Volume II: Filmography

THE LADDER OF LIFE

November 5, 1912 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Cast: Harry Benham (the poor fellow as an adult), Leland Benham, James Cruze

ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, November 16, 1912:

"Two young men start out on their business careers at the same age, but one begins at the top of the ladder, since he is a scion of wealth, and the other begins at the bottom. The latter has naught to recommend him but his ability. Ability, however, wins out. Dissipation loses the man at the top his high place and he slowly but surely tumbles down the ladder. The poor but able 'bottom man' goes up the ladder rung by rung, until at the top he meets and wins the girl."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, November 10, 1912:

"This photo-play reminds one of a Sunday school story book of days gone by, in which a rich young man is the horrible example and the poor and industrious young man the shining light. This commences with the babyhood of each, takes a jump of eight years, and again contrasts their lives, and another jump until they are young men. Then the rich man loses his all and is forced to accept employment in the same shop where the other works. The former youth of plenty steadily goes down the ladder of life while the other climbs, and it all ends by the poor chap becoming rich and marrying his employer's stenographer and the other falling to the level of trampdom."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, November 16, 1912:

"A story pointing out that the reward of industry is success to a poor boy, of dissipation is disaster in a rich boy - that is the way it worked in this instance. The picture is well worthwhile, however. It will encourage many a boy and man, too, trying to win out against entrenched 'pull' and mediocrity."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, November 6, 1912:

"The idea in this picture, if not particularly novel, is at least well handled. It is a series of contrasts, intended no doubt to point a moral lesson, and there is no pretense of a connected story. Two boys are born on the same day, one into a rich and the other into a poor family. Eight years later the poor boy is selling papers, while the rich man's son is the pampered pet of the family. Then both become orphans. As young men the wealthy youth squanders his fortune on high living, whereas the other works hard and wins steady advancement in business. Finally they are both employed at the same office, but the child of fortune is discharged for forcing his unwelcome attentions on the stenographer. In the end he is a common tramp, begging for a crust of bread, while the poor boy has become a prosperous businessman and has taken the pretty stenographer for his bride. It is a suggestive, well arranged film."

# # #