Pauline Makes Bow to Film Patrons

Pauline Makes Bow to Film Patrons

Interest Instantly Aroused
Chicago, April 4, 1914

Miss Pearl White. Born near Kansas City, Mo.,
 May 2, 1895. She was the heroine in "The Perils of
Pauline," and "The Exploits of Elaine," pictures
that made her internationally famous. She was
a typical western girl of great charm and beauty.

       "The Perils of Pauline" have begun their interesting unfolding to the thousands whose curiosity regarding the culmination of this series of thrilling pictures, will mean that the story, as told in seven of the largest Sunday papers, and thereafter shown at leading motion picture houses, will be followed closely from the first to the last reel of Pauline's perils.

       This picture series includes popular stars at the Pathe studios both in America and Europe who have been leased to make this production for the Eclectic Film Company. Those being featured, however, are the better known American ones, among whom are Pearl White, as Pauline; Crane Wilbur, as Harry Marvin, son of Pauline's guardian; and Paul Panzer in the role of Raymond Owen, trusted secretary of Hanford Marvin. The last mentioned character is impersonated by Endora Jose.

       The first release of the series is in three reels and confronts the spectator with the question, "What did the mummy say?" But to begin at the beginning--Hanford Marvin is interested in the days and people of more than a thousand years ago and is overjoyed at the announcement that a mummy is being sent to him from Cairo, Egypt. Marvin's son, Harry, centers his interest in his father's ward, Pauline, and is happy in their tennis-playing days on his father's rich estate. Mr. Marvin has a secretary whom he trusts "not wisely but too well," as the secretary is possessed of a "past" of which he is reminded by a former chum who extorts money from him.

       Marvin summons his son and Pauline from their tennis game and proposes to Pauline her marriage with his son. Pauline answers, "Some day, maybe, but first I must see the world that I may progress with my writing." Both Marvin and Harry laugh and, indignant, Pauline brings forth a new issue of the Cosmopolitan and show them a story signed "By Pauline Marvin." Surprised Mr. Marvin turns the pages and reads. The illustrations flash upon the screen, the characters in them assume life and the story is enacted before the spectators.

Pauline proves her literary ability.

        At its conclusion Marvin expresses his pleasure in Pauline's talent and says that he will send her around the world to gather material and atmosphere for stories, and that she shall go in the care of his trusted secretary. Pauline is over-joyed, Harry is not, and the secretary is visibly interested.
       The mummy arrives and the elderly Mr. Marvin is delighted with its authenticity. He cuts the burial cloth about its head and releases a braid of black hair. From the box and earthen bottle falls out. He uncorks it, a heavy gas escapes and Mr. Marvin drops into a chair, unconscious. To his deadened senses the mummy assumes life and the appearance of a beautiful young girl who steps from her burial wrappings and flits inquisitively from one to another object in the room. Finally, she sees the portrait of Pauline and approaches it. Her gaiety changes to seriousness and pointing to it, she turns to the silent figure of Marvin and speaks a message that seems to portend a warning. Somebody approaches along the hall, taking a bracelet from her arm, the girl places it on that of Marvin then, in fright, seeks the shelter of the coffin, upright against the wall. Slowly her form stiffens, fades into a mistiness of outline and when Marvin recovers, the mummy is in its box just as he had left it.
       Excitedly, he summons his secretary, his son and Pauline and tells them what has happened. He cuts the bandages at the mummy's side, inserts his hand and takes from the mummy's arm, a bracelet exactly like the one the girl had placed upon his arm. The shock of the extraordinary incident is too much for the old man and he has an attack from his heart. A doctor is summoned, Marvin's minutes are said to be numbered and he makes his will, bequeathing half of his wealth to his son and the other half to his ward, to be held in trust for her by his secretary.
       The next day the secretary files the will and incidentally, asks what disposition would be made of Pauline's share of the Marvin fortune should she die before coming of age. The lawyer replies that it would belong to him, the secretary.
       A continued-in-our-next announcement is flashed and the spectators are left to conjecture as to what the mummy said and what interesting adventures are in store for Pauline on her trip around the world.
       The story is that of Charles W. Goddard, co-author with Paul Dickey of "The Mis-Leading Lady." "The Ghost Breaker," and "The March to Sea." It is marked by the unusual in plot, by the reality of settings and scenes and by a fineness in photography. It is with genuine interest that the next release in the "Perils of Pauline" series is anticipated. Motograpy Magazine, 1914

• Pearl White, An American Actress