The Blue Rose (1913)
After toiling for a lifetime to perfect a species of Blue Rose. Matthew Keith, a poor, aged florist, at last achieves his species and looks forward with joyous anticipation to displaying it at the big annual Spring Flower Show. Herman Von Veldt, a rich rival florist, hears of the wonderful flower and exclaimed that he would give a thousand dollars to get possession of it. His son, Carl, overhears the exclamation and offers to secure the Blue Rose. Carl is fond of high life and needs money to pay debts. Disguised as an old photographer, Carl goes to Keith's green-house. He meets Agnes, the florist's attractive daughter, who, with pride, shows him the beautiful flower. She is called away for an instant, and Carl cuts off a shoot of the rosebush and sprays the rose with a blighting acid. Von Veldt is delighted. The shrewd florist takes the catting into one of his green-houses, where he plants it and gives stern instructions regarding its cultivation. Old Keith is horror-stricken. His health becomes shattered from grieving over his loss and months later, when the sweet spring days are at hand, he lies ill in bed looking forlornly at his flowerless rosebud. The stolen cutting develops into a sturdy plant and a small bud comes out upon one of its branches. Von Veldt, now sure of his success, telephones to the newspapers about the Blue Rose, which he is going to show at the spring exhibit. Agnes, the old florist's daughter, sees the article and decides to investigate. She obtains employment in Von Veldt's flower shop. She and Carl do not recognize each other. Carl and Agnes fall in love. Through him she gets to see the Blue Rose, a great privilege, contrary to Von Veldt's strict orders. While Agnes looks with wondering eyes at the rose, now full-grown, Carl jokingly tells her how he secured it. White with indignation, she turns and says passionately, "I am the girl you tricked, you thief!" Carl is grief-stricken. Agnes rushes off to Von Veldt and begs for the return of the Blue Rose to her stricken father. Carl backs her up by threatening to reveal the theft. The wealthy florist is determined to keep the plant. On the day of the exhibition, Keith at last discovers a new bud on his rosebush. Agnes shares his joy. At the last minute the old florist plans to exhibit the new blossom. When Keith arrives at the great flower exhibit where over five hundred thousand blossoming plants of all kinds adorn a luxurious Eden of beauty, he recognizes the Blue Rose and claims it as his own. Von Veldt calls him an impostor. Several frock-coated officials push their way through the crowd and see Keith tear the wrapping from the parent plant, revealing the new bud, proving that it has blossomed twice. Keith receives the reward of a life's ambition when he accepts a check for five thousand dollars, a well-merited prize. The second award is realized when, as the old florist looks proudly at his Blue Rose, Agnes and Carl steal a loving kiss.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Van Dyke Brooke | Director |
| E.M. Nelson | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Anders Randolf | |
| Norma Talmadge | |
| Van Dyke Brooke | |
| Leo Delaney |
