The Opening Night's primary photo
  • The Opening Night (1915)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Opening Night
The Opening Night (1915)
Short | Short, Drama
Nina Vaughn, an actress, who for two years has deserted the stage for married life, is unhappy with her husband because of his unfaithfulness to her and his continued gambling. Vaughn is carrying on an affair with May, a chorus girl, and ...See moreNina Vaughn, an actress, who for two years has deserted the stage for married life, is unhappy with her husband because of his unfaithfulness to her and his continued gambling. Vaughn is carrying on an affair with May, a chorus girl, and not having the money to entertain her elsewhere, brings her to the house, where he orders Peters, the family butler, to serve them tea. Peters, whose sympathies are with Nina, purposely spills tea over May's dress in order to get her to leave. Benheim, a theatrical man, is looking for a star to create the leading role in a new play that he is about to produce and finally persuades Nina to assume the role. Hoping to secure grounds for a divorce from Nina, Vaughn follows her to Benheim's apartments, where she has gone to talk over the play. Bursting into the room, he accuses Nina and Benheim, but Powers, the leading man of the production, who has stood unnoticed beside the door, tells Vaughn that his suspicions are unfounded. Benheim is angered at Vaughn's actions and throws him out of the apartment. Vaughn swears to them that he will spoil the opening night of the play if it costs him his life. The date of the opening arrives, but Vaughn, having forgotten all about his threat, has planned to leave the city with May. He steals Nina's jewels and pawns them to get the money, but upon arriving at May's room he is introduced to her husband, who has arrived from a road tour. In a reckless mood he leaves and goes to the club, where he loses the money at gambling. Leaving the club he decides to commit suicide, and then, recalling his threat to spoil the opening night, proceeds to the theater. By this time the play is just about closing the second act and is almost an assured success. Vaughn arrives at the theater while the third act is in progress. Aware of a certain piece of business at the close of the third act in which Nina calls over the phone for help. Vaughn takes the coil of wire, which he finds in the wings and which is attached to the phone on the stage set and connects it to the phone in Nina's dressing room. Then, gun in hand, he sits down to wait for the play to reach the point where she phones. The act progresses and Nina stakes down the receiver and over the wires comes Vaughn's voice telling her that he is committing suicide in her dressing room. A moment later the shot sounds over the wire. Nina gains control of herself and goes on with the act. Benheim, not thinking that she knows of the affair, has the body carried out. Nina goes back on the stage and finishes the fourth act and the play is a success. Coming off she collapses and tells Benheim that she heard the shot that killed Vaughn. She shows him the wire connecting the two phones and tells him that for the sake of the play she pretended ignorance of the affair. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Burton L. King
Writer
F. McGrew Willis (story)
See all filmmakers & crew (2)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jul 15, 1915
Release date
Jul 15, 1915 (United States)

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Cast

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5 cast members
Name Known for
Adele Lane's primary photo
Adele Lane
Nina Vaughan Nina Vaughan   See fewer
The Story of Cupid (1914)
Edward Sloman's primary photo
Edward Sloman
Vaughan - Nina's Husband Vaughan - Nina's Husband   See fewer
The Mantle of Charity (1918)
Olive Adair's primary photo
Olive Adair
May - a Chorus Girl May - a Chorus Girl   See fewer
The Shadow (1916)
Harry Linkey's primary photo
Harry Linkey
Benheim - Theatrical Agent Benheim - Theatrical Agent   See fewer
The Masked Rider (1916)
Van Dyke Sheldon's primary photo
Van Dyke Sheldon
Powers (as Mr. Sheldon) Powers (as Mr. Sheldon)   See fewer
Robin Hood (1912)
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