Volume II: Filmography

PLEASE HELP THE PORE

September 29, 1912 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Riley Chamberlin (Henry Snaith, a wealthy banker), William Garwood (poor father), Mignon Anderson (poor mother), Marie Eline (daughter of the poor couple)

Location: Some scenes depict the May Day celebration in Central Park, New York City

Notes: 1. The unusual surname of Snaith is found in other Thanhouser films as well and must have been a favorite of the scenario writer. Refer to Miss Arabella Snaith (May 3, 1912) and Professor Snaith (Princess, June 26, 1914), among others. 2. The sign from which the movie title was derived read "PLESE HELP THE PORE," although the "PLESE" spelling was used in only a few title mentions; the preferred spelling was "PLEASE." In some notices the title appeared within quotation marks. In some notices "PORE" appeared as "POOR." 3. This subject was released in England as Please Help the Poor.

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, September 28, 1912:

"'Please Help The Pore' so read the placard on a toy hand-organ that a little girl played mournfully in the park. She wasn't poor at that, but she heard her father speak of the need of a sum of money and decided to raise it for him! Instead she 'raised' the miser who held her father's note - with the strains of the toy organ. She won his heart, too, a cute kiddie, and the day for her sorely-pressed parent."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, September 28, 1912:

"An old millionaire was extremely fond of children. Years ago his wife and infant daughter had died, and despite his great wealth, he was lonely. One day a young businessman called at his office to ask an extension of time on the note the millionaire held. At first the old man refused, later he promised to 'think it over.' It was a Saturday half-holiday in May, and the old man closed his desk early, and went for a walk in the park. There he ran into a children's May party, and stopped to watch them. One little girl came to him, and made friends immediately. On the following Monday morning the child's father received a letter in which the millionaire had written. In it the father was told that the creditor could not grant any extension of time and that he must pay up what he owed by the following day. The child saw the tears in the eyes of her parents. She picked up the letter which they had dropped on the floor, and took it with her into the park.

"Luckily a hand organ grinder came along about this time, and the problem was solved. Hurriedly she went home; hastily she prepared a sign like that of the organ grinder. It read 'Please Help the Poor [sic].' Then the child took her toy piano, hastened back to the park and prepared to entertain the passing public. She had all of four cents when her 'kind old man' happened along. He had hoped to see her, but was astonished to note her occupation. In response to his question she told him her troubles and confidingly displayed the letter. He read and understood. Then he explained that he would act as her agent, took the pennies and sent a note to the parents explaining that their 'talented daughter's successful concert had supplied funds sufficient to induce him to grant them all the time they wanted to settle the debt.' He was a close-fisted old millionaire, but the child had touched his heart. And the promise he made to look after her he kept."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, October 6, 1912:

"Touching in its simplicity and appealing in its heart interest, this is a play of decided merit. An old millionaire refuses the plea of a young man to extend the time on a note. The letter refusing the plea is found by the little daughter of the young man, who takes it with her to a park, where she decides to earn money to pay the debt. She plays upon her tiny piano, as she had seen an Italian organ grinder earn money, and while playing the millionaire comes along. He questions the child, is shown the letter, and straightway grants the concession. The work of the child is decidedly clever; the acting of the others pleases. Views of a May party add a charm."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 5, 1912:

"Riley Chamberlin as Henry Snaith, rapacious businessman whose heart is softened by the child of one of his creditors, gives his role a splendid character in this very human little play. The film has an added interest in that it presents a colorful May Day celebration in Central Park, adroitly woven into the plot. A story of strong appeal. It will be liked."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, September 25, 1912: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

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