The Miser's Reversion
Story by Peter Wade - Motion Picture Magazine, May 1914
Synopsis - Reel Life, March 21, 1914Short of discovering the lost film, I've managed to get a good handle on this 3-reel Thanhouser "Darwinian Drama". The synopsis follows:
"Wrinkled, haggard, and 75 years old, John Grisley, a wealthy miser, has spent the later years of his life studying Darwin's The Origin of the Species and other scientific works demonstrating the kinship of man to the higher primates. He is not so engrossed in the study of anthropology, however, that he fails to notice the growing attraction which his pretty daughter has for a penniless but otherwise worthy young man. Preferring to have his daughter marry a man of means, the aged miser discourages the young man's attentions. Along comes the Great Lahaif Maharajah of India. The Maharajah and his two attendants are garbed in the brilliant colors of the Orient and display all the indications of great wealth. Although some might put the Maharajah in the street fakir class, Miser John receives him without question into his home, and the Indian, being a man of many parts, finds no difficulty in talking about the microcosm, the macrocosm, and the transmigration of souls. Miser John is pleased to learn that the wealthy Sahib from India thinks well of this daughter and would be willing to marry her.
"At a public demonstration of the Maharajah's powers, Grisley is given a small dose of the Elixir of Life and is transformed from a wrinkled doddard of 75 to a hale man of 40. Pleased at the results obtained by a small dose of the elixir, Grisley swallows the whole bottle and quickly becomes, in turn, a young man, a boy, a baby, and eventually an ape. In his new shape the miser runs forth from the hall, but is avoided by everyone, including his own daughter. It is only when he exhibits a tattoo on his arm that his story of the Hindoo and his magic elixir is believed. Grisley is led back to the hall, where the Indian is forced to restore him to his original shape. Grisley has little use for the Maharajah after his experience, however, and willingly gives his consent to the marriage of his daughter to her youthful sweetheart."
Reviews were complimentary. The Morning Telegraph describes Sidney Bracey, in the lead role, as "probably one of the most remarkable masters of makeup in the country". (I guess that they hadn't heard of Lon Chaney yet!) The Moving Picture World and the New York Dramatic Mirror also praised his acting.
Peter Wade's amusing 7 page story breathes a little life into the concept. (For some reason, the author changes many of the character names; the miser who's filmed as John Grisley, becomes Jetro Poor.)
The whole practice of publications like the Motion Picture Magazine and their after-the-fact fictionalizations intrigues me. These stories are elusive and not well indexed. When I chance upon one, it's a minor accomplishment.
written: 9/14/2004
