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Kaliffens Æventyr
Also known as The Wise Man’s Ring; or, The Caliph’s Adventures in the United Kingdom; The Caliph’s Adventures in the USA
(1908) Denmark
B&W : [?] Split-reel?
Directed by Viggo Larsen
Cast: Carl Alstrup, Gustav Lund, Oscar Stribolt, Edmund Østerby
Nordisk Films Kompagni production; distributed by Nordisk Films Kompagni. / Produced by Ole Olsen. Cinematography by Axel Sørensen (Axel Graatkjær). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in the USA by Great Northern Film Company on 17 February 1909.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? The caliph is dull. The grand vizier is exerting himself to the uttermost in order to amuse him, but he cannot even make him smile. The prettiest ladies of the harem are dancing the most fascinating dance for him, but it only makes him yawn all the more. The gentlemen at court are trying to do their very best to please him in performing some very comical Chinese dancing, but are only told to leave the place, and at last the grand vizier is perfectly discouraged. But suddenly an idea strikes him. He has been told of a sorcerer who is in possession of a ring, by means of which the bearer can be transmitted to any place he wishes to go to. He now sends for this sorcerer, makes him give up the ring and announce the magic word by which influence the ring is to do its powerful work. As soon as the caliph gets hold of the ring, he rubs it, wishes himself to be a thousand miles away, and pronouncing the magic word be disappears immediately. The ministers believe that the sorcerer has made the caliph disappear by magic power, and they therefore arrest the sorcerer, telling him that he is to lose his head if the caliph does not come back soon. As soon as the caliph has pronounced the magic word, he finds himself at a carnival in one of the big cities of the West. Here his magnificent “make-up” as his clothing is supposed to be, makes quite a sensation, and the caliph enjoys himself thoroughly, drinking wine in large quantities and courting a beautiful young lady. He soon becomes intoxicated and the young lady snatches the ring away from him and leaves him. Now the poor caliph is obliged to act as a juggler in order to support himself. At last one day he perceives his ring in a pawnbroker’s shop window. He rushes in immediately, snatches his ring and runs away, pursued by the pawnbroker. A policeman has already his hand on the caliph’s shoulder when he rubs his ring; pronounces the magic word and disappears from the very eyes of the astonished crowd. One minute later be is back again at his own palace, where the grand vizier is just going to execute the sorcerer and proclaim himself caliph. But the old caliph has a different opinion. He appoints the sorcerer grand vizier and discharges the old one. Then he ascends his throne and receives the homage of his true people.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: (unknown) [Denmark]; Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 20 November 2022.
References: Mottram-Danish p. 41 : Website-IMDb.
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