Volume II: Filmography

THE COURT'S DECREE

July 7, 1911 (Friday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Cast: Marie Eline (the little daughter), Julia M. Taylor (Violet Gray)

Notes: 1. This film was the last of the "Violet Gray, Detective" series, which consisted of the following: Love and Law (December 13, 1910), The Vote That Counted (January 13, 1911), The Norwood Necklace (February 10, 1911), and The Court's Decree (July 7, 1911). 2. Production of the film occurred in April 1911. 3. A review in The Morning Telegraph, July 9, 1911, was titled The Court's Order.

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, July 1, 1911:

"As the latest and perhaps the best issue in the successful Violet Gray Detective Series, this is assuredly worth booking and boosting. While the wind-up of the picture is quite happy, the story is not the conventional 'nice ending' kind. Indeed, it is so true to life that it finds Detective Gray allied to the side to which your sympathies aren't - but that's where she'd be in real life, and the 'real life' element in motion pictures is the one that appeals to the public."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, July 1, 1911:

"The Blakes are a couple who because of difference in temperament and a failure on both sides to make concessions have drifted apart. The wife is only mildly interested when her husband proposes to secure a separation. In fact, her principal feeling is one of relief. But her indifference quickly vanishes when the court decree is handed down granting the separation, but awarding the custody of the child to the husband. Mrs. Blake wants her little girl and, failing to obtain her legally, resorts to trickery. She disguises herself and is engaged as governess of her own little daughter now living in the home of her husband's aunt. The child, who has wept much for her mother, on being told the identity of the new governess gladly agrees to go with her. The two go walking, and the governess returns with the news that the child has wandered away. Her hat found on the shore of a lake in the park gives color to the belief that she has been drowned. This theory is accepted, and the governess discharged. She goes away happy in the belief that her stratagem has succeeded, for she had hidden the child in her poor rooms, meaning to take her away and begin a new life in some other city.

"Her pitiful plan might have been a success for its very daring, had it not been for Violet Gray, the detective. Violet, suspicious of the supposed governess, tracked her to her rooms and from the fire escape saw her fondling a boy, for little Marie had also been disguised. The detective brings the father to the house and he at once recognizes the child. Violet tears the disguise from the mother, and Blake sees his unhappy wife. She pleas with him and the child clings to her. Blake realizes that with a daughter the mother comes first. He loves his child and wants to make her happy. Legally he is entitled to her custody; morally he realizes that he is not. Sadly, he places the child in her mother's arms and with bowed head starts out alone. But this Marie will not allow. She has her mother, but she wants her father too. She runs after him and begs him to remain with him. Both parents realize that they paid too much attention to little things, and that they have overlooked a big thing in their lives, their child. They decide to forgive and forget and begin life anew, remembering that they have one treasure which they can never divide - the love of a little girl."

REVIEW, The Billboard, July 15, 1911: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, July 9, 1911:

"There is a certain heart appeal in this photo-drama of what has become an almost everyday episode in the lives of the married folk of our land, but the contributory features of the story are extremely trite, and do not add to it or strengthen it. The introduction of the detective, seen in other Thanhouser pictures, makes it rather ordinary and somewhat amusing at times, for there is really no great detection done. On the other hand, there are probably many, many spectators to whom just this sort of thing will appeal, and thus it can be excused. The story surrounds a divorced couple, their child is given over to the husband, his aunt who takes care of it, a woman detective who discovers its whereabouts after the mother has kidnapped it (she taking the disguise of the governess for the little girl), court officers, etc. In the end a reconciliation is brought about through the child and the detective. The story does hold the interest, although it is evident what the finish will be long before it is reached. It is adequately put on and most capably played."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 22, 1911:

"The court's decree, in granting the husband the divorce, is that he should have custody of the little child (little Marie Eline). This story tells how the mother, frantic with love for the child, attempted to kidnap her and how she was foiled by a clever lady detective, and how she and her husband were reconciled. Little Marie Eline's acting is very popular, and this is not surprising. In this picture her playing is remarkably intelligent. The Thanhouser kid has genius. The other parts in the picture are well acted, of course. It is a very commendable film."

Note: This is one of many instances in this era in which the reviewer for The Moving Picture World recognized Marie Eline but was not aware of the identities of the other players.

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, July 12, 1911:

"A pleasing detective story is unfolded on this film, worked out with care by consistent and logical treatment. The court decrees that after the divorce the child shall go to the father. She is taken to live with an aunt and her mother appears upon the scene in disguise and is hired as governess. She takes the child to a room she has hired and leaves her daughter's hat by the pond and thus tries to persuade the family that the child is drowned. Violet Gray, a detective, is called in, exposes the fraud, and likewise brings about a reconciliation."

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