The Portrait of Lady Anne

The Portrait of Lady Anne

(One reel of approximately 1,000 feet, July 23, 1912)
Print source: Library of Congress, 14 minutes 53 seconds.
Cast: Florence LaBadie (Lady Anne), Justice D. Barnes (Lady Anne’s father in 1770), William Russell (rejected 1770 suitor), Carl LeViness (accepted suitor in 1770), Harry Benham (her suitor in 1912).
Original music composed and performed by Ben Model.

In 1770, the beautiful Lady Anne in a jealous fit throws over her lover who goes away to the war and is killed. Fast forward to 1912 where a descendant of Lady Anne is entertaining and much the same happens.

A fantasy of romance and jealousy across 200 years. Sets are, in 1912, becoming more realistic, sometimes even layered (with glimpses into other rooms in the background). Though still not willing to identify (much less promote) their popular players, the theater-savvy Thanhousers were willing to hire the most elaborate and picturesque costumes in New York City.