the secrets of the place. They show him how to be master over life and death, and explain to him their ability to call back to life a dead person. With great ceremony, Dr. Nicola is just about to he initiated into the highest order of the convent, when an old Chinaman steps forward and denounces Dr. Nicola. He pulls off the disguise of Dr. Nicola, who realizes that he is found out and must expect a terrible revenge and punishment. The doctor and his servant are taken to prison, where they plan to escape. A monk comes to bring them food and is overpowered. Bruce is hurried into the monk’s clothes, and followed by Dr. Nicola he leaves the cell. In passing a monk on guard. Bruce drops a coin, and the former stooping to pick it up, is floored by Dr. Nicola and his servant, tied and gagged. Disguised in the clothes of the monks, they escape, and just after they have left the gates of the convent a great number of monks appear in hot pursuit. But Dr. Nicola and Bruce have already gained sufficient time to escape, and to obtain a valuable case of very precious data and curios, one of the objects of Dr. Nicola’s adventure.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: (unknown) [Denmark]; Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 29 December 2024.
References: Mottram-Danish p. 48 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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