Volume II: Filmography

AN UNFAIR EXCHANGE

September 23, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel (1,010 feet)

Character: Drama

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Madeline and Marion Fairbanks, Eugene Moore

Notes: 1. The title was incorrectly listed as An Unfair Advantage in the October 8, 1913 issue of The New York Dramatic Mirror and in at least two other notices. 2. A review in the September 27, 1913 issue of The Moving Picture World incorrectly stated the release date of the film as September 26, 1913.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, September 27, 1913:

"A wealthy New Yorker disinherited his son because he disliked the woman he married. The son went South to live, where his wife died, and he brought up his little daughter. The years passed, and finally the man in New York received word that his son had passed away, and that the little orphan had been shipped to him by steamer. The day the boat docked the old man went to meet it, but was delayed by an auto accident, and when he arrived at the pier, he found no trace of the child. The police were notified, but in a few minutes the grandfather called off the search, explaining that the child had turned up. He did not suspect that he had been the victim of a deception, but the fact was that the child who appeared was not his grand-daughter. As later developed, the little girl wandered around the streets until she was exhausted, and then met another child who closely resembled her. This girl, the daughter of a brutal laborer, was planning to run away from home, and noting the resemblance, had a wicked idea. She decoyed the other child to her home, induced her to rest, exchanged clothing with her while she slept, and then departed to meet the trusting old grandfather. The little girl from the South, when she woke, found none to believe her story, and friendless and alone, seemed doomed to a life of squalor and wretchedness. A kindly old washerwoman, however, played detective, and aided by a strange coincidence, was enabled to straighten out the tangle, and bring the right child back to the home of her grandfather, where her latter years were peaceful and happy. She forgave the other little girl, and the aid she extended to her enabled her in time to rise to a better position in the world."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, September 30, 1913:

"It is always a question as to just what a child will take into his or her head to do at any particular moment. One is never quite sure as to their point of view, even though we watch them day after day and try to fathom their processes of reasoning. An Unfair Exchange deals with the action of a little girl of the tenements - abused by a brutal father until she decides to run away when the opportunity presents itself, to change places with another girl of her own age who closely resembles her, and inherits a life of luxury. The son of a wealthy New Yorker, who marries against his father's wishes and goes South with his wife after he has been disinherited, becomes the father of a beautiful little girl. Subsequently, his wife dies - and when he himself is struggling with a fatal illness, he makes arrangements to send his daughter North after his death.

"Her grandfather is notified when her steamer is due and, having forgiven his son, is hurrying to meet her - but is delayed by a motor accident. The little girl wanders off the pier and loses herself in the city streets. No one believes the story she tells - until she meets the tenement girl who is running away. This child knows the city well enough to test the story - and taking the Southern girl home, forces her to change clothes. It is a pretty serious position for a little girl who has never been accustomed to rough life - but a good hearted old washer-woman suspects the trick, believes her story and takes her to the grandfather's house where she confronts the little imposter and proves her own identity. The acting of the children in this play is surprisingly good and the story is absorbing from start to finish."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, December 11, 1913:

"It is something of an axiom amongst exhibitors that films containing child players are always successful, provided, of course, that the child players be competent artistes. In view of this fact, it is safe to prophesy a very wide and immediate popularity for the present picture, which is as charming a story of the kind as one has seen for a long time. Really clever child artistes are rare as a rule, but the Thanhouser Company seem to have secured a regular galaxy of juvenile 'stars,' including that inimitable youngster who is commonly known as the 'Kidlet.' In An Unfair Exchange, which is a first-rate dramatic comedy, we have two of the most talented little girls who have ever appeared on the screen, not to mention a momentary glimpse of the aforementioned 'Kidlet.' For the purposes of the play, which is a modern comedy of errors, these two child actresses are 'made up' (with the aid, no doubt, of nature) to resemble each other to such an astonishing degree of exactness that, did not the circumstances render it impossible, one would swear it all to be a cunning piece of double photography. The interest of the film does not end with the players, however, for the plot is unusually effective and entirely original. It is not often that a playwright can rely upon the services of two artistes so utterly identical in appearance, and the fortunate author of An Unfair Exchange has made the most of his unique opportunity. Everybody acts well, though the children are the 'stars' of the piece, and there are some interesting incidental glimpses of New York harbour. An Unfair Exchange will delight all who see it."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, September 28, 1913:

"The story is not exactly clear in this picture, but nevertheless it is a good release. The children who play the leads are exceptionally clever. A little girl of the tenements, ill-treated by her father, runs away and changes places with another child resembling her, whose home is one of luxury. A woman who works in the wealthy home sees the little girl in the tenement district and noting her likeness to the other takes her back to her father where, telling her story, everything is made right. The picture gives the impression that the children are sisters."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 4, 1913:

"The presence of two pretty twin girls in this picture helps the interest very much. One of them enters New York alone and gets into a tenement house, where her girl double exchanges clothes with her. There was not quite enough contrast in the way they were dressed. The story, however, holds the attention well and both girls finally find a happy home with the first one's grandfather. A nice little story."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, October 8, 1913:

"A little girl comes to New York to live with her wealthy grandfather. She loses her way, and spends the night at the home of a little tenement house girl, who resembles her to a startling degree. The poor child is quite sensible of this as well as of the other's story, so while the wealthy girl is asleep she changes places with her, and presents herself to the grandfather. He is readily persuaded she is the one he expects, although she soon proves petulant and a trial to his patience. Meanwhile the other has awakened to a life of misery. She tells her story, but all think she is the other child out of her mind. Eventually a poor laundress, who lives next door, does some work for the grandfather, and sees the usurper. She realizes then the truth of the other's story, and brings to her the old man who welcomes her with all his heart. The wronged child pleads for the other, however, and she is adopted. A pretty little story, clear from beginning to end, and well handled in the matters of acting and photography. The situation is not new, but it is carried out in a new way without being overdone. It makes a good offering with plenty of human appeal."

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