Volume II: Filmography

THE MIRACLE

British release title: LOVE'S MIRACLE

September 26, 1915 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (845 feet)

Character: Drama

Cast: Eleanor Spaulding (Annie, a cripple), Ethel Jewett (mother), Tulla Hough/Tula Belle (daughter)

Notes: 1. In the Thanhouser advertisement for this film in The Moving Picture World the release date was given erroneously as Saturday, August 24, 1915, a multiple error, for August 24th was a Friday, and, further, the film was released neither on August 24th nor Thursday nor Friday. 2. Tulla Hough and Tula Belle were the same person. In some credits she was listed as Tulla Hough, and in others her name appeared as Tula Belle. Refer to the Tula Belle biographical listing for further information.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, October 2, 1915:

"It was with the simple, abiding faith of a child that old Annie, crippled and recluse, had prayed for many years that she might be healed. Every day, rain or shine, she went to a little roadside shrine, where her prayers to her patron saint were sent up. So badly was she crippled and bent, so shy was she, that the people of the village did not understand her. Instead of the loving, big-hearted woman, whose one big love in life was for children, they believed her a crabbed old recluse who might harm them. The children, themselves, were taught to run and hide from 'the old witch.' That was what hurt the tender-hearted old Annie more than anything else. It was, therefore, more wonderful when she finally won the love of one little girl, who, in return for the presents Annie laid at her feet, brought her berries and wild flowers.

"On one of her regular daily visits to her shrine, the old woman was more discouraged than ever, for all the little ones had quit their games at her approach and fled. She stood up from her prayers, her eyes filled with tears, as she peered out over the landscape. What she saw, though, brought her bent old body erect and she tried to run on her crutches. It was the one little creature in all the world who loved her, that old Annie had seen. The little one lay still and helpless across a railroad track, with her foot caught in a frog. Far off, Annie could see the smoke from the approaching train. Once more she tried to go forward to the aid of the little one she loved, and once more she was helpless. Then she turned to her shrine in her despair. She flung out her arms, praying for a miracle. 'Oh, Father!' she cried. 'Give me strength just long enough to save her, and I'll never ask for more.' Old Annie turned once more to gaze out to where her loved one lay. She tried to take one step again. The miracle had happened! With all the fleetness that love could give her, the little old lady's feet flew over the ground towards the railroad. Just as the last tug had loosened the child's foot and both rescuer and rescued went tumbling down the embankment, the train that might have destroyed the little one flashed by. And it was this that the child's mother saw when she, too, reached the place, believing her daughter crushed. Of course, old Annie went home with mother and daughter. Both would have nothing else, for it was at that home, they said, that the little old lady would henceforth live."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 9, 1915:

"A simple story, yet quite effective. It pictures an old woman, lonely and crippled, who loves children. They do not care for her until she saves the little girl from being run over by a train. The averted accident was very realistic."

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