Volume II: Filmography

THEIR BEST FRIEND

February 27, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,012 feet)

Character: Drama

Scenario: C.E. and H.B. Maltby

Cast: Marguerite Snow (May [or Amy], an heiress), Morris Foster (Jack, a young broker in love with May), Joseph Sparks (Gray, May's guardian), Justus D. Barnes (Jack's father)

Notes: 1. This release marked the Thanhouser film debut of Morris Foster, with his name misspelled in Reel Life (February 21, 1914) as "Maurice." 2. In this film, scenario writers C.E. and H.B. Maltby used Lloyd F. Lonergan's favorite character names, Jack and May. 3. In the film the heiress' name is given as Amy (in a letter Jack writes to his sweetheart, from 223 Maple Street, Chicago; as seen in a print preserved by The National Film Archive, London).

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 21, 1914:

"Here is a pretty love story in which the machinations of an unfaithful guardian are undone through the unconscious aid given by a dog. Sparks, who upon the death of his brother had been appointed guardian of his niece, May, has dissipated her estate to such an extent that he fears an investigation of his accounts. His niece is engaged to Jack Carey, a young man of irreproachable character. Sparks pretends to encourage the match, although, at heart, he feels that upon his niece's marriage his duplicity will be discovered. Accordingly, the young man is given a glass of wine which, in a few minutes, causes him to exhibit all the symptoms of an intoxicated man. May enters the room at this juncture and discovers her sweetheart in what she terms a disgusting condition. The engagement is broken. It is only when she overhears a conversation between her uncle and his butler that May discovers the plot. May learns that Jack is in Chicago but is unable to find him until on a lucky day she sees Jack's dog trotting along toward home. May is finally led to Jack's home where a touching reconciliation follows."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 1, 1914:

"One could hardly expect to find a person whose residence was unknown, beyond the fact that he lived in Chicago, by strolling about the streets of that city. Such is the way in which a girl finds her lost fianceé in this film. Otherwise the story is plausible, and it is interesting throughout."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 7, 1914:

"A good picture. An unusual love story with a villainous uncle in the background - he has speculated with the fortune of his ward and fears exposure. He doesn't intend to let her marry and it is the real brass of this new kind of villainy that, in the excellent character drawing of this part, is a big interest in the offering. All the characters, but especially this uncle, are drawn with vigor and seem to us like real human beings full of interest. The picture ought to make a very good offering. It will be liked."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 18, 1914:

"The villain in this picture must be credited with considerable ingenuity in wrongdoing. He's misappropriated his ward's funds, and in consequence fears her marriage to a man who may discover the theft. When the suitor calls he greets him with a smile, and offers a glass of wine, wherein he has placed a sleeping powder. While the young man slumbers, the host musses him up, and makes it appear that he is disgracefully drunk. Everybody believes in appearances, and Jack is bundled off to Chicago. Finally the butler discloses the truth, the girl and Jack's father go to Chicago, and reach the wanderer's rooms by following the guidance of the young man's pet bulldog, which they encounter on the street. Hence the bulldog is their best friend. It is a moderately interesting production carefully handled, with Marguerite Snow to give attractiveness to the role of the girl."

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