Summary
The Lost Princess, a cinematic reverie from 1917, plunges into the psychological landscape of Samuel Blevins, Jr., an aspiring journalist whose agrarian existence chafes against his urban ambitions. Tethered to the soil, Samuel yearns for intellectual liberation, diligently pursuing a correspondence course in reportage. His eventual migration to the city, however, is met with widespread editorial indifference, a gauntlet of rejections that threaten to extinguish his burgeoning career. Fortuitously, the sagacious Ethel Williams, author of the widely read "Advice to the Lovelorn" column, discerns his latent talent, offering not only stylistic guidance but also a crucial recommendation to her managing editor. This professional mentorship blossoms into profound affection, propelling Samuel into a fantastical narrative quest. When a rival editor, fueled by unrequited desire for Elinor, attempts to sabotage Samuel's career with an impossible feature assignment, it is Ethel, now deeply enamored, who sparks his imagination with the tale of the hidden Princess Marie of Burvania. Samuel's fabricated story inadvertently summons a real-world (or dream-world) search, culminating in the astonishing revelation that Ethel herself is the elusive monarch. A perilous rescue from a nefarious trap ensues, only for Samuel to awaken, realizing the entire elaborate adventure was a vivid nocturnal fabrication. The dream, however, serves as a crucible, forging his resolve and leading him to craft a genuinely successful piece, securing his professional standing and, more importantly, his heartfelt union with Ethel, the muse who was always his true princess.
Synopsis
Samuel Blevins, Jr.'s farm work suffers while he pursues a correspondence course on newspaper reporting. After he leaves the family farm and goes to the city, editors all turn him down until Ethel Williams, the author of the "Advice to the Lovelorn" column, who helps him with his style, recommends him to her managing editor. The Sunday Magazine editor, who loves Elinor, tries to ruin Sam's career by giving him the difficult task of writing a feature article. When Sam fails to think of a good story, Ethel, who now loves him, tells of the lost Princess Marie of Burvania, who is hiding in the United States. Sam's story causes the Archduke of Burvania to search for Marie, who is really Ethel, and after she is persuaded to return, Sam rescues her from a trap. He awakens to discovers that the story is a dream, writes another which is a success, and finds happiness with Ethel.
Review Excerpt
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A Glimpse into the Cinematic Dreamscape of "The Lost Princess"
In the rich tapestry of early cinema, where narrative experimentation often danced with emergent storytelling techniques, "The Lost Princess" emerges as a fascinating artifact from 1917. This production, penned by Scott R. Dunlap and Joseph Anthony Roach, transcends a mere romantic drama, delving into the intricate interplay between aspiration, reality, and the potent escapism of the subconscious. It's a film that, d..."
