Lost1914Thanhouser CompanyOne reelDrama

In Peril’s Path

Name: In Peril’s Path
Genre: Drama
Released: 1914-08-14

No copy you can watch online. No print is known to survive. What follows is what does: the release, the cast, the story, and what the trade press said at the time.

The story

“Mrs. Jones has been postmistress of Rosedale ever since her husband’s death. Everybody seems to be satisfied except Jim Hankins, the local political leader, who tries to convince the villagers that a man should have the position, and that no one is better fitted to be postmaster than himself. A close election proves Hankins’ opportunity, and it is voted that he shall succeed the widow.

“Mrs. Jones is inconsolable, for she has three children dependent upon her. One night Hankins is returning home from a spree, when he falls upon the railroad track. Only the quick wit of Leland Jones, the ten-year-old son of the ex-postmistress, saves him from being run over. And it transpires that even an unscrupulous politician may have a conscience.”

Summary from The Moving Picture World · 15 August 1914

What the papers said

3 reviews

Read in full · 1 min

“A very pretty and human little story, dealing with the effect of American political chicanery upon a poor woman’s honest means of livelihood. In general character the film reminds one the Thanhouser Company’s recent film, McCarn Plays Fate, though the present picture contains rather more human interest. British audiences may find it rather hard to understand the scandalous conditions prevailing in American public affairs, which make such stories as these perfectly true to life. The interest of plays based upon these circumstances, however, should certainly not be diminished on that account. For the rest, it may be said that In Peril’s Path is a very pretty little story, which might have been mawkish but is not, because it is so beautifully acted. Mr. [sic] C.L. Hastings, Mr. Arthur Bauer, Mr. Justus Barnes, and some of those inimitable Thanhouser children appear in the film, which is also notable for some striking minor character studies.”

The Bioscope · 26 November 1914

“The political leader, who has just had himself named postmaster to succeed Mrs. Jones, who has held the position for years and who has several small children dependent upon her, falls on the railroad track when returning from a spree and is saved by Mrs. Jones’ son. It is proved that even a politician may know what gratitude is.”

The Morning Telegraph · 9 August 1914

More reviews

15 August 1914The Moving Picture World1 min

“This is an enjoyable small-town story. The country politician succeeds in becoming appointed postmaster in place of the widow who had succeeded her husband in that office. But the widow’s small boy saves him as he lies intoxicated before an approaching train, so he refuses to take the post-office. A simple, appealing plot, well photographed and nicely presented throughout.”

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Cast and crew

Cast: Carey L. Hastings as Postmistress Jones
: Justus D. Barnes
: Leland Benham as Leland Jones
: Madeline Fairbanks
: Marion Fairbanks

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More about this film

From Volume II: Filmography of Q. David Bowers’ Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History, reproduced with permission and unchanged. Read the history of 1914 →

Cite as: Bowers, Q. David. Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History, “In Peril’s Path”. thanhouser.org/films/in-peril-s-path/

Where a print is held

Held by: No print known