Volume II: Filmography

IN PERIL'S PATH

August 14, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (998 feet)

Character: Drama

Cast: Carey L. Hastings (Postmistress Jones), Leland Benham (Leland Jones), Madeline and Marion Fairbanks, Justus D. Barnes

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, August 15, 1914:

"Mrs. Jones has been postmistress of Rosedale ever since her husband's death. Everybody seems to be satisfied except Jim Hankins, the local political leader, who tries to convince the villagers that a man should have the position, and that no one is better fitted to be postmaster than himself. A close election proves Hankins' opportunity, and it is voted that he shall succeed the widow.

"Mrs. Jones is inconsolable, for she has three children dependent upon her. One night Hankins is returning home from a spree, when he falls upon the railroad track. Only the quick wit of Leland Jones, the ten-year-old son of the ex-postmistress, saves him from being run over. And it transpires that even an unscrupulous politician may have a conscience."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, November 26, 1914:

"A very pretty and human little story, dealing with the effect of American political chicanery upon a poor woman's honest means of livelihood. In general character the film reminds one the Thanhouser Company's recent film, McCarn Plays Fate, though the present picture contains rather more human interest. British audiences may find it rather hard to understand the scandalous conditions prevailing in American public affairs, which make such stories as these perfectly true to life. The interest of plays based upon these circumstances, however, should certainly not be diminished on that account. For the rest, it may be said that In Peril's Path is a very pretty little story, which might have been mawkish but is not, because it is so beautifully acted. Mr. [sic] C.L. Hastings, Mr. Arthur Bauer, Mr. Justus Barnes, and some of those inimitable Thanhouser children appear in the film, which is also notable for some striking minor character studies."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, August 9, 1914:

"The political leader, who has just had himself named postmaster to succeed Mrs. Jones, who has held the position for years and who has several small children dependent upon her, falls on the railroad track when returning from a spree and is saved by Mrs. Jones' son. It is proved that even a politician may know what gratitude is."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, August 15, 1914:

"This is an enjoyable small-town story. The country politician succeeds in becoming appointed postmaster in place of the widow who had succeeded her husband in that office. But the widow's small boy saves him as he lies intoxicated before an approaching train, so he refuses to take the post-office. A simple, appealing plot, well photographed and nicely presented throughout."

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