Volume II: Filmography

THE SPIRIT OF ENVY

August 19, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Cast: Mignon Anderson (the foolish wife)

ADVERTISEMENT, The New York Dramatic Mirror, August 13, 1913:

"As she looked at her husband - slow, unsuccessful, but honest - she realized that at all odds he had done nothing that might bring shame on her; and her passion for riches and the spirit of envy passed."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, August 23, 1913:

"The wife of the clerk was very happy with her husband and her child, although his earnings were small. But the wife's content with her surroundings was soon severely tested. An old schoolmate, who had married an officer in a large bank, called upon her, and, without intending it, roused the envy of the woman less fortunately situated. The wealthy woman took her old friend to a rich home and treated her with every consideration, but every evidence of wealth which met her eyes made her guest envy her more and more, and aroused a spirit of resentment toward her husband. The clerk was a subordinate in the office where he was employed, while the other woman's husband was one of the guiding hands of a large bank. The clerk's wife knew these conditions, and bitterly reviled her husband because he had not achieved success. The wealthy couple gave an elaborate reception at their home, and the clerk and his wife were invited. The woman did not want to go, but, urged by her husband, she accepted. They both felt very much out of place in the handsomely dressed throng, and wished themselves back in their home. The clerk's wife gazed at the commanding figure of the bank officer and wished that her husband was in his place. Suddenly loud voices were heard at the door, servants were brushed aside and policemen in uniforms entered, followed by several men in civilian clothes. They surrounded the host, handcuffs were placed on his wrists and he was led out. He had betrayed his trust and the hand of the law had seized him. The wife looked at her husband, slow and unsuccessful, but an honest man, realized that he would never do anything to bring shame upon her, and the spirit of envy passed away forever."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, August 24, 1913:

"Mignon Anderson plays the role of the foolish little wife, whose discontent with the things provided her, and the station of life into which she was cast through lack of riches, made her kind young husband very unhappy. The story is an excellent lesson, and its climax comes when, at a large reception at her friend's house, the husband of the friend, who is a bank manager, is arrested for misappropriation of the bank funds. The terrible disgrace of the circumstance, and the sorrow caused to her friend, whose home and money had been a matter of envy to her, awakened in her heart the spirit of the true woman and a realization of the fact that it is better to have an honest husband than a rich one."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, August 23, 1913:

"A picture so thoroughly natural will appeal to many people. The young clerk's wife is very envious of her former school chum, whose husband is a banker. At her friend's party, the young wife is ashamed of her clothes and very miserable, until the young banker is accused of embezzlement. Then she thinks better of her own lot. The human touch gives it appeal."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, September 10, 1913:

"The moral of this photoplay, rather vividly sent home, is to be satisfied, struggling as one is without coveting riches until they have been owned. Good judgment and technique have been exercised by the players in developing the various principal characters in this story, and while the author has constructed his plot with satisfactory continuity and a dramatic climax, it is largely to the players the credit is due for the splendid impression left. Treated in a less skilled manner by players and director, the story would sink to the ordinary. We first have two women friends contrasted in their positions. One is the wife of a banker, and other is the wife of a struggling clerk. Having the association of the banker's wife, the other woman feels her poverty, and her husband's minor position in the world. She displays ill will to the husband and becomes generally miserable until the husband of her friend is arrested for embezzlement. We have seen the crash coming, but the surprise and tragedy make the poor wife thankful that she has married an honest man."

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