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Red and White Roses
(1913) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by William Humphrey [?] + [Ralph Ince]?
Cast: William Humphrey [Morgan Andrews], Julia Swayne Gordon [Lida de Jeanne], Leah Baird [Beth Whitney], L. Rogers Lytton [alph Clark], Earle Williams [Morgan Andrews], Edith Storey [Mrs. Andrews], Harry T. Morey [Murray]
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Scenario by W.A. Tremayne. / Released 10 March 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Part One: Everything points favorably to the election of Morgan Andrews, when he is nominated for governor. He is engaged to an ideal woman, whose social standing, political interests and marvelous tact, will help him reach the goal of his ambition. She is noted for her generosity and idolized for her philanthropy. His private and public affairs are looked after by his private secretary, Ralph Clark, a handsome fellow, whose engaging manners and ability are a material aid to Morgan Andrews’ popularity. Martin Murray, the leader of the opposition party, knows that Andrews largely depends upon his social position in winning the election and to offset this, he induces his sister, Lida de Jeanne, a famous actress, to enter into a plot, feeling certain she will bring Andrews, as she has brought other men, to her feet. The introduction being accomplished through Jack Niles, Murray’s henchman and companion, the conquest starts in earnest. Lida throws herself heart and soul into it and Andrews readily becomes an admirer and adorer of the fascinating woman. He pays court to her and to express his appreciation of her warmth and amour, sends her a bouquet of red roses. Everything seems to be favorable to Murray’s plans. Beth Whitney lives in the same apartment hotel as Lida; their rooms being directly across the court from each other. Andrews favors Miss Whitney with white roses, whenever he visits her, indicative of purity and sincerity. While visiting Miss Whitney, he sees Lida at the window of her apartment opposite, and irresistibly, he is led to look upon her in all her radiant beauty. A page enters and hands him a letter from Lida, telling him that she has news of interest to him in his coming campaign, and requesting him to see her immediately. In opening the letter, he drops the envelope. He excuses himself to Miss Whitney, pleading campaign business that will oblige him to leave at once. After he is gone, his fiancée picks up the envelope and discovers that the handwriting is a woman’s. After visiting the adventuress, he returns to Miss Whitney’s apartment and her suspicions having been aroused, she suspects the cause, for she did not fail to notice with a woman’s keen intuition, his actions at the window during his previous call. She tells him frankly that she will break her engagement with him. He imploringly tells her that the breaking of their engagement will mean the ruin of his career. He leaves, and later, she writes, saying, “Since the success of your career means so much, I will remain engaged to you until after the election.” Lida reports her progress to her brother, Martin Murray, who, being impatient, asks her why she doesn’t bring it to an issue. Lida has grown fond of Andrews and will not now sacrifice his career by carrying out her brother’s wishes and make herself party to the ruination of the man whom she now loves. Part Two: Tired of waiting for his sister to act, Murray, wishing to strike the final blow, tells the newspaper reporters that Andrews has jilted his fiancée for an actress. The news spreads like wildfire and causes panic among Andrews’ supporters. Andrews, who has just returned from a campaign tour, reads the news and is completely taken off his guard. He unsuccessfully tries to prove the report a newspaper scandal and a lie. Murray is elated with the success of his dishonorable methods and keeps his promise with Lida, rewarding her with the bracelet promised for accomplishing the ruin of Andrews. Andrews calls on Lida, discovers the bracelet and accuses her of being party to the plot. She denies it. He hastily takes his departure, telling her that, “The white rose may be cold and colorless, but it is pure, fragrant and most to be desired.” The slander which has been spread broadcast has had its effect and on election day Andrews meets overwhelming defeat. Ralph Clark, the private secretary, has been sent to Miss Whitney to acquaint her with the outcome of the election and while he is there, she shows him a beautiful and curious Oriental fan, presented to her by Andrews, possessing a secret spring and chamber, in one of the posts, in which there is concealed a deadly poison. The rebuff which Lida received from Andrews as he was leaving her apartment has filled her with jealous rage, and a determination to compromise him. She goes to Miss Whitney’s apartment, accuses him of jilting her and charges Miss Whitney with being in love with Mr. Andrews’ secretary, defying her to deny it if she can. Andrews confronts his fiancée and tells her of the accusation, which she denies, and says, “I promised to marry you and I will keep my word.” After Andrews has gone, Miss Whitney, in desperation, determines to put an end to it all. The private secretary, during her interview, becomes suspicious and while she is writing a note that she has found the solution to the whole problem, the secretary removes the poison from the fan and replaces it with a strong sleeping powder, which she inhales and falls into a deep sleep. When Andrews soon afterwards calls on Miss Whitney, and is told by the servants that she is dead, he hurries to her room. He sees her motionless body and gives way to uncontrollable grief. The next morning Andrews is found dead. Miss Whitney recovers from the effects of the soporific. Out of respect for the dead, she mourns at his bier and Lida is allowed to pour out her expression of sorrow for the one she loved and so basely injured, against her better feelings, for the satisfaction of her vanity and jealousy. Some months later, amid the white crystals of fallen snow, Beth Whitney, now being free to accept the attentions of Ralph Clark, the private secretary, the white rose blooms afresh in the glorious radiance of true love.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Death: Suicide - Politicians
Listing updated: 12 October 2023.
References: Slide-BigV p. 226; Tarbox-Lost pp. 132, 133, 279 : Website-IMDb.
Home video: VHS.
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