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The Girl in the Arm-Chair streaming

1912 Movie United States Short, Drama 12 min
By: Alice Guy-Blaché, Alice Guy With: Mace Greenleaf, Lee Beggs, Blanche Cornwall

Frank Watson was spending a month in New York when one day he receives a letter from his father requesting him to come home and also that a surprise awaits him on his return. This aroused Frank's curiosity, so immediately he made preparations to leave at once. One arriving home he went at once to the drawing room and there to his surprise he saw a very attractive girl sitting by the fire-place seeming to be perfectly at home with her surroundings. Frank coughs. The girl turns around and then nods to him but leaves the room at once. Just then his mother and father come in and greet him. At once Frank begins to question them about the girl. For an answer Frank's father walks to the desk and brings Frank a letter. There he learns that this girl is the daughter of his father's best friend who has just died and has made his father guardian. The girl's name is Peggy and she has been left a large fortune. Frank does not approve of this and begins to offer his objections. At the same time Peggy is seen coming down the stairs at the back of the room and accidentally overhears what Frank is saying. She then comes into the room and they are introduced. Six months later we find Frank in bad company. He has started gambling and has hard times settling all his debts. At present he owes $500 to a very miserly Jew who has Frank's promissory note to pay in a week's time. Poor Frank is almost a nervous wreck, for he has no means by which he can lift this debt. The day has come and we now see Frank nervously awaiting the Jew's arrival. The Jew is ushered in and at once starts business. He then learns that Frank is unable to pay and then swears that he will go to Frank's father for payment. Frank pleads not to tell his father. The Jew looks around the room in order to find some plan with which to force Frank to pay. Suddenly he notices a small safe in the desk marked EMERGENCY SAFE. He calls Frank's attention to it. After much arguing the Jew has persuaded Frank to get his payment from this safe with the hope of winning it back and then replace the money before the father finds it out. Frank takes the money, gets a receipt from the Jew and orders him out. Frank leaves the room at once. Suddenly we see Peggy getting up out of the large chair by the fireplace. She has accidentally overheard all that has passed between them without their knowledge and she realizes Frank's position at once. She decides to help Frank out of his trouble and starts to think of a plan. Later we see her coming into the drawing room all ready for a journey, carrying a suitcase in her hand. She puts a letter on the table for Frank's father and then leaves the house. The girl makes a splendid sacrifice to save Frank and later, in an impressive scene Frank admits his guilt and asks for forgiveness of the girl he has grown to love.

Filmium rating
55%

Mood

Dramatic
Melancholic
Romantic
Serious

Cast & Crew

Alice Guy-Blaché
Alice Guy
Lee Beggs
Blanche Cornwall
Mace Greenleaf
Character-Driven
Early Cinema Actors
Small Cast

Budget

Low-Budget

Cinematic Technique

Black And White
Expressive Acting
Intertitles
Narrative Simplicity
Silent Film
Silent Film Techniques
Static Camera
Title Cards
Visual Cues

Narrative Structure

Direct
Linear
Linear Narrative
Straightforward

Pace

10-Minute Runtime
Brisk
Concise
Fast-Paced
Short Duration
Short Film
Slow-Paced

Runtime

10 Minutes
Short Film

Soundtrack

Silent Film
Silent Film Score

Style

Black And White
Early Cinema
Short
Silent

Time-Period

Early 1910S
Silent Era

Central Conflict

Disgrace
Financial Ruin
Financial Troubles
Gambling Debts
Honor
Redemption
Romantic Rejection
Saving Reputation
Theft

Characters

Parents
Young Man
Young Woman

Ending

Bittersweet
Dramatic
Hopeful
Redemptive

Historical Context

Early 1910S
Early 20Th Century
Silent Film Era

Key Plot Points

Disgrace
Gambling Debts
Love At First Sight
Rescue From Shame
Theft
Young Man Steals Money
Young Woman Intervenes

Plot

Class Differences
Debt
Family
Gambling Debts
Redemption
Rescue From Disgrace
Romantic Conflict
Saving From Disgrace
Theft

Setting

Domestic
Family Home
Home
Intimate
Large Armchair
Upper-Class

Shooting Location

Domestic Setting
Family Estate

Theme

Class Differences
Family Reputation
Honor
Honor And Shame
Love
Redemption
Social Expectations

Genre

Drama
Short Film
Silent Film

Audiences

Drama Lovers
Early Cinema Enthusiasts
Early Cinema Fans
General Audience
Silent Film Enthusiasts

Titles

The Girl In The Arm-Chair

Production Countries

United States

Release Year

1912
Twelve
mowizz ID: c07f2a33-9ff1-4f60-8dda-126b9184c97a
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