Jack and the Beanstalk (1912)

• 68%
• 1912
• Fantasy
• J. Searle Dawley
• Gladys Hulette
• Miriam Nesbitt
• Harry B. Eytinge

We see Jack and his mother very poor and the project of selling the cow discussed. Jack meets the familiar figure of the butcher who bargains with him for the cow and finally Jack consents to part with the animal for the wonderful beans which will grow up overnight until they reach the sky. He takes them to his mother, and, of course, she is heart-broken and throws the beans out of the window. The next morning the vine not only covers the window, but reaches far above the top of the house out of sight in the clouds, and we see Jack start to climb upward. Upon arriving at the giant's castle Jack meets the ogre's wife, who towers majestically above him, and after some parley is invited in, on his plea of hunger. Before he can be served the giant is heard and Jack is hidden in the kettle. The giant comes on and then follows the familiar scenes in which the ogre calls for his bags of gold, his magic harp and the wonderful hen that lays the golden eggs. While the giant dozes Jack takes first one of his treasures and then another and carries them to the top of the vine, where he throws them down toward the earth. But when he steals the harp the giant awakens, follows him and would probably catch him but for the good fairy, who, standing at the top of the vine, trips the giant and makes him lose his footing. Jack arrives safely at the bottom of the vine, shows his mother the treasures and then above them they hear the coming of the giant. Seizing an ax, Jack chops the vine and when it falls to the ground the giant tumbles after it, his immense head nearly filling the stage.