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True ’Till Death
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by William Bracken
Cast: Ray Gallagher [Paul, the busband], [?] Mildred Bracken? [Elizabeth], Frank Fernandez (Frank Fernandez Jr.) [the grandson]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 25 April 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] Between Phillip and Paul, Elizabeth chooses Parul for her husband and is blessed with a happiness she had never known. The Civil War calls Paul from his wife and child never to be returned. He expires on the battle-field in the arms of his friend Phillip. Twenty-five years later Phillip again proposes, but is refused because the sacred memory of her dear husband is never lost to Elizabeth. A mask ball to which her grandchildren wear the costumes she and Paul had once worn revive sweet memories. She has a vision of Paul once more leading her through a graceful dance, and in that vision comes — death. // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In the days just before the Civil War, Elizabeth Blake has two handsome suitors, Philip and Paul, equally worthy. She accepts the latter and their life is extremely happy. They grace many a dance hall. When war breaks out, Philip and Paul are called to arms, and Paul is for the first time parted from his young wife and baby. Elizabeth gives him a locket to carry during the trying days. Philip, her old-time suitor, brings home the sad news of the brave Lieutenant Paul’s death, and it breaks her heart. Twenty-five years later, Philip again proposes, only to be refused for the second time, for Elizabeth’s steadfastness and memory of the man who had made a few years of her life so replete with sweet joy, her husband, never wavered. Meanwhile her child had died and left a grandchild for her safe keeping. This was the only joy now in Elizabeth’s life, and even this was about to be taken from her, for he was in love and wanted to marry. Remembering her own happy days as a bride. Elizabeth brings out the clothes worn by her and Paul at their first ball, and to awaken old memories, begs the young couple to don them for a coining mask ball. The transfiguration is complete, and Elizabeth is carried back to those happy days of long ago. She falls asleep and dreams that the painting of Paul, for years ornamenting the stairway, becomes animated, and once more leads her gracefully over the dance hall. And in that dream comes sleep; peaceful eternal sleep, death. His alone had she been, and “true till death.”
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 11 May 1912, page ?] We have already commended this idyllic story of love, broken by the hard fortunes of war, but remaining true to its dream through a long life, even unto death, when the little white-haired widow in black dies in her armchair. She had seen her grandson and his young wife, dressed in “before the war” costumes, off to a fancy dress ball. The old memories had come thronging in upon her, and, for a few minutes after she was left alone, she lived the old days over again. The picture of her young husband comes to life and holds out its hand toward her, and she dies. Many of the photographs of the picture have high poetic beauty, many of its scenes are lovely. It is an American story, commendably praising that spirit of heroic endurance and devotion, so nobly exemplified in the women of the South, during and after the struggle between the States and to which a very beautiful monument has been recently erected in South Carolina, a picture of which we saw in last week’s Animated Weekly.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 22 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 231 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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