Volume II: Filmography

HELEN'S BABIES

Advertisement from The Moving Picture World, September 18, 1915. (F-868)

September 14, 1915 (Tuesday)

Length: 2 reels

Character: Drama

Scenario: From a story by John Habberton

Cast: Helen Badgley (Budge), Harry Benham (Harry Burton, the uncle), Lorraine Huling (Alice Mayton), Loel and Eldean Steuart

BACKGROUND OF THE SCENARIO: Helen's Babies, published in 1876, is the best known work of John Habberton (1842-1921). The tale tells of a bachelor uncle who takes care of two mischievous boys while their parents are vacationing, during which the boys chaperone their uncle through a love affair. Born in Brooklyn, Habberton found early work as a telegraph operator, later serving in the Union Army from 1862 through 1865. After the conflict ended, he embarked on a literary career, and served as an editor for such varied publications as The Christian Union, Godey's Lady's Book, the New York Herald, and Collier's. At the same time he was a prolific writer of biographies, novels, children's stories, and other works. Helen's Babies, written for children, was rejected by several publishers, and finally was published anonymously, after which the authorship was discovered. It became the only Habberton work to achieve a lasting vogue.

ARTICLE, Reel Life, September 18, 1915:

"Helen Badgley, famous the world over as the Thanhouser Kidlet, and Baby Stewart [sic; Steuart was intended], another talented juvenile, together with Lorraine Huling and Harry Benham, are the featured players in 'Helen's Babies,' a two-reel Banner Feature produced by Thanhouser, released in the regular Mutual Program, September 14. 'Helen's Babies,' is crowded with numerous sympathetic and humorous situations, culminating in one of the prettiest romances ever screened. These two sterling juvenile players carry exceptionally heavy parts on their wee shoulders, but do so in such a delightfully charming manner as to win the heart of even the most confirmed bachelor."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, September 18, 1915:

"Harry Burton is Helen's only brother. He is a steady-going young man and as fond of children as a bachelor uncle can be. Still he does not yearn for exclusive control of his two nephews, Budge and Toddie, aged respectively five and three, so when a letter comes from Helen asking him to take charge of her house, and incidentally of her babies, for two weeks, while she and her husband go on a vacation, he is not overjoyed. Only one seemingly very unimportant item, which Helen has carelessly added in a postscript, makes the situation bearable. 'Alice Mayton, whom you will remember, with her mother, is at the summer hotel near here,' is the information. Harry has a very decided, though carefully concealed, affection for Alice Mayton, so he accepts Helen's invitation. Budge and Toddie meet their uncle down the road. In the morning, Helen's babies awaken their uncle at five o'clock so that he may have a long day to enjoy their company. When he leaves his room they thoughtfully unpack his trunk for him, and all through the day lead him from one very unbecoming adventure to another.

"The babies play one prank after another on their poor, helpless uncle. The climax comes when the young man tries to send to Miss Mayton a box of flowers. He carefully packs the roses in a cardboard box, and writes on a bit of card, 'Please accept these as a token of my esteem. They always remind me of you with all your grace and beauty.' Miss Mayton opens the box and finds two very dirty and very disreputable rag dolls. The little prank of Budge and Toddie almost costs their uncle the friendship of the girl, but when she finally learns that the children had thrown the roses out of the box, after Harry had ordered the man to take them to her, and had placed their doll babies in the box as a cradle, she forgave them all. After the return of Helen and her husband, Harry determines to make known to the beautiful charmer the true state of his affection for her. He goes to call on her, but as he sits beside her his courage fails him. Suddenly Helen's angel babies appear and eye the two gravely. 'When I love anybody, I kiss 'em,' said wise little Budge. Harry looked at Alice, who laughed and said archly, 'I think that's a good idea.' and the bashful uncle folded her in his arms."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, September 25, 1915:

"A very pleasing two-reel screen adaptation of John Habberton's famous novel of the uncle who agreed to take care of his sister's small boys. Harry Benham, Lorraine Huling, the Kidlet and another little fellow appear. The children's mischievous antics keep the uncle in hot water all the time and interfere seriously with his love affair. This should prove an appealing comedy number, particularly to the older generation, who will no doubt be glad to see in moving pictures the two kids who 'want to see the wheels go round.'"

# # #