A Message from Mars (1913 film)

A Message from Mars (1913) is a British science fiction silent film. It is said to be the first British Sci-Fi film.

Not to be confused with A Message from Mars (1903 film).

A Message From Mars
The film
Directed byJ. Wallett Waller
Written byRichard Ganthony
J. Wallett Waller
Based onplay A Message From Mars by Richard Ganthony
Produced byNicholas Ormsby-Scott
Production
company
United Kingdom Photoplays
Release date
July 1913
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguagesSilent film
English intertitles

History

The story is similar to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol of 1843,[1] but this story was successful as a play written by Richard Ganthony. The play had been issued as a book in 1912 creditted to Lester Lurgan (aka Mabel Knowles) and Ganthory.[2] The film is said to be the first British Sci-Fi film and it continues the theme that the rich should care for the poor.[1]

Plot

Horace Parker, played by Charles Hawtrey, is an exceedingly self-centered, wealthy young man. Not only is he a miser, but he also expects everyone else to conduct their lives according to his personal convenience.

Parker is engaged to Minnie Templer, but Minnie has discovered Parker's selfishness and she is on the brink of calling off the engagement.

On Christmas Eve, however, a messenger from Mars comes to Earth to show Parker the error of his ways. The two of them become invisible and eavesdrop on all the terrible—and true—things Parker's friends and family are saying about him.

Restoration

In September 2014, the British Film Institute announced that they were putting the restored film online on their website. This version is longer and restores the film's original tinting and toning.[1][3]

Cast
  • Charles Hawtrey as Horace Parker
  • E. Holman Clark as Ramiel
  • Crissie Bell as Minnie Templer
  • Frank Hector as Arthur Dicey
  • Hubert Willis as a tramp
  • Kate Tyndale as Aunt Martha
  • Evelyn Beaumont as Bella
  • Eileen Temple as Mrs. Claremce
  • R. Crompton as the God of Mars
  • B. Stanmore as the wounded man
  • Tonie Reith as the wounded man’s wife

Taglines

"A fantastical photo-drama, in four parts."

See also

References
  1. BFI press release (23 September 2014)
  2. "SFE: Lurgan, Lester". sf-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  3. BFI press release (4 December 2014)
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