Volume II: Filmography

A POOR RELATION

January 3, 1913 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Cast: Florence LaBadie (leading woman), Jean Darnell (the widow), James Cruze (leading man)

Location: Some scenes were photographed at the New York Zoological Gardens (Bronx Zoo).

Notes: 1. Designated as Just a Poor Relative in some notices. 2. This film is not related to the well-known stage play of the same name.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, December 28, 1912:

When the young widow's period of official mourning was over, she immediately began to take renewed interest in society. Her husband had left her plenty of money. So she carefully looked over friends to see which she would permit to lead her to the altar, and her choice fell upon a popular physician. To be one of his patients was almost to have social standing, so the widow found that her health was in a most deplorable state, and visited the doctor's reception parlor almost daily. He told her there was nothing the matter with her, but she insisted. The doctor was a guest at a dinner party given by the young widow one night, and there he met a girl to whom he was at once attracted. She was a timid, shabby little creature, a poor relation of the widow. The widow had a little girl, of whom she was gushingly fond in public, and more or less mean to in private.

The child had been banished to bed while the dinner party was on, and finding a box of matches, proceeded to amuse herself with them. A few moments later, her dress aflame, she rushed into the reception room where the ladies were congregated. All of them shrank from her in alarm, except the poor relation, who pluckily grabbed her, and saved the child's life at the risk of her own. The men were still in the dining room, chatting over their cigars, when they ran into the other room there was no need of their assistance. The doctor, however, saw the picture, the mother shrinking back in terror, while the poor relation was beating out the flames that enveloped the other woman's child. The physician found that the screaming little girl was only slightly injured. As he completed his examination he turned from the child to the 'poor relation' who had not uttered a cry. His practiced eyes noted how white she had turned, and he jumped forward just in time to catch her in his arms, as she toppled over in a faint. Guided by one of the servants he carried her to her room, and noted with surprise and indignation how shabbily she was housed in the home of wealth. There acquaintance soon ripened into love, and in a very short time the doctor announced to the widow that he and her plucky relation were to be married.

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, January 5, 1913:

She was all that the title of the play named her - a poor relation. But under almost shabby clothes there beat a heart of pure gold. Such might be the way certain authors would describe her. She was the relation of a rich widow who had set her cap for a distinguished physician. But the physician was not attracted by the society woman, but one time when he met the poor little relation his heart went out to her. At a dinner party the little girl of the widow, being sent to bed, came near being burned to death when she played with matches in her room. As she ran screaming into the drawing room the poor relation beat out the flames. The doctor saw her act as he rushed with the other men guests from an adjoining room. Appreciating the heroism of the poor relation his heart went out some more, and thus they later became engaged, and thus the romance was completed.

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, January 11, 1913:

Florence LaBadie and James Cruze play leading roles in this drama. Domestic scenes of interest are shown, interspersed with glimpses of the Bronx Zoo. This story shows how the young doctor's regard was won by the abused poor relation, in spite of the fact that the young widow was setting her cap for him. The injury of the child by fire was well handled, but the denouement of the picture was not quite strong enough.

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, January 1, 1913: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

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