Volume I: Narrative History

Chapter 7 (1914): Muriel's Birthday

The Strike, a social problem film screened in two reels on April 21, 1914, was the subject of an article in The Morning Telegraph: Note

Picture Star Wouldn't Ride Half Fare: Muriel Ostriche, the youngest star in moving pictures and now with the Princess brand on the Mutual program, was in Stamford, Connecticut with Director Carl Gregory, taking the factory scenes in a feature photo-play called The Strike the other day [March 24th], the same being her 18th birthday. A large party was waiting Muriel's return to her home, so of course she was concerned she would not disappoint her friends. A distance of 43 miles separates Stamford from New York, and as the hour was late, Muriel decided to take a train from Stamford direct to New York and not stop off at New Rochelle (the studio) to change her clothes.

In the photo-play, Miss Ostriche plays the part of a poor working man's daughter. Muriel was dressed perfectly for the part, her skirts barely touching her shoe tops. At the railroad station she asked the ticket agent the fare to New York. The agent looked pityingly into the sweet face of the poor little girl and replied that half-fare would do for her if she would sit low in her seat, so as to make the conductor think she was only nine years old, and he added that he didn't think she was over, if even nine! Muriel said, "Why that's all right. I am over nine, in fact, I am just 18 today." The agent insisted that she could ride half-fare because she was so small. Muriel then told him that she was with a moving picture company taking pictures in Stamford, and could well afford to pay the full fare. Thereupon the ticket agent had a laugh on himself, and Muriel proceeded to New York at the regular rate.

After receiving many beautiful presents and telegrams of congratulations Muriel journeyed to Café Boulevard and danced herself into the first prize, receiving a handsome silver loving cup. Besides being a picture favorite, Muriel is an accomplished dancer. Lloyd Lonergan, the scenario editor, has written a feature dancing picture in which Miss Ostriche will exhibit her many prizes and show her thousands of admirers the new dances in which she is so pronounced an expert.

The Strike received laudatory reviews. The Moving Picture World considered it to be "superior" and "a strong picture," while The New York Dramatic Mirror commented: "Staging is satisfactory throughout, and the actors are successful in suggesting the contrasting types found in a factory town. Muriel Ostriche is particularly winning in her portrayal of Mary. Photography is clear."

When Algy Froze Up, a comedy released on April 24th, was well reviewed, as were most Thanhouser films of this genre. The title role was taken by Cyril Chadwick, of whom more will be related later. The short comedy was becoming a mainstay on theatre programs, and Keystone, Thanhouser, Apollo, and other brands found a good reception as fillers between multiple-reel feature dramas. One reel or less was to be the standard length for most comedies, Note and at the time none of the large four-, five-, or six-reel feature films on the market was of this type. Algy, as in the Thanhouser film title, was a widely-used character name of the time, not only in New Rochelle films, but in pictures of other studios as well; as, for example, Keystone's Algy on the Force, Nestor's Algy Forfeits His Claim, Solax's Algie, the Miner, and Biograph's Algy the Watchman, not to forget the early Princess film, Algy's Awful Auto. Algy was an early day equivalent to Rube, Reuben, or Ruben, also widely used in films, a satirical nickname for a naive newcomer, such as a country hick who comes to the big city.

In April a parade of news items appeared about the New Rochelle studio and its players. The New York Dramatic Mirror reported on April 1st:

Dave Thompson, recently reappointed cast director at the Thanhouser plant in New Rochelle, has engaged the services of a valet; the same being a huge Ethiopian nicknamed "Jasbo." When Dave is not playing in pictures, Jasbo acts as a personal bodyguard. The other day Jasbo was seated beside Dave's desk when an actress came in looking for work in the pictures. Jasbo got up to give the lady his seat, and the lady turned to him and said: "Don't deprive yourself." And Jasbo replied: "That alright, Miss; no deprivaty."

Wednesday, April 8th, was Thanhouser Night at the North Avenue Theatre in New Rochelle. At the time the house, managed by John Wentworth, was considered to be the most deluxe in the city. A storm arose, the weather became violent, and when the electric power went out, consternation reigned among the patrons. Violet Hite, actress sister of Charles J., suggested that Thanhouserites in the audience could go on stage to entertain, and with a wax candle in each hand she led the way. Lila Chester sang a number or two and then "Vi" Hite did another recital. "By this time the audience were praying that the lights would never go on," The Moving Picture World commented in its issue of April 25th. John William Kellette took charge of the impromptu display and got Harry Benham and James Cruze, who were brought from their homes where they were "slippered and sleepy," to go on stage. "Before they reached the theatre, however, the light situation was straightened out and their services were unnecessary," the same account related.

In The New York Dramatic Mirror, April 15, 1914, Thanhouser's most highly paid player was quoted:

"Maude Fealy is an actress whose conversation radiates interesting ideas. Here are a few words from the lips of the Thanhouser star: 'To be a moving picture artist only half the requisites are required because diction and voice are lost by the screen actor. I think pictures will bring back one-act plays. Pictures teach us brevity, that is good pictures do.' For nearly a year Maude Fealy has been appearing in Thanhouser feature pictures. During that time, in addition to her picture work, she has also been responsible for numerous scenarios produced by the Thanhouser Company. She photographs well and has brought to bear her varied experience as a dramatic star all of which has contributed to her success on the screen."