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Grand Opera in Rubeville
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Ashley Miller
Cast: Herbert Prior [Will Green], Richard Tucker [Alphonse], Bliss Milford [Eldora Perkins], Mathilde Baring [Aunt Martha], May Abbey [Sapphira], Charles Sutton [Sapphira’s father], Edward Boulden [the Clarion editor], Edward Clark [Printer Hodd], William West [the constable], Saul Harrison [Will Jewell], Frank Lyons (Frank A. Lyons)
Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Released 25 September 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Affairs are in a terrible state in Rubeville. The ladies of the choir are in a state bordering on violent hysteria on account of Will Green, the choir leader’s marked favoritism for Eldora Perkins. When the “Rubeville Sentinel” publishes a glowing tribute to the young soloist, Eldora immediately proceeds to spread the news by mailing copies of the paper to her relatives and friends. A copy reaches her Aunt Martha’s Boston boarding-house, and one of her boarders, Alphonse, reads it and, seeing possibilities of exercising his somewhat-doubtful talents as a music teacher, he jumps his board bill and heads for Rubetown. His arrival there causes great excitement among the “talent,” and it looks as if Green will lose his artistic hold upon the community. In order to offset the popularity of the new arrival, Green opens a Singing School, hoping to win back Eldora, who has become interested in Alphonse. A climax is reached when Alphonse announces his intention of giving the opera of “The Bohemian Girl.” There is a great scramble for the parts. Through the influence of her rich father, Minetta is awarded a prominent role. Her father proposes a trip to the city in order that a presentation of the opera by professionals may serve to fire the local talent to heights undreamed of. They leave for the city, followed by Green, and after viewing the performance, return to the village, where rehearsals are undertaken with great enthusiasm. Green’s Singing School fails to attract further interest. Disappointed, he sets out for Boston to seek a new job. Calling on Aunt Martha he discovers the picture of Alphonse in the album. Learning something of that young gentleman’s past, he decides to return to Rubeville. In the meantime the rehearsals are in full blast and further complications are introduced by a second love affair between Alphonse and village heiress Minetta. The eventful night arrives and all Rubeville assembles to witness the performance. Jealousy runs rife, stage fright is in considerable evidence, and the climax is reached when Aunt Martha and Green appear on the scene. Alphonse is denounced and leaves town. Green and Eldora become reconciled and harmony reigns once more.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 26 December 2024.
References: Spehr-American p. 4 : Website-IMDb.
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