An Awful Moment (1908)

As a judge passes sentence on a man, a gypsy woman in the audience vehemently protests, and she has to be physically removed from the courtroom. Soon afterwards, the judge returns home, and... See full summary »

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

D.W. Griffith

Stars:

George Gebhardt, Marion Leonard, Harry Solter

Cast

Credited cast:
George Gebhardt	...	Matteo Rettazzi / Policeman
Marion Leonard	...	Fiammetta, Matteo's Wife
Harry Solter	...	Judge Mowbray
Florence Lawrence	...	Mrs. Mowbray
Gladys Egan	...	The Mowbrays' Daughter
Linda Arvidson	...	The Maid
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Florence Barker
Dorothy Bernard
Kate Bruce
Charles Gorman
Gertrude Robinson	...	Woman in Court
Mack Sennett	...	Policeman / Man in Court
Dorothy West

Storyline

As a judge passes sentence on a man, a gypsy woman in the audience vehemently protests, and she has to be physically removed from the courtroom. Soon afterwards, the judge returns home, and enjoys some time with his wife and child. But all the while, the gypsy woman is watching him closely, and is plotting a cruel revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

gypsy | melodrama

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Genres:

Drama | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1908 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Mutoscope & Biograph

Technical Specs

Runtime:

12 min 12 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Revenge of the Gypsy

On Christmas Eve, Judge Harry Solter "throws the book" at gypsy George Gebhardt; the convicted man's wife, Marion Lenard, delivers a furious protest, and is hauled out of the court. Later, the gypsy woman trails Judge Solter to his home, seeking revenge. Home, the Judge and wife Florence Lawrence are preoccupied with Christmas -- he is sneaking around a packaged frock for her; and, she has wrapped a rifle for him. Little Gladys Egan, their daughter, is (presumably) looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus; instead, Gypsy Lenard climbs in through the window, ready to enact her terrifying revenge…

Director D.W. Griffith's 1908 Christmas gift to filmgoers doesn't quite deliver the goods; though, the final scene captures the spirit of the season. Mainly, "An Awful Moment" climaxes with an often filmed set-up involving: a bound and gagged woman, a gun, and a string. In this film, the awful moment isn't very suspenseful. Probably due to camera and budget restrictions, it's not very clear how a rescue is to be achieved; additionally, you have to assume this family takes some heavy sleeping potion -- little Gladys is an especially heavy Christmas Eve sleeper!