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The Prince of Graustark
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Five reels
Directed by Fred E. Wright
Cast: Bryant Washburn [Prince Robin of Graustark], Marguerite Clayton [Princess of Dawsbergen], Sydney Ainsworth (Sidney Ainsworth) [Count Quinnox], Ernest Maupain [William W. Blithers], Florence Oberle [Mrs. Blithers], John Cossar [Baron Danglos], Francis X. Bushman [father of the prince], Beverly Bayne [mother of the prince], Agnes Ayre (Agnes Ayres), Camille D’Arcy, [?] William V. Mong? [Count Quinnox’s aide], [?] Colleen Moore? [a maid], [?] Rod La Rocque?
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by K-E-S-E Service. / Scenario by Fred E. Wright, from the novel The Prince of Graustark by George Barr McCutcheon. Cinematography by Jackson J. Rose. / © 21 October 1916 by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company [LP9373]. Released 6 November 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The sequel to Graustark (1915). D’Arcy’s final film.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Graustark needs thirty million dollars to satisfy a Russian loan. The Prince of Dawsbergen, ruler of the adjoining principality, will advance the money if the young Prince of Graustark marries his daughter. Prince Robin, however, inherits an independent spirit, his father having been an American. He refuses absolutely to marry a Princess whom he has never seen. His councilors plead in vain. With the ruin of his country imminent, the boy ruler hastily sails for America to negotiate the loan, hoping at the same time to meet the girl of his dreams. The money is readily advanced by William W. Blithers, a self-made millionaire anxious to have his daughter marry into royalty. The daughter, however, avoids the Prince and he does not see her. He rescues a girl from drowning and falls in love with her. He believes her to be Blithers’ daughter, but she does not reveal her identity. Simultaneous with the Prince’s departure for home comes a note to Blithers from his daughter that she has sailed for Europe to escape the Prince. Blithers is elated. He is certain they will meet on shipboard. The Prince does meet the girl he loves. In Paris he makes a tryst with her and they are arrested for speeding. Before any sentence can be passed upon her, however, a diplomatic document reaches the court and they are freed. The Prince believes the power of Blithers to be world-wide. The night of his return to Graustark with the welcome news of the loan, the Prince of Dawsbergen is a guest at the palace. A mysterious note calls the younger man to the terrace. There he meets the girl. He tells her that even though she is Blithers’ daughter, he wants to marry her. Taking her into the palace he announces her to the councilors as his future bride. He cannot account for their approving smile. “There is your father,” he tells the girl as Blithers, who followed them across the ocean, enters the room. She laughs. “No, my father is over there,” she exclaims, pointing to the Prince of Dawsbergen. The energetic Blithers explodes when he learns the news. He recovers himself, however, and says: “Congratulations. Prince. I can be a good loser.”
Synopsis: Synopsis available in AFI-F1 n. F1.3559.
Survival status: Print exists in the George Eastman Museum film archive.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 13 October 2023.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.3559; Slide-Early p. 25 : ClasIm-312 p. 19 : Website-AFI; Website-ASFFDb; Website-IMDb.
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