The early days of American cinema come vividly to life in the delightful first in a new series from the pseudonymous Fleming (The Organizer
as Kate Gallison). In the fall of 1909, Philadelphians Emily and Adam Weiss use all their money to form Melpomene Moving Picture Studios. The newlyweds secure a contract with attorney Howie Kazanow to deliver four one-reel movies by the 23rd of that month. If they miss the deadline, Kazanow gets everything. Filming in New York is impossible because sneaky detectives for Thomas Edison's Motion Picture Patents Company will shut down any competitors. Weiss and company, including the talented if often inebriated Robert Montmorency, Russian Vera Zinovia, and ingenue Fay Winningly, head for Fort Lee, N.J., to avoid problems. Complications arise after Adam is arrested for stabbing an Edison detective to death in this sprightly mix of silver screen melodrama and mystery. (Apr.)
