|
Fights of Nations
(1907) United States of America
B&W : 750 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
American Mutoscope & Biograph Company production; distributed by American Mutoscope & Biograph Company. / Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer. / © 18 February 1907 by American Mutoscope & Biograph Company [H90564]. Released 2 March 1907. / [?] Biograph 35mm spherical format? / Biograph production number 3272. A duel scene in the film was taken from Biograph’s Duel Scene from “Macbeth” (1905).
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World and View Photographer, 9 March 1907, pages 9-10] Fights of Nations. / Affairs of Honor a la Mode Portrayed by the Biograph. / Our latest production, under six titles, represents various types and nationalities, with comedy and tragedy consistently intermingled. Every scene is beautifully staged and each nationality well represented. / “Mexico vs. Spain,” the first scene, shows the rejected Mexican suitor, in a jealous rage, watching the lovemaking between Carlos, the Spaniard, his hated rival, and the beautiful senorita. With drawn stiletto he pounces upon the Don, but the senorita seizes his arm, thus saving her lover from a horrible death. After a terrific hand-to-hand encounter, the Don has the point of vantage over the Mexican, but through the pleadings of the girl releases him and bids him go. Next is shown two of “Our Hebrew Friends,” in a characteristic battle — all talk, but no blows. A third Hebrew is drawn into the argument, in the heat of which a policeman appears and threatens to arrest them. The third Hebrew is made the innocent victim. He offers the officer a bribe of a roll of money, which is accepted, but the Jew steals it back. Then follows “A Scottish Combat” — a broadsword engagement between two of America’s leading actors in Scotch costumes, showing how quick and accurate these weapons can be handled. A comedy scene, “Sunny Africa,” takes place in a concert hall on Eighth avenue, New York, frequented by the colored element. Buck dancing, cake walking, etc., are indulged in. The bully resents the attentions paid to his sweetheart by a dusky gentleman. Immediately razors are drawn, and the affair winds up in a rough house. In “Sons of the Ould Sod” we show a laughable scrap between Haggerty and Fogarty, caused by the accidental dropping of a wet sheet by Mrs. Haggerty from her window upon the head of Fogarty. The men battle furiously, until that soothing balm to hurt feelings — beer — is proffered by the ever-thoughtful Mrs. Haggerty. “America” then serves as an appropriate finale. The scene is magnificently decorated with emblems of all nations, the American eagle surmounting them. In harmony, peace and good-will the characters of the different nations appear, making it an allegorical representation of “Peace,” with Uncle Sam presiding at a congress of the Powers.
Survival status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 23 February 2015.
References: Ball-Shakespeare pp. 30, 306, 386 : MovPicWorld-19070309 pp. 2, 9-10 : Website-AFI.
|
