Volume II: Filmography

BABY'S JOY RIDE

November 18, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel (1,012 feet)

Character: Comedy-drama

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Harry Benham (John Winters), Lila Chester (Beatrice, his wife), Helen Badgley (Dorothy, their child); Carey L. Hastings (the cook)

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, November 15, 1913:

"It was in the tonneau of her papa's car, but papa didn't know it, or mamma either, so there was great confusion in the household."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, November 22, 1913:

"Baby's parents lived in a suburban town, and the father was accustomed to driving to his place of business each day in his own auto. Baby had an idea that she, too, would like to do business, but her statements to that effect were laughed at. Failing to get directly what she wanted, she determined to try another course, for her little heart was set on making a name for herself in the city. One morning, when her father was not looking, Baby hid away in the tonneau of his car. Father drove the auto himself and did not notice the precious freight he carried. They arrived in the city all right, but before Baby could prepare to embark upon a business career her father hurried out, jumped into the car, and started off again. The reason her father did not remain in the city that day was that his wife had telephoned him that their darling child had been kidnapped - probably by some gypsies who had been in the camp near the baby's summer home, and father drove his auto at frightful speed. He arrived at his residence in time to take command of the village constables and lead them to attack upon the gypsy camp. He went afoot so that he could more easily confer with his associates. They found the gypsy camp, but the gypsies had gone. It did not take long to track them down, however, but no trace of a missing child was found, and finally the hunt was given up in despair. Then father and mother returned to their home and found their darling sound asleep in their own little bed. Mother said: 'Angels brought her back,' and father, thinking of John Hay's poem, partly agreed."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, November 15, 1913:

"The heartless way that children have of going on adventures, and frightening their elders almost to death, is very realistically - and very charmingly - shown, in Mr. Lonergan's novel playlet, Baby's Joy Ride. Every morning Baby Dorothy has seen her father hurry out to the big car and ride away to the mysterious 'city.' One morning she runs down the steps, holding out both arms, crying, 'Take me to business, too!' Father and mother only laugh - they can't see how much in earnest she is - and there is a sensitive spot in the child's heart all day - until, in a delightful walk with mother that afternoon, and a visit to a gypsy camp, her disappointment is, for the time, forgotten. But next morning, it all comes back - when she wakes and hears the limousine whirring so invitingly. She slips out of bed, and runs down to the sidewalk, in her little bathrobe. Father and mother are nowhere in sight. She climbs into the car, and snuggles down under the blanket in the tonneau. A moment later, father jumps into the driver's seat - and they are off. When father reaches the office he finds a telephone message from his distracted wife - the gypsies have stolen little Dorothy! Back they fly - the wicked stowaway still undiscovered. Baby gets about all the joy riding she wants - and is glad to slip out of the machine and back to the nursery, while father and mother are summoning the police. Nor do father and mother ever learn the whole story - for 'babies don't tell all they know' - says Mr. Lonergan."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, November 23, 1913:

"A real glimpse of a child's nature is given in this clever little story. The tendency which they have of going off on little adventures without any realization of the fright they are giving their parents is shown in a way that is most true to life. The Thanhouser Kidlet is the chief actor. Harry Benham, Lila Chester and Carey Hastings complete the cast. Baby Dorothy sees her father go to his office in a motor car every morning, and one day asks to go too. She is much hurt when her request is greeted with laughter. The next morning she wakes to hear the machine throbbing outside. She put on her little bathrobe, and running out conceals herself under a blanket in the tonneau. After her father leaves, her mother misses her and telephones to the office that the gypsies in the nearby camp must have stolen her. Back races father in the machine with the runaway undiscovered. While her parents are summoning the police she slips out, and gets back to the nursery. Her bewildered father and mother never learn the whole story."

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