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The Novice
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Francis Boggs
Cast: Hobart Bosworth [Father Angelo], Herbert Rawlinson [young Duke Ferdinand], Frank M. Clark (Frank Clark) [the duke’s uncle], Robert Z. Leonard [Pedro], W.T. Santschi (Tom Santschi) [Santo], Frank Richardson [Father Menlo], Fred Huntley [Father de Shon], Iva Shepard [Ogarita]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by W.N. Selig. / Released 15 June 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Rawlinson’s film debut.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In the story of the Novice, a young Spanish Duke is shown as a boy of religious and ascetic nature, overwhelmed by the cares and weighty duties of state. His uncle, a scheming and crafty politician, who rules through him, using the sweet-natured boy as his tool, proves so overbearing and so overloads him with care, that he resolves to leave all his worldly pomp and take refuge in the arms of the Mother Church. He flies to the Franciscan Fathers, who put him upon probation for the usual period, and at his insistent desire make him a novice. He lives quietly and at peace at last. But his uncle, realizing that his power is lost unless the young duke returns, tries to discredit him with the monks by having him forcibly abducted and detained in a cave on the seashore by a couple of bravados, who are his trusty henchmen. Ferdinand, by sawing loose his hands upon the sharp rocks of his cave prison, escapes, however, and returns, exhausted, to the monastery after a three-day’s absence. Angelico, the Father Superior, finds his story hard to believe, and puts him again upon strict probation and retreat, having him carefully watched. The uncle, finding his first attempt baffled, seeks help from a woman, who is to discredit him at any risk. This she tries to do by pretending illness as Ferdinand, watched by an old monk, walks in the moon-lit garden beneath the walls. The young novice tries to help her, but she throws her arms around his neck, and upon the appearance of the shocked and horrified monk, swears that he has wronged her and demands to be taken before the Father Superior, who hears her story. He asks Ferdinand if it be true. The boy is so dazed that he can hardly answer, but there is the ring of truth in his denial, and the father makes her swear upon the shrine in his cell. This she tries to do, but the old monk sees her falter, and forces a confession from her, whereat he takes the boy in his arms, and she lies broken and weeping at the foot of the cross.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 April 2020.
References: Lahue-Bound p. 92 : Website-IMDb.
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