Volume II: Filmography

THE GIRL ACROSS THE HALL

June 14, 1914 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (1,012 feet)

Character: "A stirring romance"

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Harry Benham (Jim Kelly, a machinist), Marion (or Madeline; see note) Fairbanks (Eileen, his sister), Lila Hayward Chester (Alice Donovan), Harry Marks (Mike, a loafer), John Lehnberg (Spike, Mike's pal), Dave Keleher (policeman)

Note: Apparently, just one of The Fairbanks twins appeared in the film. Reel Life names her as Marion, while a Thanhouser advertisement in The Moving Picture World, June 13, 1914, identifies her as Madeline!

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, June 13, 1914:

"When 'the girl across the hall' stood between him, in one of his tipsy rages, and Eileen, Jim Kelly was torn between dislike and admiration for his little sister's protector. His feelings toward Alice Donovan became clearer to himself, however, after the brawl in the saloon. He was badly beaten up, and Alice bathed and dressed his bleeding arm. After that the world seemed different to Kelly. As soon as he was over the wound he got a new position, left his old pals, and started in to make good. One evening Kelly heard a woman's frantic screams for help. He burst into Alice's flat. The two men in the room recognized 'Kelly, the fighter,' of old days, and the next instant they were laid sprawling on the floor. The timely entrances of two policemen finished the job. Eileen was sobbing hysterically in Alice's arms. With her cheek resting on the child's tumbled hair, the girl looked up at Kelly. The look he bent on her set her own gaze fluttering. But her eyes came back to his. And he knew he had made good."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, September 17, 1914:

"Here is another of those perfect little stories of human nature under humble circumstances, for which the Thanhouser Company are rapidly becoming famous. It is neither elaborate nor novel in conception, but relies for success solely upon a direct appeal to the ordinary sympathies of the ordinary audience. How swiftly and surely it will win these sympathies will at once be appreciated by everyone who sees the most admirable acting of Miss Lila Chester as a poor little New York seamstress, who by her sweetness and gentle courage redeems a young working man from dissipated ways and transforms him into an honest manly citizen. Needless to say the success of the redemption process is assisted by a love interest on both sides, whilst there is also a dear little younger sister to help things tactfully towards a happy conclusion. As will be seen, it is quite slight in theme, but it is wholly delightful and is perfectly certain to prove enormously popular."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, June 14, 1914: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, June 20, 1914:

"The girl is a seamstress, and the man across the hall is a ne'er-do-well who is getting bitter. He is a widower with a little daughter, and he has made friends with the seamstress. The ending is a matter of course. It is a commercial offering, the kind for which most people are quite willing to pay the admission price. Prettily staged, it will be counted as fair, but will not excite enthusiasm."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, July 22, 1914:

"These one-reel offerings usually bring forth a simple plot well illustrated as in the case here. The man is a worthless, shiftless widower, who beats his child. The hardworking seamstress across the hall pities and pets the child. The man meets her and quails before her glances of scorn. She bandages his stabbed arm, and he cherishes the bandages. Then, when he saves her from the attacks of two crooks, she is willing to lay her head on his shoulder. It is meant for a heart interest story, and sets forth its meaning most clearly. The photography and acting are commendable."

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