Volume II: Filmography

A CREPE BONNET

July 13, 1913 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (1,000 feet)

Character: Comedy-drama

Cast: Marie Eline, Helen Badgley, Sidney Blair

Location: Some scenes were filmed at the May Day party for stage children, held in Central Park, New York City. (Also see A Girl of the Cabaret, August 8, 1913, which also utilized footage from this event.)

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, July 19, 1913:

"The children are in sorrow, for their pet doll is dead - broken, that is. They must have a funeral, even hang crepe on the door for her. But passing grown-ups know naught of the doll's 'death' and conclude there is a real one at the house with the hanging crepe."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, July 19, 1913:

"The young husband was a very 'tired business man,' but instead of hurrying to the gay lights of Broadway, he remained at home in bed and worried the life out of his patient wife. His little daughter was a very active youngster and the noise made by her, assisted by her little playmates, drove him almost frantic. Sympathetic friends called and gravely decided that he had only a short time to live. The children were cautioned to be very quiet, so as not to disturb the sick man, and they tried very hard to obey the command. A doll, belonging to one of the little girls, was broken, and the children decided to have a funeral. 'But where can we find the crepe?' a little girl exclaims in dismay. Willie Jones, who was present, looked mysterious and told them not to worry. He hurried off and soon reappeared with the bonnet of his mother, a widow. The crepe was removed from the bonnet, placed over the door bell, and the doll funeral wended its way from the house to a convenient backyard, where the doll was solemnly interred.

"The head of the family gradually felt better and began to take an interest in life. In the meantime his friends noticed the crepe on the door and sadly concluded that he must have passed away. Soon a solemn procession made its way to the house and asked to see the wife. The servant thought they were crazy, the wife was sure of it, and called her husband. The visitors cowered behind chairs when the husband appeared and disgustedly asked what was the matter. Then explanations ensued and the irate parents sallied forth, seized their offspring and visited summary punishment upon them."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 19, 1913:

"Rather grim humor to fill a house with mourners for a man who is really not dead, but this is brought about so naturally that it is very laughable. The children, pretending to bury a dead doll, tie crepe on the door. Naturally the friends suppose poor John has died, as he was sick, and crowd into the house. The picture winds up by the kids getting spanked. A funny situation in this."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, July 9, 1913:

"Children, having a doll funeral, borrow a crepe bonnet, tear the veil from it and hang that on the doorbell. It happens that a convalescent man is within. His friends immediately gather with condolences for his supposed widow. These are turned into laughter by the appearance of the 'corpse' in good spirits. The picture closes with a row of parents spanking (it is supposed) their own children. Trivial as the incident is, and as far as it is dragged out, it is yet mirth-provoking. The scenes of the children are somewhat restrained, due, it seems, to much repetition of business. Otherwise the acting of both juveniles and grown-ups is good."

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