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| studio = Spencer's Pictures
| studio = Spencer's Pictures
| released = 1912
| released = 1912
| runtime = 3,500 feet<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67462219 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[Traralgon Record |Traralgon Record (Traralgon, Vic. : 1886 - 1932) ]] |location=Traralgon, Vic. |date=21 August 1914 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=3 Edition: MORNING. |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
| runtime = 3,000 feet
| country = {{FilmAustralia}}
| country = {{FilmAustralia}}
| language = [[Silent film]] <br>[[English language|English]] intertitles
| language = [[Silent film]] <br>[[English language|English]] intertitles
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}}
}}


'''''The Midnight Wedding''''' is a 1912 Australian [[silent film]] directed by [[Raymond Longford]] based on a popular stage play in which Longford had appeared.<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19627128 "ENTERTAINMENTS." ''The Brisbane Courier'' 28 Mar 1910: 3] accessed 8 Dec 2011</ref><ref>Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production'', Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 36</ref>
'''''The Midnight Wedding''''' is a 1912 Australian [[silent film]] directed by [[Raymond Longford]] based on a popular [[Ruritanian]] stage play in which Longford had appeared.<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19627128 "ENTERTAINMENTS." ''The Brisbane Courier'' 28 Mar 1910: 3] accessed 8 Dec 2011</ref><ref>Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production'', Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 36</ref> It is considered a [[lost film]].

==Plot==
In the fictitious European country of Savonia, the dashing Paul Valmar enlists in the Hussars after the death of his mother. After five years of service he is becomes a lieutenant and is appointed sword master to the regiment, causing jealousy amongst other others, notably the young Prince Eugene von Strelsburg and the wealthy Captain von Scarsbruck. Von Scarsbruck has been rejected by Eugene's sister, the Princess Astrea, and he gets Eugene involved in gambling. Eugene taunts Valmar about his parentage, resulting in a fight in which Eugene is injured. Valmar seeks refuge in a church.

Under the terms of her father's will, the Princess Astrea must marry, but is given the option of von Scarsbruck or a nunnery. Father Gerard conceives of the idea of uniting Valmar with the princess. He blindfolds the officer and marries him to her on midnight. Valmar is subsequently captured and brought towards the Crown Prince. Valmar informs him that he is the Crown Prince's own son.

Von Scarsbruck is still intent on forcing a marriage with Astrea by destroying her reputation. He visits her chamber late one night, and is discovered by Valmar who challenges him to a duel. Valmar is injured, and Astrea confesses to her brother that she she is married to him. Valmar recovers from his wounds and fights another duel with Von Scarsbruck. During the fight the cowardly Eugene tries to strike up Valmar's sword and Valmar runs him through. Astrea succeeds in stopping the fight, then the Crown Prince intervenes and puts Eugene and von Scarsbruck under arrest, banning all women from officer's quarters. Astrea disguises herself as an officer and sneaks into see the injured Valnar. She is discovered by the Crown Prince and confesses she is married to him.

Three months later, Valmar has recovered from his wounds and duels von Scarsburck again. Astrea hears about this and rides to the duel just in time to see Valmar mortally wound his opponent. Valmar and Astrea marry again, this time in a large ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58510878 |title=A WEST'S SPECIAL. |newspaper=[[Sunday_Mail_(Adelaide)|The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954)]] |location=Adelaide, SA |date=11 January 1913 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=6 Section: SECOND SECTION. |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> <ref> A synopsis of the play can be found at {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19627128 |title=ENTERTAINMENTS. |newspaper=[[Courier-Mail|The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933)]] |location=Qld. |date=28 March 1910 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

==Production==
The play had been enormously popular in Australia and Longford had appeared in it playing the role of Von Scarsbruck although he did not act in the film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19626934 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[Courier-Mail|The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933)]] |location=Qld. |date=26 March 1910 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The cast largely came from the stage production produced by Clarke and Clyde Meynell.

The movie was the first to be shot at [[Charles Cozens Spencer]]'s new studio at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney, enabling it to feature elaborate sets.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15381453 |title=SPENCER'S PICTURES. |newspaper=[[Sydney_morning_herald|The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)]] |location=NSW |date=7 December 1912 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=21 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

