Volume II: Filmography

THE WILD FLOWER AND THE ROSE

November 25, 1910 (Friday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, November 19, 1910:

"This really truly novelty film concerning itself with airships and airship flying just fits in with the aviation craze. Everyone is reading and talking about airships. That controversy between the English birdman and the American is a great topic of discussion everywhere...."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, November 26, 1910:

"Frank Wilson is the son of an inventor who has perfected an airship model in which Jack is greatly interested, but which neither of them have the money to finance. Wilson tries to interest his wealthy employer, Fisher, but is unsuccessful in the attempt. However he gains the support of his employer's beautiful daughter, Rose. The old inventor suggests to his son that if he marries Rose they could secure the money to perfect the invention. But Jack spurns the idea, as he is already engaged to marry a country girl, Daisy Lane, who, he believes, loves him devotedly.

"Upon learning that Daisy is a heartless coquette, Jack is heartbroken, and goes west to seek a fortune and forget her conduct. Success comes to him quickly, and he returns to tell his father that now, unaided, they can finance the invention. On the aviation field, Jack once more meets Rose, and confesses to her that it was the memory of her kindness that helped him achieve success. Jack makes a successful flight in the invention - a new style of aeroplane - and in offering her congratulations Rose confesses that she has loved him from the first."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, December 10, 1910:

"A love story built up around the invention of a new type of aeroplane. The machine flies and the inventor gets the girl of his choice. The picture has, therefore, a pleasant ending."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, November 30, 1910:

"The inventor's son loved the country girl. She deceived him. He went West and made a fortune. Returning, he flew in his father's biplane, and married the city girl. It is a discursive narrative, not bound by laws of cause and effect, although it does not contradict them. It is amusing to see the rapidity with which a motion picture hero goes West. He throws a toothbrush and his pajamas into a suitcase, takes his hat over his arm, and breaks the news to his father before stepping from the living room out into the street. The special point of this film is the aviation exhibition, which is well handled. The hero is a very jocose gentleman, who smiles broadly with and without provocation. Other parts are adequately filled."

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