The Hindoo Charm (1913)

Advised by his friends to seek a second wife so that his children, Helen and Dolores, may know a mother's care, Sir Edward Tilbury marries Phyllis, the daughter of Lady Olivia Gower, a ... See full summary »

Director:

Maurice Costello

Writer:

Eugene Mullin (story)

Stars:

Maurice Costello, Clara Kimball Young, James Young

Cast

Cast overview:
Maurice Costello	...	Sir Edward Tilbury
Clara Kimball Young	...	Phyllis - the Step-Mother
James Young	...	Nattoo
William V. Ranous
Helene Costello	...	Helen Tilbury - the Younger Child
Dolores Costello	...	Dolores Tilbury - the Older Child
Mae Costello	...	Lady Olivia Gower (as Georgia Maurice)

Storyline

Advised by his friends to seek a second wife so that his children, Helen and Dolores, may know a mother's care, Sir Edward Tilbury marries Phyllis, the daughter of Lady Olivia Gower, a leading social light in Calcutta. One day, after they are married, Nattoo, an Indian fakir and "devil priest," enters the compound of Sir Edward's house and greatly frightens Phyllis and her mother with the snakes that he carries. Phyllis beats him and thrusts him off the grounds, warning him never to return again. Nattoo swears to be revenged and watches for the first opportunity to do her harm. Phyllis, who is not very fond of children, does not take much notice of Helen and Dolores, who are greatly disappointed in their new mother, of whom they had hoped so much. One day, hurt because Phyllis has ordered them to run off and play by themselves, they go out of the compound and wander about the streets of the city, where they meet Nattoo. The fakir, who sees that something is the matter, hears that the ...

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Plot Keywords:

directed by star | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1913 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vitagraph Company of America

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Rare One Reeler

Functional would be the best way to describe this one reel melodrama. The vengeful Hindoo/u (the James Young, director of "Hearts in Exile"?) got up in boot polish and a turban, plans on avenging himself on Maurice Costello's family, somewhere East of Suez.

Chief interest is in seeing the distinguished cast early in their careers. Hard to reconcile the two children (Helen keeps on standing in front of the taller Dolores, blocking our view) with the glamorous stars of the 1920s Michael Curtiz movies.

Compositions are often awkward and the playing is unremarkable, outside of Young's unrelenting hamming. Hard enough to see any of these one reelers - so let's not be greedy!