Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
a.k.a. THE ROMANCE OF A GARDENER
October 25, 1912 (Friday)
Length: 1 reel
Character: Drama
Cast: Riley Chamberlin (gardener and narrator), Marie Eline (Miss May [Marie in film subtitle], as a child), Leland Benham (Jack, her childhood sweetheart), Marguerite Snow (May grown up), James Cruze (Jack grown up), Harry Benham (who precipitates a quarrel between May and Jack)
Note: James Cruze stated that it was during the filming of this picture that he proposed to Marguerite Snow, who became his wife in early 1913, after the couple went with other Thanhouser players to California.
SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, October 19, 1912:
"This is the story of a gardener whose whole lifetime had been spent in the one place. He loved the flowers, petted them, and gave them the details of the only romance he had ever witnessed. 'You see, little pansy,' he said, 'when I came here, many years ago, Miss May was a little girl. There was a nice little boy who lived right over there, and they were great chums. They played together, day after day, and were childhood sweethearts. Well, they grew up, and one afternoon I saw them talking earnestly on that old bench there. She nodded her head when he kissed her, and, taking a ring, put it on her finger. For a time they were happy, then they quarreled. It was a silly dispute, and in my opinion both were to blame. I hoped they would make up but they didn't. He went to the city, she remained here. Other suitors came, but she would not have them. Her heart was with the man she had loved when they were children. You know, little pansy, how Miss May has thrown her garden open to the poor children. Well, today I was standing out under the big sign that says all children are welcome, when an auto came up. I looked at the man in it, and recognized the chap Miss May loved. I called a greeting to him, he stopped and we shook hands.
"'It had been many years since the boy had played about here, and I had to be careful. If he had known Miss May was here, I doubt if he would have come in. So I talked about the children, and he stopped in to see them. Then, before he realized it, I had led him to the old bench. It must have called back recollections, for it was there as a boy he had wooed his tiny sweetheart; it was there that as a man he had won her promise to be his bride. Better than all, she was sitting there now, all alone and forlorn. I just led him up to the bench, and left him. I knew that my work was successful when I saw the glad light in their eyes. It was only stubbornness that had kept them apart all these years. The job was to bring them together, and I did it.'"
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 27, 1912:
"Riley Chamberlin does a bit of character work in this remarkably fine photodrama that is noteworthy. As an old gardener he tells his flowers of the romance of the garden which occurred years before, and as he finishes his tale the former lover returns and meets his former sweetheart, both now matured, and again their romance commences where it left off, when they quarreled through foolish jealousy on the part of the girl. It is wholly delightful, is acted splendidly, is directed as few photoplays are, and is so simple, clean and full of sympathy that it remains in memory long after its viewing. Truly, this is a production its makers may feel proud of and one which upholds Thanhouser excellence."
REVIEW, The Moving Picture News, October 19, 1912:
"One of the sweetest, most delicately beautiful productions that has appeared in films, and is splendidly adapted for child audiences as well as for theatres."
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, November 2, 1912:
"A simple story, but a charming story. It again demonstrates how effective may be the slightest of themes if effectively - 'brainily' handled. Riley Chamberlin as the gardener tells the story he has seen unfolded within the precincts of a beautiful spot - the beginning of affection between two, the quarrel, and the reconciliation years afterward."
REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, October 23, 1912:
"Just as it happened, without frills or trimmings, a simple story told in a simple, direct manner. The old gardener whispered to flowers, the flowers he had watched and nursed for many years, but the flowers knew. When the gardener came to the flowers many years ago Miss May was a little girl. There was a little boy who lived right near, and they were great chums, playing together day after day. They grew up, continued the gardener, and became sweethearts. All was happiness until they quarreled. It was a silly dispute, but they did not make up. The boy went away to the city and Miss May lived on with a sad heart, refusing all suitors. Years passed, and Miss May had thrown the garden open to the poor children of the village. One day an auto drove up in front of the place, and the boy, now grown gray, alighted. He never expected to find the playmate of his childhood there, but had returned for a visit to see the flowers. Of course, they came together, and they were both glad. It was only stubbornness that had kept them from each other; stubbornness that makes for tragedy in many lives."
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.