Volume II: Filmography

IN BLOSSOM TIME

Advertisement from The Moving Picture World, June 22, 1912. (F-470)

June 25, 1912 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama; "A picturesque love story"

Cast: Florence LaBadie (the girl), Harry Benham (the country sweetheart)

Note: The title was given erroneously as Blossom Time in The Motion Picture Story Magazine, December 1912.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, June 22, 1912:

"It was blossom time in the country, and the girl was happy in her simple rural life, and in the love of her rustic suitor. Just then word came that her wealthy aunt desired to give her a home in the city, and the young woman jumped at the chance. She was able to see the beauties of the metropolis of which she had often dreamed. So she went away, waving a careless farewell to the man she left behind her. A year passed on, and again it was blossom time in the country; but the girl was in the city and had forgotten much of her former life. To her surprise, however, she was not happy in her new environments. A titled suitor had entered her life, and for a time she thought she would marry him. Then one day she received from him a regular 'city box of flowers,' and at the same time her country sweetheart set a fragrant branch with a simple message: 'It is blossom time in the country.' The girl realized that she was losing much in life that had been dear to her, and in return had not received anything that really counted. She was stricken with homesickness and hurried back to the country, where her grandfather, with whom she had lived, welcomed her gladly, but could not understand why she had returned, for he was a man who was slow to comprehend things. Later he saw them in the apple orchard and then he understood. 'I'm glad my little girl came back in time,' the grandfather said. 'I am glad that the blossoms were still in bloom, and that everything came out all right, but it was a mighty dangerous experiment, and we must never say a word about it.' The boy and the girl are happy, however, and always regard 'blossom time' as the loveliest, most important season of the year."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, June 30, 1912:

"It is almost possible to smell the fragrance of the apple blossoms in the little photoromance, and seldom does one have the opportunity of seeing such beautiful rural scenes as are here pictured. The story is the familiar one of a country girl and her farm-boy lover, the girl being taken to the city by a rich relation, who introduces her into society, where she soon becomes a popular idol among the men of her new set. She is wooed by a French nobleman, who is anxious to wed her, and on the morning when he calls for his final answer the girl receives from him a box of American Beauty roses, and from her country lover a simple box of apple blossoms. These bring back memories of the old days at home, and the longing is too strong to resist, and so she packs up and rushes home. She meets her old sweetheart, and the Frenchman is forgotten in her love for the one man of her life. The cuts - back to the farm scenes from the city scenes - are effectively made, none too frequently, but always at the proper moment, reflecting most creditably on the director. It is an exceptionally artistic offering from start to finish, and will score a hit wherever shown. One question, however: Why does the farm boy appear with a rake in apple blossom time?"

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, June 29, 1912:

"A pretty story of country orchards in bloom and of the city ballroom. Perhaps it is a rather quick transition to develop in one year a city belle from an untutored country girl, but that speed does not affect the interest of the play. The acting of the girl is good, vivacious, winning. The grandfather does not look like an actor, somehow; he seems to be exactly what his part calls for - a farmer - and those who know country life will thoroughly enjoy him."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, July 3, 1912:

"The title well describes the film, for it is apple blossom time at the farm, and the boy and girl, in the blossom time of their life, play at love among the blossoms and make delicate and pretty views of youth and blossoms for the spectator to look at. Then there comes a letter from the rich and lonely aunt in the city. She desires the girl to come and live with her and inherit her fortune. The girl goes and loses her sophistication. Next year, when blossom time comes around again, there is a titled gentleman in love with her. She receives a large bouquet of roses from him, with the suggestion that she become his wife. At the same time there comes a box of apple blossoms from the farmer boy. It reminds the girl of him and the blossoms on the farm. She obeys the call and goes back to the blossoms and the boy, who has loved her faithfully. It is played and created with much delicacy and creates an altogether delightful impression."

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