Volume II: Filmography

THE HEART OF A CHILD

March 18, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Cast: Marie Eline, Leland Benham, Lila Chester (the mother)

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, March 22, 1913:

He is eight years old and had been a cripple from birth. His mother, a wealthy widow, loved him fondly, and he had all the comforts and luxuries that money could buy. He was an affectionate little fellow, grateful for all the kindness that was bestowed upon him, but deep down in his heart he feared that he was an encumbrance. No one ever knew how he felt, but he brooded constantly in his childish way. One day while out motoring with his mother the auto stopped, and they both noticed a tiny youngster who ran rapidly by them. Mother and son exchanged laughing comments and then the woman said: 'I wish my little boy could run like that,' and sighed. Any grown person would have understood what she meant, but to the heart of the child, her words conveyed a cruel meaning. He was convinced that she would gladly be rid of him for an active healthy youngster, one who would cause her no heartaches or annoyance. The mother stopped to attend a reception, sending her son home alone in the machine. On his way he again saw the boy who had aroused his mother's admiration and yielding to hasty impulse, halted the car and induced the boy to go home with him. The other chap was a little bit of a fellow, and gleefully consented to change his station in life, when he understood that toys and candy would have an active part in it. The crippled boy brought the other child to his home, installing him in his nursery, leaving a note for his mother, explaining that he did what he did to make her happy. It was a pathetic little note, and it was not surprising that the mother wept bitterly when she read it.

When the youngster left his home he had some big idea of supporting himself. He found, however, that it was an unfriendly world, and he was not fit to cope with it. Finally all his illusions shattered, and he was ingloriously brought home to be fondly embraced by his mother, who asked him reproachfully, 'Did you think, dear, that anyone could take your place?' He was convinced now that no one can. As for the other little boy, he had a 'bully afternoon,' and returned to his tenement home, the proud owner of more toys than he ever dreamed existed on this earth.

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 23, 1913:

Pathos of the true sort furnishes the keynote of this play's success. It is the pathos of a child who is crippled and who feels the difference between himself and other children, the pathos of his own misfortune which can never be altered. He is the son of rich parents and has everything which the world can give him, except his entire health. One day while he is riding with his mother he is deeply hurt because she admires the little boy running beside the roadway and the little lame boy feels that he is not desired and that his mother would prefer the other boy to him. And so when he is driven home after leaving his mother at the home of a friend, he has the auto stop and takes the little chap in and brings him to his home where he gives him his toys and playthings. He writes a letter to his mother explaining his act and then sets forth to make his own way in the world. Of course it does not last, this world-way making. The little fellow is brought home to his joyful mother and the other urchin is sent to his own home with toys and goodies galore. The Thanhouser Kid plays the part of the little child of misfortune, doing his [sic] usual fine work.

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