Volume II: Filmography

THE WIDOW'S MITE

Production still with Mayre Hall as the school teacher. The Fairbanks twins appear to the left in identical dresses. Courtesy of Ruth Martin Cameron (M-26)

June 28, 1914 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (988 feet)

Character: Comedy

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Helen Badgley ("the widow's mite"), Mayre Hall (Miss Bird, the pretty teacher), Madeline and Marion Fairbanks (Madeline and Marion Houston), Mrs. Fairbanks (Mrs. Houston, their mother), Carey L. Hastings, Nolan Gane (Uncle Henry), various schoolchildren

Note: Some accounts list this as a two-reel film. In Great Britain it was released in one reel totaling 988 feet. It seems reasonable that it was actually released as a one-reeler.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, June 27, 1914:

"Little Polly's heart was broken because she could not give 'teacher' any birthday present. Marion and Madeline, the rich little twins, for whom her mother washed every week, had brought Miss Bird a box of candy and a beautiful book. Polly loved her just as much as they did - but 'teacher' wouldn't believe that now. She thrust out her fat arms on her desk, and burying her face, burst into tears. Miss Bird was so touched when her youngest pupil sobbed out the cause of her misery, that that very afternoon she went to Mrs. Blackington's cottage. Polly's mother was sorting over a bag of clothes from the twins' mother. 'Well now!' she exclaimed. 'Folks as has money do be careless! Look what I've found on Mrs. Houston's waist.'

"'What an exquisite pin!' Her visitor bent over the pearl crescent, carelessly forgotten in the lace. 'I wish someone would give me one just like it.' Polly heard. When no one was looking she took the pin from the cushion where her mother had placed it, and slipped it into Miss Bird's handbag. That evening the pretty teacher went to a dance with the twins' Uncle Harry. A mysterious something recently had been hovering between them. That night, when he had seen her home, she felt that he had all but spoken. Full of shy dreams of happiness soon to be hers, she was little prepared next day for the unspeakable thing which happened.

"When, at the command of witnesses, she opened her bag, disclosing the pearl crescent, she was too bewildered at first even to profess her innocence. She took the pin back to Mrs. Houston herself. But the incident was confused with thoughts of Harry, and in making her simple vindication, she stammered and blushed like one guilty. In the hall, going out, she met him, and crimsoned deeply, dropping her eyes without speaking. Then rushing home to her room, she flung herself on the bed and cried her heart out. Polly heard her elders talking about it in subdued tones. Someone was saying that 'teacher' had stolen Mrs. Houston's pin. But hadn't Polly given the pin to Miss Bird for a birthday present? She ran as fast as she could to the twins' house. The youngest pupil scarcely finished her odd little story, when she found herself on Uncle Harry's shoulder, riding off down the street at a pace which took her breath away. Five minutes later she was in Miss Bird's room. When Polly had explained everything, and 'teacher' had laughed and cried and bathed her eyes many times, they went downstairs together. Uncle Harry put his arms around 'teacher,' and then he said, 'You poor little girl!' And that was a queer thing, Polly thought, for a man to say to a grown-up lady!"

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 11, 1914:

"It will make an excellent offering that will be liked by nearly every spectator. This is not so much on account of the story, which is not new and only fair, but because of the 'mite' as played by the Kidlet in her most charming way. The Thanhouser Twins also appear. The heroine of the romantic love story is a schoolteacher, and most of the scenes are in the schoolroom filled with the youngsters, but the best part of it is the smiles and winsomeness of the Kidlet. A cute and delightful offering, very well photographed."

# # #