Volume II: Filmography

AN ORPHAN'S ROMANCE

a.k.a. THE ORPHAN'S ROMANCE

December 23, 1913 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels (2,024 feet)

Character: Drama

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Maude Fealy (Mary, the orphan), Sidney Bracy (Tom Sinks, her stepfather), Carey L. Hastings (Anne, her society aunt), Harry Benham (Jack Van Horn, a young millionaire), May Dunne (matron at the hospital), Mrs. Gerald Badgley (nurse), Morgan Jones (footman), Ethyle Cooke (maid)

Note: This was described in some notices as Maude Fealy's first single-reel film; earlier she had been in multiple-reel releases. However, although some trade listings described it as a single-reel film, it is believed it was a two-reel release.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, December 27, 1913:

"When the girl's mother died she believed that her last friend had gone, for the stepfather, who was under obligations to care for her, was a cruel countryman, who treated her like a slave. Then hope came in the shape of a letter from her aunt, a wealthy society woman, who lived just outside of New York. She offered to care for the orphan, and the girl gladly left her country life behind her. In her new environment she attracted the attention of a young millionaire, who fell deeply in love with her. It happened that the girl's cousin loved the same man and was wild with rage at being cut out. The millionaire was called away to Europe by business, and after his departure the orphan was convinced by her aunt and cousin that the millionaire and the cousin were engaged. Not suspecting that she had been tricked, she secretly left her relatives and secured a position in a New York City hospital, intending to become a trained nurse. When the young man returned from abroad he was unable to find any trace of the girl, but contrary to what the other woman had hoped, his love did not turn to the cousin. Instead he devoted all of his time to the apparently vain object of finding the girl he loved. While crossing a New York City street one day, the young man was knocked down and seriously injured by an automobile. He was taken to the nearest hospital, and as it happened, this was the institution where the orphan was a nurse, and at the time the young man was brought there the orphan was in charge of the accident ward to which he was assigned. The orphan recognized the millionaire and sent for her cousin, believing she was entitled to nurse and care for him. The cousin was not entirely bad, and shocked and saddened by the accident, she freely confessed her fault, cleared away the misunderstanding that had existed and made the orphan's romance have a happier ending after all."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, December 20, 1913:

"After her mother's death, Mary was left without a friend in the world - for her stepfather was a cruel old farmer who made a slave of her. Then, a letter came from her aunt in Montclair, inviting Mary to make her home with them. At first Mary was radiantly happy in the new life - and not the least of her joy was due to the attentions of Jack van Horn, a young millionaire, who fell head over heels in love with her. But Cousin Winifred loved Van Horn herself - and when he was called to Europe by business, she and her mother succeeded in making Mary believe that Jack and her cousin were engaged. Mary - no longer able to endure her aunt's house - went to a New York hospital and became a trained nurse. On the young man's return - instead of turning to the cousin for consolation - he devoted himself to searching for the girl he loved. At last an automobile accident brought him to the hospital, where Mary was assigned to nurse him. She sent for her cousin, believing it was she whose rightful place was with the injured man - but Winifred confessed it - and the orphan's romance ended happily."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, December 28, 1913:

"Maude Fealy and Harry Benham play the roles of the lovers in this rather interesting story. The settings are well handled and the acting is effective. Mary is an orphan who is abused by her stepfather. She is asked to live with a wealthy aunt and there falls in love with a young millionaire, who is equally in love with her. He goes to Europe on a business trip and while he is gone her cousin makes Mary believe that she is engaged to the absent youth. Mary leaves and becomes a nurse in New York. When Jack comes home he is much grieved and spends his time trying to locate Mary. He is slightly hurt in a motor accident one day and is fortunately taken to the hospital where Mary is acting as a nurse. Thus all comes out as it should."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, January 3, 1914:

"A two-reel offering, featuring Maude Fealy as an orphan girl, who is taken into the home of an aunt. The transition from the streets to high society was very abruptly shown and lacked conviction. The later scenes, in which the girl wins the love of her cousin's friend, were much stronger. Harry Benham appears as the man. The story has certain elements of interest and proves quite entertaining."

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