The Haunted Bedroom (1913)

Very Cool!!!

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Blistering performances.

This screen presentation of a story by Rita is creepy enough to please the most hardened observer. Double photography is employed to show the ghost of Paul, guarding the money he hid in the haunted room. This is a sure enough ghost story and is subject to all the objections some people make to this type of entertainment, but on the other hand many observers will enjoy its thrill. Mabel Trunnelle, Jack Strong and Augustus Phillips are in the cast. - The Moving Picture World, January 3, 1914

The Haunted Bedroom (1913) *** (out of 4)A man and woman want to get married but his father refuses to grant his permission because the woman doesn't have any money. What little money the woman does have she gives to her brother so that he can gamble with it in hopes and making more. Before he can give her the money he dies but he is able to hide it in a location where he haunts the room so that no one else can find it. THE HAUNTED BEDROOM comes from Edison and I must admit that it has one of the most far-fetched stories that you're ever going to watch. I won't ruin the ending but to say it gets somewhat laughable would be an understatement but at the same time there's no question that this two-reeler is mildly entertaining for what it is. I really enjoyed the special effects, which were pretty good for a 1913 film. The image of the "ghost" was nice and I thought it looked quite well and believable. It's certainly much better looking than the majority of CGI ghosts that haunt current movies.

Another charming short from Edison - not in the tippest top condition but the orange and gold tones are very striking. Have a feeling that it is based on a story from Balzac - he did a series of books about the history of the "Rouget" family. Mabel Trunnelle was often paired with her husband Herbert Prior in Edison films until 1917 when she was "let go" and contrary to what is noted in IMDb, Prior didn't play Jean but the later introduced Lord Wentworth(??) who finally breaks the curse of the haunted bedroom.Lizette loves Jean but a 10,000 franc dowry insisted upon by Jean's father is keeping them apart. Paul, Lizette's "black sheep" brother, begs that she gives him her saved money so he can increase it for her - at the gaming table!! He does win but there are a few who are determined he shall not reach home with his money. Paul also suffers from a bad heart and with the stress he feels from being set upon, he takes refuge at an inn. He seals the money up in an envelope addressed to Lizette Rouget but dies before he can deliver it safely to her. Lizette is now destitute, Jean having long ago deserted her but the ghost of Paul continues to haunt the inn's bedroom to guard the money from "unworthy hands". Enter Lord Wentworth who finds the money and instantly is on his way to Lizette's garret. Paul's job is now done.