Photo Album
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Made in the USA, released on the 3rd of February, 1910.
Gay: N/A |
Lesbian: 2 out of 9 |
Trans: N/A |
Queer: 6 out of 9 |
There’s the whole Olivia in love with Viola thing, but beyond that, Sebastian is played by a woman in drag.
Viola (Florence Turner) and her brother Sebastian (Edith Storey) are shipwrecked in the dukedom of Orsino (Tefft Johnson). Though they’ve been separated in the storm Sebastian’s trunk has washed ashore with Viola, so she dresses in his clothes to go to the Duke. The Duke assumes she’s a man and takes her on as his page.
Orsino uses Viola to carry messages to and from Olivia (Julia Swayne Gordon), a noblewoman he’s in love with. Olivia, also believing Viola is a man, falls in love with her, much to the displeasure of her admirer Malvolio (Charles Kent), who grows jealous of Viola.
One of Olivia’s maids, Maria (Marin Sais), decides to play a joke on Malvolio by forging a love letter and leaving it for Malvolio, making him think Olivia returns his favor. Malvolio makes a fool of himself, grinning madly and showing his stockings, which the letter told him would signify his love, whenever he sees Olivia.
Sebastian finds his way to Olivia, who mistakes him for Viola, and asks him to marry her. Sir Andrew Aguecheek (James Young), another would-be suitor to Olivia, challenges him to a sword fight. Just as they start, Viola returns and she and her brother are reunited and explain everything that has happened. Olivia is dismayed to have been in love with another woman, but quickly finds solace in Sebastian’s arms.
Malvolio enters triumphantly with the fake letter from Olivia. When he discovers he’s been had, he storms out, vowing revenge. In the end, Olivia marries Sebastian and the Duke marries Viola.
Regarding the film itself, it’s not entirely clear who directed it. It could have been Charles Kent, Eugene Mullin, or William V. Ranous. All are possible, but it most fits Ranous’s output from this period. Also interesting to note is that it was originally released in color, the hand-colorizing process delaying its release by a month. Unfortunately, all color prints have been lost.
Cast and crew
| Amazon.com: Not Available |
Amazon.co.uk: Available |
FranziVision: Not Available |
[ Gay feature | Lesbian feature | Trans feature | Queer feature ]
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