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The Right to Be Happy
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Wikipedia article
'The Right to Be Happy' is a 1916 American silent Christmas fantasy film directed by Rupert Julian. The film is based on the 1843 novella 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. The movie stars Rupert Julian as Ebenezer Scrooge and Claire McDowell as Mrs. Cratchit.
The Bluebird photoplay was produced by Universal and released on December 25, 1916.
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Plot
The film is a retelling of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', recounting the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Rupert Julian. Scrooge is an elderly miser and curmudgeon. Alone in his room on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley portrayed by Harry Carter. Marleys ghost tells Scrooge three spirits will visit him over the next three nights.
Scrooge's first visit is by the Ghost of Christmas Past played by Wadsworth Harris. The Ghost shows Scrooge's development from a young boy to a young man. He sees how he started to become a miser.
Then, the Ghost of Christmas Present played by Richard L'Estrange appears, who shows Scrooge how the Cratchit family has fared. He finds out, unless the future changes, the Cratchit's disabled son, Tiny Tim featuring (Frankie Lee), will die.
The last spirit Scrooge meets is The Ghost of the Future played by (Tom Figee). This figure shows Scrooge scenes of people discussing someone's death. Nobody in the room seems concerned about the dead person. Scrooge doesn't know who the dead man is. Then, he finds out Tiny Tim has also passed. Next, Scrooge discovers he is the man whose death is celebrated.
He vows to change his ways and become a new person. Finally, Scrooge wakes up at home and finds out all the spiritual visits had happened during Christmas Eve. He also finds out today is Christmas Day.
Each visit positively changed Scrooge; he transforms into a kinder, gentler man full of Christmas spirit.
Cast
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Preservation status
According to the Library of Congress website, this film has a current status of No holdings located in archives, thus it is presumed all copies of this film are lost.
Gallery
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|File:Rupert Julian, silent films (SAYRE 4913).jpg
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|File:Early silent film actress Francelia Billington (SAYRE 7738).jpg
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|File:Emory Johnson A.png
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|File:The Westerners (1919) - Lee.jpg
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|File:Harry Carter - May 1920 EH.jpg
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|File:Claire McDowell 01.jpg
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|File:Lydia Yeamans Titus NYPL.JPG
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|File:Wadsworth Harris.jpg
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Notes
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A report created by film historian and archivist David Pierce for the Library of Congress claims:
*75% of original silent-era films have perished.
*14% of the 10,919 silent films released by major studios exist in their original 35mm or other formats.
*11% survive in full-length foreign versions or on film formats of lesser image quality.
Many silent-era films did not survive for various reasons, as explained in the Wikipedia page on the subject.
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References
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