==Release==
The movie is sometimes confused with a British film of the same name that was released in Australia around the same time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15348038 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[Sydney_morning_herald|The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)]] |location=NSW |date=15 April 1912 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It received good reviews and was a popular success at the box office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5362551 |title=AMUSEMENTS. |newspaper=[[The_Advertiser_(Adelaide)|The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931)]] |location=Adelaide, SA |date=11 January 1913 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=21 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15382365 |title=OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS. |newspaper=[[Sydney_morning_herald|The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)]] |location=NSW |date=11 December 1912 |accessdate=12 January 2012 |page=17 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[Lottie Lyell]]
*[[Lottie Lyell]] as Princess Astrea
*[[Augustus Neville]]
*[[Augustus Neville]] as Paul Valmar
*D.L. Dalziel as Captain Rudolph Von Scarsbruck
*George Parke as Lt Prince Eugene
*Fred Twitcham as Crown Prince of Savonia
*Jack Goodall as Father Gerard
*J Barry as Reverend A Cette
*Nellie Kemberman as Stephanie


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:58, 12 January 2012

The Midnight Wedding
Directed byRaymond Longford
Written byRaymond Longford
Produced byCharles Cozens Spencer
StarringLottie Lyell
CinematographyErnest Higgins
Production
company
Spencer's Pictures
Release date
1912
Running time
3,500 feet[1]
CountryTemplate:FilmAustralia
LanguagesSilent film
English intertitles

The Midnight Wedding is a 1912 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford based on a popular Ruritanian stage play in which Longford had appeared.[2][3] It is considered a lost film.

Plot

In the fictitious European country of Savonia, the dashing Paul Valmar enlists in the Hussars after the death of his mother. After five years of service he is becomes a lieutenant and is appointed sword master to the regiment, causing jealousy amongst other others, notably the young Prince Eugene von Strelsburg and the wealthy Captain von Scarsbruck. Von Scarsbruck has been rejected by Eugene's sister, the Princess Astrea, and he gets Eugene involved in gambling. Eugene taunts Valmar about his parentage, resulting in a fight in which Eugene is injured. Valmar seeks refuge in a church.

Under the terms of her father's will, the Princess Astrea must marry, but is given the option of von Scarsbruck or a nunnery. Father Gerard conceives of the idea of uniting Valmar with the princess. He blindfolds the officer and marries him to her on midnight. Valmar is subsequently captured and brought towards the Crown Prince. Valmar informs him that he is the Crown Prince's own son.

Von Scarsbruck is still intent on forcing a marriage with Astrea by destroying her reputation. He visits her chamber late one night, and is discovered by Valmar who challenges him to a duel. Valmar is injured, and Astrea confesses to her brother that she she is married to him. Valmar recovers from his wounds and fights another duel with Von Scarsbruck. During the fight the cowardly Eugene tries to strike up Valmar's sword and Valmar runs him through. Astrea succeeds in stopping the fight, then the Crown Prince intervenes and puts Eugene and von Scarsbruck under arrest, banning all women from officer's quarters. Astrea disguises herself as an officer and sneaks into see the injured Valnar. She is discovered by the Crown Prince and confesses she is married to him.

Three months later, Valmar has recovered from his wounds and duels von Scarsburck again. Astrea hears about this and rides to the duel just in time to see Valmar mortally wound his opponent. Valmar and Astrea marry again, this time in a large ceremony.[4] [5]

Production

The play had been enormously popular in Australia and Longford had appeared in it playing the role of Von Scarsbruck although he did not act in the film.[6] The cast largely came from the stage production produced by Clarke and Clyde Meynell.

The movie was the first to be shot at Charles Cozens Spencer's new studio at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney, enabling it to feature elaborate sets.[7]

Release

The movie is sometimes confused with a British film of the same name that was released in Australia around the same time.[8] It received good reviews and was a popular success at the box office.[9][10]

Cast

  • Lottie Lyell as Princess Astrea
  • Augustus Neville as Paul Valmar
  • D.L. Dalziel as Captain Rudolph Von Scarsbruck
  • George Parke as Lt Prince Eugene
  • Fred Twitcham as Crown Prince of Savonia
  • Jack Goodall as Father Gerard
  • J Barry as Reverend A Cette
  • Nellie Kemberman as Stephanie

References

  1. ^ "Advertising". Traralgon Record (Traralgon, Vic. : 1886 - 1932) . Traralgon, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 21 August 1914. p. 3 Edition: MORNING. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  2. ^ "ENTERTAINMENTS." The Brisbane Courier 28 Mar 1910: 3 accessed 8 Dec 2011
  3. ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 36
  4. ^ "A WEST'S SPECIAL". The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 11 January 1913. p. 6 Section: SECOND SECTION. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ^ A synopsis of the play can be found at "ENTERTAINMENTS". The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 28 March 1910. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 26 March 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  7. ^ "SPENCER'S PICTURES". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 7 December 1912. p. 21. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 15 April 1912. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  9. ^ "AMUSEMENTS". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 11 January 1913. p. 21. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  10. ^ "OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 11 December 1912. p. 17. Retrieved 12 January 2012.

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