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The Stolen Wireless
(1909) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 915 feet
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Wallace McCutcheon?
Cast: [?] Francis Ford?
Méliès Star-Film [American] production; distributed by Gaston Méliès through Enterprise Optical Company. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / © 13 October 1909 by Georges Méliès [J133026]. Released 13 October 1909. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was shot in a studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. [?] Thompson-Star p. 12 lists the production company as G. Méliès Manufacturing Company, and that this was the first product of that company.
Drama: Action.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Two young men love the same young girl. One of them, learning that war has been declared, enlists and goes to the front. Passing with his regiment before the home of his beloved, he leaves the ranks to say farewell. He asks her hand in marriage and she acquiesces. He then slips the betrothal ring on her finger and she, in turn, unclasps a locket she wears around her neck and gives it to him. He swears he will never part with it, and they exchange a last kiss. As he goes away, she bursts into tears. The other young man is called on the field of operations as war correspondent of an important newspaper. He calls on the young girl and also tells of his love for her. He meets with a repulse, he insists, she shows him her engagement ring. She is no more free, her word has been given to another. Furious, the war correspondent leaves, but vows inwardly that he will have his revenge, cost what it may, on the man who is the cause of his disappointment and whom he now hates with all his might. The young soldier, who has distinguished himself in the army, is seen promoted a sergeant, and is charged with carrying, on horseback, an important message to the staff office at the first wireless station. At full speed, he reaches the station, where he meets the war correspondent, who seeks information to impart to the enemy. Out of vengeance, he steals the sergeant’s message and denounces the brave soldier as a traitor. He lies in wait for him in the middle of a wood and has him arrested just as he is returning to the camp after having fulfilled his mission. During the night the sergeant escapes. After a struggle with the sentinel, whom he strikes senseless, he hastens to the camp and informs them that the message has been stolen and that the enemy may attack them at any moment during the night. They sound the charge and the soldiers rush to the battlefield. The war correspondent arrives at the camp and tries to deceive the officer in charge, but a sharpshooter who was watching his movements shoots him dead at the feet of the commanding officer. Justice is done, and the traitor is carried away by order of the officer. A battle takes place during the night in which the enemy is pursued into the woods. The sergeant is wounded, but albeit courageous efforts to take part in the combat, he falls senseless and is carried away to the hospital. The young girl who is betrothed to the young soldier, devoting herself to her country, offers her services as nurse in the military ambulances and is unsparing in her care for the wounded. Among the latter she recognizes her affianced husband, who is lying unconscious on a litter. She fears that he is dead, but the surgeon reassures her that although he is grievously wounded he will soon recover, provided he has good care. She bends over and kisses him. This caress revives the young man, who, recognizing his fiancée, raises himself, and, happy to see her once more, he covers her with kisses. The hostilities are over. As soon as the young man is better, he and the young girl will be united, happy to be home and together.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Espionage: Spies
Listing updated: 23 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 12, 227 : ClasIm-226 p. ? : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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