''The Living Ladder'' ( nl, De Levende Ladder) is a 1913

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

silent

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by

Maurits Binger Maurits Binger (5 April 1868 – 9 April 1923) was a Dutch film director, film producer, producer and screenwriter of the silent film, silent era. He directed 39 films between 1913 and 1922 and is considered one of the pioneers of fictional ...

and Louis H. Chrispijn. It was the first feature film from the Netherlands.

Plot

In a small Dutch village, Annie is treated by her parents to a circus performance in honor of her birthday. When he sees Annie, the clown Janus (Pedro in the English version) falls in love with her and gives her a message. Annie writes back that she will see him gladly if her father agrees, but her father forbids any romance with a clown. The circus leaves the village. Several months later, Annie's father takes her to her aunt's village, hoping it will make her forget the clown. By coincidence, Janus' circus comes to perform in the same village. One night, a fire breaks out in the mill of Annie's Aunt, and the whole village, including the circus performers, rush to help. Annie is trapped at the top of the mill and the fire brigade's ladder proves too short. The circus clowns form a 'living ladder' by climbing on each other's shoulders and Janus is able to save Annie. Her father finally accepts their love.

Cast

* Annie Bos as Annie *

Alex Benno Alex Benno (2 November 1873 – 2 April 1952) was a Dutch film actor, screenwriter and film director, director of the silent film, silent era. He appeared in 15 films between 1913 and 1920. Filmography * ''John Heriot's Wife'' (1920) * ''S ...

as Janus Blanus * Koba Kinsbergen as Annie's sister *

Barend Barendse Barend or (somewhat dated spelling) Barent is a Dutch male given name and occasional middle name. As of 2014, there are over 4,000 men in the Netherlands with this as their first name, and nearly 3,000 with it as their middle name. It was likely de ...

as Annie's father *

Louis Bouwmeester Louis Frederik Johannes Bouwmeester (5 September 1842 – 28 April 1925) was a Dutch actor best known for his Shakespeare interpretations. He is also known as Louis Bouwmeester Sr. for distinction from his son. He performed several times in Vien ...

as a clown

Preservation

The original 50 minute version is considered lost. Only a 25 minute tinted English version, titled ''The Burning Mill'' is available.

References

External links

*
levende ladder (1913) The Living Ladder''
a
A Cinema History

levende ladder''
a
EYE Film Institute Netherlands
{{DEFAULTSORT:Living Ladder 1913 films Dutch silent feature films Dutch black-and-white films 1913 drama films Films directed by Maurits Binger Films directed by Louis H. Chrispijn Dutch drama films Silent drama films