Three Musketeers, The

1546. THE THREE MUSKETEERS (D’ARTAGNAN) (1916-usa). WITH orrin iohnson, Dorothy DALTON, LOUISE GLAUM, WALT WHITMAN. ALEXANDRE DUMAS’ all-time favorite historical adventure/romance has over the decades proved a popular celluloid property. It was filmed as long ago as 1912, and as recently as 1973; such actors as Douglas Fairbanks, Don Ameche, Michael York, Walter Abel and even Gene Kelly have portrayed D’Artagnan, Dumas’ swashbuckling hero. This version of the story is a fascinating and charming curio with Orrin Johnson, a turn-of-the-century stage star, making a fine D’Artagnan, The scenario, of course, is set in 17th Century France, and details DArtagnan’s plight as he comes to Paris and attempts to take his place as a member of King Louis XIII’s Musketeers. D’Artagnan befriends the title trio and attempts to thwart a plot by “the craftiest brain in Europe,” the manipulative, power-mad Cardinal Richelieu (Walt Whitman, not the poet, but a prolific silent screen character actor), and Miladi de Winter, “the most dangerous woman in Europe” and a spy for the cardinal. They are conspiring to gain power in the king’s court by harassing Queen Anne, and attempting lo prove her unfaithful. She is secretly in love with the Duke of Buckingham; D’Artagnan and his comrades eventuÂally set off on a clandestine journey to London to recover her diamond studs, a gift from the king, that the queen had indiscreetly given Buckingham. A happy combination of spirited swordplay and intrigue, as well as one of the seminal films of its genre. “Silent” film with original organ score, correct projection speed. 74 minutes. ÒSilentÓ Drama