Volume II: Filmography

THE DIAMOND OF DISASTER

British release title: A DIAMOND DISASTER

October 13, 1914 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels (1,837 feet)

Character: Drama

Director: Carroll Fleming

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Ernest Warde (the fakir), J.S. Murray (Hindu merchant), Irving Cummings (Davis, the Englishman), Carey L. Hastings (the Englishman's wife), David H. Thompson (servant of the English couple), Justus D. Barnes (the bandit), Morgan Jones (the rajah), John Richards (Hassan, the rajah's captain), Muriel Ostriche (Zelda, the dancing girl), Perry Horton

Note: Production of this film was in progress during the week of August 31 and was completed during the week of September 14, 1914.

ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, September 5, 1914:

"Carroll Fleming is producing a big spectacular two-reel drama, The Diamond Disaster [sic], the scenes of which are laid in the East Indies. Irving Cummings, David H. Thompson, and Carey L. Hastings are playing the leads, and horses are used with telling effect."

ARTICLE, Reel Life, October 3, 1914:

"Carey L. Hastings, in The Diamond of Disaster, a recent Thanhouser drama, appeared in one of the most unique and striking makeups lately seen on the screen. In the character of an Indian princess, her complexion darkened, she wore a robe of rich Oriental colorings, girdled with gold ornaments, and draped with a filmy scarf over jewel-studded sleeves. A turban wound about her loose black hair fluttered long ends as she galloped into the scene. The part is full of action and intense feeling. Miss Hastings, who is noted for her strong character work, distinguished herself in the piece. Her triumph was especially noteworthy, the part being completely out of the usual type which Miss Hastings portrays."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, September 26, 1914:

"A famous diamond, which has caused death and dishonor to Rajah and his captain is given by a dying Hindoo to an Englishman. The Englishman, Davis, learns the story of a fatal gem from a native fakir, or wise man, but will not permit himself to be alarmed by superstitious tales. Not long after, he goes away, leaving his wife and baby in the care of his trusted Hindoo servant. However, the servant has seen the diamond, and loyalty giving way before greed, he plots with the bandit chieftain to rob the Englishman of the gem. The diamond is found, and the two Indians quarrel for its possession. In the struggle, a lamp falls into a barrel of gunpowder, blowing up the house. The Englishman, who has turned back, sees the building fall, but reaches the place in time to rescue his wife and child. The servant and the bandit are found dead. Then Davis takes the precious stone and hurls it into the sea."

REVIEW by E. Boudinot Stockton, The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914:

"This picture, of which Phil Lonergan is the author and Carroll Fleming the director, will undoubtedly meet with a welcome reception wherever it is shown. The theme of the story is not a new one and it has been told several times before both in picture and in story, but there is some new twists to the present production that not only prove an alibi to any charge of plagiarism, but at the same time give it a novel shape and interest. As the picture was made in this country, a few of the scenes lack somewhat of the atmosphere of Hindustan or India in which all of the action takes place, but it is only the hypercritical who would notice them and the compelling interest of the story is bound to carry over the minor defects. The only real fault to be found with the picture is in the latter half of the story, where there are several leaders [subtitles] in succession, all of them reading 'Later.' These should have been avoided as they gives a disagreeable feeling that the story has been chopped and clipped and the incidents badly pieced together. Aside from this and the fact that some of the exteriors might have been better chosen, the picture is a 'real good show' and is sure to please.

"One exceptionally meritorious thing about the picture is the Englishman's bungalow, which is a real house built in the studio yard in order that it might be blown up by the bandits. The interiors deserve all praise and with the exception that some of the palms were evidently potted plants, the exterior was a most creditable reproduction. The acting throughout was of a high order, and especially noticeable was J.S. Murray as the Hindu merchant, Justus D. Barnes as the bandit, Ernest Warde as the fakir, Morgan Jones as the rajah, John Richards as Hassan, the rajah's captain, Muriel Ostriche as Zelda, the dancing girl, Irving Cummings as the Englishman, Carey L. Hastings as his wife and David Thompson as their servant."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, October 11, 1914:

"A stone which has caused the death of a rajah also causes the burning of his home when two servants quarrel for its possession. He is in time, however, to save his wife and baby from the flames."

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