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The Downward Path
(1900) United States of America
B&W : 824 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
American Mutoscope Company production; distributed by American Mutoscope Company. / Cinematography by Arthur Marvin. / © 11 November 1902 by American Mutoscope & Biograph Company [H23807 (part 1), H23810 (part 2), H23808 (part 3), H23806 (part 4), H23809 (part 5)]. Released May 1900: part one, “The Fresh Book Agent,” available at 30 and 164 feet; part two, “She Ran Away,” available at 28 and 164 feet; part three, “The Girl Who Went Astray,” available at 28 and 160 feet; part four, “The New Soubrette,” available at 30 and 167 feet; part five, “The Suicide,” available at 30 and 169 feet. / [?] Mutoscope 68mm spherical 1.36:1 format?
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Mutoscope promotional materials] [Part 1 ] This series of five pictures is intended to convey a moral lesson in the career of a young country girl who succumbs to temptations, and becomes involved in the wickedness of a big city. The first view shows the entrance of the tempter into the farm house, in the shape of an agent. He makes love to the girl, and pictures to her the fascinations of the city. / [Part 2] This is the second picture of the series. The girl elopes with a book agent. She descends from her room by a ladder. Her father attempts to detain her, but the window sash falls on his head. The flying couple are pursued by the mother and a farm hand in their night clothes. / [Part 3] The third picture of the series. The girl is now on the city streets. The book agent has in the meantime abandoned her, but is seen demanding money of her. Her aged father and mother, who have come to the city to look for her, arrive just in time to witness the scene. They attempt to save the girl, but the brute knocks the father down, and drags the victim away. / [Part 4] The fourth of the series. The girl has now descended to the depths, and is seen in a Bowery concert hall. She is under the influence of liquor, and takes part in a scene of riotous abandon. / [Part 5] The last of the series. The girl is now at the climax of her career. She is deserted by her lover and left to her fate. Carbolic acid is her only resort.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 19 February 2010.
References: Musser-Emerge pp. 267, 381, 390, 412, 599, 601; Robinson-Palace p. 76 : Website-AFI.
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