Volume II: Filmography

A GENTLEMAN FOR A DAY

July 17, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (704 feet)

Character: Children's drama-comedy

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Leland Benham (Leland, a little boy), Helen Badgley (Helen, who laughs at him), Ethyle Cooke (his mother), Roy Hauck (his playmate), Ethel Jewett, Janet Henry, and various children

Note: This film, although far short of a full reel in length, was designated by Thanhouser as one reel.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, July 11, 1914:

"Leland is spanked by his mother for going in swimming. A rich little girl, passing in an automobile, laughs at him. Leland wishes he were a rich boy. He falls asleep and dreams that his mother is wealthy and that he is sent to a private school. There he meets Helen, the little girl who laughed at him. The boys who used to play with him call him 'Sissy' now. Leland awakes to find it all a dream, and, when his mother tells him he can go swimming, he runs joyfully off to join his playmates."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, November 12, 1914:

"A satisfactory children's film, showing how a small boy dreams that he is rich and wakes to be glad, after all, that he is poor. The acting of the various clever juvenile performers concerned is quite delightful and largely atones for the comparative absence of plot."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, July 12, 1914:

"A typical specimen of the genus small boy receives a severe chastisement from his mother, who is not of the class that believes in mental suasion, for going in swimming without permission. A rich little girl, passing in her automobile immediately thereafter, laughs at him. He falls asleep and dreams that he is a rich boy. He meets the little girl and decides she's not so wonderful. Also the boys who used to play with him call him 'Sissy' now. He comes to the conclusion that the game isn't worth the candle and when his mother tells him he can go swimming he joyfully joins his comrades."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 25, 1914:

"A pretty picture, giving a dream that a poor boy has in which he thinks he is a rich boy. It has a thoroughly delightful comedy prologue full of poetry and childhood spirit, and the dream scenes are graceful and full of beauty. All the chief players are children and among them that most charming of child players, the Kidlet, is prominent. A picture that will be wholly enjoyed."

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