The Gift Girl is a 1917 American silent comedy directed by Rupert Julian based on the story by Harry R. Durant. The film stars Louise Lovely and Emory Johnson. The photoplay was produced by the Bluebird Photoplays. The film was released on March 26, 1917, by Universal.[1][2]
| The Gift Girl | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper Theater Ad | |
| Directed by | Rupert Julian |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Bluebird Photoplays |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Stephen Rounds |
| Distributed by | Universal |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels 50 minutes |
| Country | USA |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The film is based on a play by Harry R. Durant titled "Marcel's Birthday Present."[3]
Plot
editThe movie unfolds as an English couple travels to the Middle East accompanied by their baby girl. After arriving, they choose to go on a hunting trip in one of Persia’s (modern-day Iran) many forests. They also decide to have their daughter go with them on the trip.
Misfortune strikes when wild animals kill both of the baby's parents. The child survives. But she is now helpless and alone in the forest. Good fortune smiles upon the child. A man called Malec, played by Rupert Julian, stumbles across the tragedy. He discovers the helpless child. Malec decides to rescue the child, take her into his Persian household and raise her as his own. He names the girl – Rokaia.
Time passes and Rokaia, played by Louise Lovely, grows into a beautiful woman. Rokaia is now old enough to marry. Malec arranges for a wealthy rug merchant to marry Rokaia. Rokaia finds her potential husband offensive-looking. She refuses to marry the rug merchant. Rokaia decision goes against her step-father’s choice. In Persia, a daughter cannot reject a father’s preference for a marriage partner. Rather than honor her father wishes, Rokaia flees to France. After she escapes, Rokaia now finds herself alone and penniless in Paris.
Fortune smiles again. A wealthy nobleman, Marquis de Tonquin played by Wadsworth Harris discovers Rokaia. He takes the young woman into his home as domestic help. The Marquis decides to hire (gift) her as a companion for his son Marcel played by Emory Johnson.
Marcel and Rokaia have some adventures, and Marcel ends up falling in love with “The Gift Girl.” Marcel asks for Rakaia’s hand in marriage. The Marquis discovers Marcel’s marriage plans. The Marquis’s pleads with his son telling him he can only marry into a prominent family. He should not tie the knot with domestic help. The Marquis’s pleas fall on deaf ears.
After time passes, the Marquis finally consents and Marcel and Rokaia get married.[4]
Cast
edit| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Louise Lovely | Rokaia |
| Emory Johnson | Marcel |
| Rupert Julian | Malec |
| Wadsworth Harris | Marquis de Tonquin |
| Fred Montague | Dr. D'Eglantine |
| Winter Hall | Usun Hassan |
| Rex De Rosselli | Major Smyrthwaite Abercrombie |
Cast gallery
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Production
editThis film was shot entirely on the backlot of Universal Studios located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.[5]
This film was also known as (AKA):[5]
- Marcel's Birthday Present
- The Mistress
Preservation status
editAccording to the Library of Congress website, a complete copy of this film survives.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ "The Gift Girl". catalog.afi.com.
- ^ "The Gift Girl". www.tcm.com.
- ^ "Beauty Leads in Four March Bluebird Features". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. March 1917. p. 152.
- ^ "Louise's Lucrative Loveliness". Moving Picture Weekly. New York, The Moving Picture Weekly. 1917. p. 23.
- ^ a b The Gift Girl at IMDb
- ^ "The Gift Girl / Rupert Julian (motion picture)". www.loc.gov/film-and-videos/.
- ^ The Gift Girl at silentera.com