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Oliver Twist
(1909) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 995 feet
Directed by J. Stuart Blackton
Cast: Elita Proctor Otis [Nancy Sykes], Edith Storey [Oliver Twist], William Humphrey [Fagin]
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The Vitagraph Company of America [Vitagraph High Art Film]. / Scenario by Eugene Mullin, from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. / © 10 May 1909 by The Vitagraph Company of America [H126775]. Released 1 June 1909. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / A remake of Blackton’s Vitagraph production, Oliver Twist (1907).
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 29 May 1909, page ?] Scene 1. Interior of English Workhouse. — The matron’s room. Mrs. Twist, carrying baby, knocks. Door opened by Mrs. Corney. Mrs. Twist asks for shelter. Sally conducts her and the baby to the ward. Scene 2. Wardroom. — Mrs. Twist in bed, asks for her child. After blessing him, falls back dead. Sally takes wedding ring and locket from corpse. Scene 3. Mrs. Corney’s Room. — Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney talking and drinking as Susan enters, tells that Sally is dying and asks for Mrs. Corney. Scene 4. Wardroom. — Sally confesses that she robbed dead body of the locket and ring, gives them to Mrs. Corney and dies. Scene 5. Soup Kitchen Fifteen Years Later. — Fifteen or twenty children sitting about eating. Oliver goes to Bumble, who is at the caldron, asks for more food and is beaten. Scene 6. Country Road Near Barnet. — Artful Dodger spies Oliver walking along weak and tired. He gives him food, offers to take him to a friend, to which Oliver agrees. Scene 7. Fagin’s Den. — Fagin at fire cooking, others sitting around smoking and drinking as Dodger and Oliver enter. Scene 8. Bill Sykes’ Room. — Bill sprawled out on the bed; Nancy, his wife, mending his coat. Scene 9. Fagin’s Den. — Fagin calls the boys together and instructs them in picking pockets. Scene 10. Book Store. — Brownlow picks up a book and while reading, Dodger picks his pocket. Scene 11. The Street. — Oliver arrested for the crime. Scene 12. Police Office. — Oliver brought in by officer. About to be convicted. Bookseller enters and clears him. Brownlow takes Oliver to his home. Scene 13. Brownlow’s Sitting Room. — Oliver sent on an errand. Scene 14. Outside London Tap Room. — Fagin and Sykes send Nancy for Oliver. Oliver appears and is taken off by Sykes. Scene 15. Fagin’s Den. — Oliver brought in and his money taken from him. Scene 16. Brownlow’s House. —Brownlow and his wife anxiously waiting for Oliver’s return. Scene 17. Fagin’s Den. — Sykes and Fagin plan to rob Brownlow. Scene 18. Toby Cratchet’s Crib. — Sykes and Oliver enter, talking with Toby, leave with cudgels, dark lanterns, etc. Scene 19. Rear of Brownlow’s Home. — Oliver forced through the window by Sykes and his companions. Scene 20. Cellar of Brownlow’s Home. — Oliver creeps toward the stairway, is seen by Brownlow, who fires upon him. Oliver drops. Scene 21. London Bridge. — Nancy meets Brownlow and Rose and gives them a paper. Fagin observes their meeting. Scene 22. Sykes’ Room. — Nancy asleep as Bill enters. They quarrel and Nancy is killed. Scene 23. Prison. — Fagin’s death. Scene 24. Interior Sykes’ Room. — Suicide of Sykes. Scene 25. Exterior Sykes’ Home. — Sykes hanging by the noose. Mob below reviling him.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 5 June 1909, page ?] The Vitagraph people have sent out a film under the above title which is deservedly popular. Nancy Sykes is played by Elita Proctor Otis, and that, together with other parts, form a whole which leaves nothing to be desired so far as the acting and the interpretation of dramatic possibilities is concerned. A long description is scarcely necessary. Everyone knows the story of Oliver Twist, and has sympathized with him in his difficulties. They will do so more than ever after seeing this picture. The acting is unusually good, and, with the exception of a few points, the photographic quality is quite satisfactory. The picture is sure to please critical audiences everywhere and is a sufficiently noticeable achievement to mark the company among the leaders in the business.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Authors: Charles Dickens
Listing updated: 22 May 2024.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.3226; Blum-Silent p. 14 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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