Volume II: Filmography

THE SCIENTIST'S DOLL

March 1, 1914 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (1,010 feet)

Character: Comedy

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Mignon Anderson (May, a stenographer, in love with Jack; "the scientist's doll" come to life), Riley Chamberlin (Gray, a miser who is also a scientist), Harry Benham (Jack, the miser's manly young nephew)

Notes: 1. Thanhouser advertised this film as a comedy, but The Moving Picture World designated it a drama in schedules published during the release period. 2. The title appeared as A Scientist's Doll in Reel Life, February 28, 1914.

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, February 28, 1914:

"The Scientist's Doll features Mignon Anderson as the doll - and a little doll she is, in the opinion of countless admirers! Imagine Harry Benham as a devil! Well, he's one for a while in this comedy, which Riley Chamberlin helps put in the hit column."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 28, 1914:

"When Jack's mother died she left him in care of his uncle, a miserly scientist. The old man hid the fact that his nephew was entitled to a sum of money from him and discouraged his attentions to May, a pretty stenographer, with whom he was in love. Meanwhile the scientist worked on a mechanical doll which he had fully clothed and hoped to bring to such a state of perfection that it would talk, move and eat. The nephew and his sweetheart were invited to attend a masquerade. Jack costumed himself as Mephistopheles, but May made the woman's usual plaint that she had 'nothing to wear.' Jack suggested that she put on the mechanical doll's clothing. Jack dressed, as the devil, and May, bearing a striking likeness to the doll, were about to leave the scientist's laboratory when the old man himself entered. Nearsightedly approaching May he tried to get the young woman to obey his commands, believing her to be the mechanical doll. When he was about to give up the attempt Jack, as Mephistopheles, suddenly leaped before his uncle and told him that he, the devil, would command the doll to walk and make the old man famous. Frightened by the appearance of the Evil One, the old man tremblingly confessed that he had robbed his nephew and agreed in writing to make restitution. With the money thus obtained, Jack and his sweetheart were soon afterward married."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 7, 1914:

"Many spectators will count this picture just foolishness - it is childish. Its very improbability is the one thing that makes it interesting. As light entertainment it should make a fair offering."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 18, 1914:

"Founded on a pleasantly fanciful idea, this comedy, slight though it is, may be expected to entertain. In viewing it one should put reason gently but firmly aside and not bother to think that such things don't happen. An aged 'scientist' has a pretty stenographer and a presentable nephew; also he has the strange notion that he can give life to a wax figure. How the pretty stenographer changes places with the doll and frightens the old man into giving the nephew a comfortable fortune which is due him, goes to make up the story. Acting and direction are all that the subject requires."

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