Volume II: Filmography

THELMA

June 21, 1910 (Tuesday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Scenario: From the novel of the same name by Marie Corelli (nom de plume of Mary Mackay)

Cast: Anna Rosemond (Thelma), Frank H. Crane (Sir Philip Errington), Yvonne Marvin (Lady Clara Ashley), Alphonse Ethier (Viking Olaf)

Location: Filmed in New Rochelle, New York

BACKGROUND OF THE SCENARIO: Thelma, one of many romantic melodramas written by Mary Mackay under the nom de plume of Marie Corelli, was published in 1887. Alternate titles of the novel include Thelma: A Society Novel and Thelma, a Norwegian Princess. Mary Mackay (1855-1924), a music student turned writer, turned out her first significant work and first best-seller, A Romance of Two Worlds, in 1886. Inspired by its success, she created numerous other romantic melodramas, including Thelma. Although present-day scholars consider her works to be of no serious literary importance, she is remembered by the science-fiction world for her vivacious imagination and her "scientific discoveries," including interstellar travel via personal electricity. Her writings were known in her time for sublimated sex, fervent religiosity, and far-fetched fantasy.

ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, June 18, 1910:

"Thelma filmed by Thanhouser. The Thanhouser Company has dramatized Marie Corelli's Thelma. This great work has been revised for the motion picture patron in the best style of the picture producer, and in the 'cutting down' process attended in the transfer of a 400-page novel to a limited length of film it is pleasant to note that only the objectionable and tedious has been cut and the thread of the story is preserved to the fullest. Thelma practically established Marie Corelli's American reputation and the mere billboard announcement of the novel as a film will have no small advertising value."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, June 25, 1910:

"Thelma is a simple Norwegian maiden living alone with her father in the land of the midnight sun. Her father is one of the few remaining Vikings, famous in history. As such he is held in great reverence by his servants, who consider him somewhat in the nature of a king, and his daughter a princess. Outside of the years spent at school, Thelma has spent nearly all her time alone, her mother having died when she was a baby. When on a visit to her mother's grave, Thelma meets Sir Philip Errington, a distinguished young Englishman, who is touring Norway in his private yacht. Sir Philip is instantly attracted to her and, obtaining information as to where she lives, presents himself to Olaf, the Viking, and is finally admitted to his friendship and that of his daughter. Sir Phillip woes and wins the fair Thelma for his bride, and with her sails back to England.

"In London, Thelma at once creates a favorable impression and is cordially welcomed by all of Sir Philip's friends, who comprise the nobility and aristocracy of the metropolis. Lady Clara, alone, of all Sir Philip's old friends, wishes Thelma harm. She has long felt an affection for Sir Phillip, and resents the fact that he spurned her love and chose his bride in far-off Norway. This wicked and designing woman determines to wreck Thelma's happiness, and force her to leave England. This she contrives to do, in making Thelma believe that Sir Philip no longer loves her, but that in truth his heart belongs to Lady Clara. As proof of her statement she shows Thelma a letter written to her by Sir Philip in which he pleads the cause of his friend, who is in love with Lady Clara, and wishes her to become his wife. This Lady Clara claims is a love letter written by Sir Philip to her.

"Thelma, heartbroken, believing she has lost her husband's love, returns to Norway, just as her father, the Viking, breathes his last. She, with his faithful followers, complies with his last wishes, which are that he shall be buried as his forefathers were before him - sent out to sea in his burning ship. This form of burial had been that accorded to all Vikings for centuries past. After straining her eyes for a final look at the departing ship, Thelma retraces her steps to her mother's grave, and there, feeling that she is absolutely alone, prays for the strength to live. Here in a rocky dell before the tomb of her mother, where first she met the man who won her heart, Sir Philip again finds Thelma. A few words suffice to show her how she has been tricked, and a fervent protestation of his love convinces her that she still has a place in his heart. In Sir Philip's arms she finds comfort for the loss of her father; she starts out bravely to again face the world, now sure of his unending love."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 2, 1910:

"Thelma - an adequate reproduction of Marie Corelli's famous novel of the same name. Practically everybody has read the novel, hence no long explanation is required. The picture is admirably staged and acted and maintains the interest from beginning to end. Of course the picture does not contain the detail of the novel, but it is a distinct improvement upon the play. It deserves a long run."

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