Author Archive: Retro

Philip Hubbard, Margaret McWade, Claire Windsor

As described in a film magazine,at the girls school gymnasium in the small town of Oakdale everyone is happily discussing the upcoming ball with the exception of Bertha (Kessler), who is left to herself by the other girls because her father is in an insane asylum and she is poor and plain. At the ball, the belle is Hallie (Windsor), who is sought by all the young men while Bertha looks on, a lonely wall flower. Brothers and automobile mechanics Frank (Glendon) and Arthur (Hackathorne) are both in love with Hallie, and at Frank’s request Arthur asks Bertha to dance. Her gratitude causes her to fall in love with him, and a series of events finally lead to her end her life by drowning. In the meantime Frank and Hallie are married and, owing to the success of an invention of his, living comfortable and happy lives. Several children come and the home is apparently [...]

Animated industrial short

Far from the maddened throngs of the city, far from the teeming, seething city streets, in a little fishing town, lives Tess and her half-witted brother, Sam. By clam digging they earn a simple living, but life is sweet in spite of its simplicity. Right near their hut lived a young fisherman, handsome, brave, and bold, who sympathized with the girl because she had to support her semi-demented brother, who took an interest in her, a friendly interest, and no more. But the maid, in the manner of woman misconstrues his attitude and takes his friendly interest and concern for the divine spark. So she learns to love him as a woman can only love once in her life, and he is ignorant of the romantic relations she has assumed this simple friendship to be. Often human hearts suffer, and this time the warm, young heart of Tess is to feel the pang and anguish [...]

Animated industrial short

Mabel is engaged to Harry, the boss’s son. The boss has an eye for Mabel too, in this gender-bending comedy of errors and mistaken identities.

Arthur Vaughn, a rising young artist, steps into a cobbler’s shop to “save his sole,” and sees there a girl, the daughter of the cobbler. The cobbler is an habitual drunkard, and the artist tells the girl to leave the squalor of her surroundings and offers her work in his studio. The girl accepts. One day, the artist paints her as she stands, in her rags. It is pronounced a master work. Another day the girl dons the satins and silks of the models, and bids him paint her in those raiments. His trained eye notes the distinct contrast, and he paints her in fine feathers. The portraits, with their contrast and realism, are masterpieces, and quickly establish the artist’s reputation. At an exhibition of the Art League it attracts the attention of the President, who becomes curious to know the model. He meets her, and exhorts her to leave the life she is leading. [...]

Bad influences drag a young urbanite into a life of crime.