Volume II: Filmography

HIS IMAGINARY FAMILY

(Princess)

December 12, 1913 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,012 feet)

Character: Comedy

Director: Carl Louis Gregory

Assistant director: Claude Seixas

Cameraman: Carl Louis Gregory

Cast: Boyd Marshall (nephew with imaginary family), Muriel Ostriche (hired actress; adopted wife), Marie Eline (newsboy), Arthur Bauer (the uncle)

Notes: 1. This may have been Arthur Bauer's first Thanhouser film appearance. In trade notices for this film, and for many others in ensuing months, his surname was misspelled as "Bower." 2. The plot of this film is curiously similar to that of Uncle's Namesakes, the regular Thanhouser release of the same day.

SYNOPSIS, The Cinema, March 12, 1914:

"He was a bachelor, and has imposed upon his uncle by accepting monthly contributions which he claimed helped to support his wife and child. Now he had got into a fix because the relative had written to say he was going to pay him a visit, and was looking forward to seeing 'the family.' A friend suggested 'hiring a family,' so on going to a theatrical agency he obtained a charming girl to play the part of 'wife.' A little newsboy was glad of the opportunity to be his 'son' during uncle's visit. He hired a furnished flat for the time being, and when the relative arrived everything was arranged so that he had no suspicion things were any different than was presented. At night time they gathered round the fire, and the boy fell asleep in the visitor's arms. They were very much concerned when uncle suggested extending his visit to a month. They began to realise what each had missed in having had no real home life, and, later on, as they watched the boy asleep he suggested making the whole thing a reality, with a clergyman's assistance, and do away with the makeshift. Presently she consented, and as they embrace, uncle's figure is seen in the doorway nodding his head in approval. A very pretty picture, presenting some exceptionally good firelight scenes. (Released April 9th. Length 1,012 feet.)"

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, December 13, 1913:

"Suppose you had led a rich and generous uncle to believe that you are a married man with a wife and child because that uncle was an admirer of family life and very generous with checks to scapegrace's imaginary family, and that you received word that uncle was about to pay you a visit in order to meet the nephew and the child who is supposed to be named after him. Boyd Marshall was in just such a predicament. Years before he had needed money badly, and he had worked on his kindly uncle's sympathy by writing him that he was about to be married and then later on when the same emergency arose that had confronted him before he wrote uncle that he was the father of a bouncing boy whom he had named in honor of said uncle. Uncle was very generous and sent almost monthly remembrances to his imaginary kin. Then Boyd received a letter one day from uncle, stating that he was called to New York on business and would make his headquarters with his nephew and make the acquaintance of the favorite nephew's wife and his young namesake. In the emergency Boyd hires an actress and a newsboy to impersonate his family, and though they succeed in pulling the wool over doting uncle's eyes, you cannot hope but feel when you have seen the picture that it couldn't have turned out in any better way."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, December 6, 1913:

"The nephew had a rich and generous uncle who was a great admirer of family life. Once, when he needed money badly, he had written his uncle that he was about to be married - and the check came. A little later, it was, 'I am the father of a bouncing boy' - and a still bigger check arrived by return mail. Ever since, there had come almost monthly remembrances 'to my grand nephew and namesake' - and now uncle was coming himself to see his dear nephew's family! Boyd had to get busy mighty quick. He got a very charming little actress to come and impersonate his wife - and a clever newsboy to wear corduroy breeches, and sleep in a wonderful room full of games and toys, and revel in all sorts of good things to eat - in short, to impersonate 'the kid.' Uncle was perfectly delighted - and after such a happy experiment, one can only believe that Boyd has hastened to make his 'imaginary family' an actuality."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, December 14, 1913:

"The story of this film is somewhat similar to a Thanhouser film of the same release date. In this film the chief character pretends to have a wife and a little son, and his wealthy uncle sends him checks almost every month. When uncle writes that he is coming for a visit, quick work is necessary. He gets an actress to impersonate his wife, and a little newsboy pretends to be his son. The uncle was taken in by the trick, and what is more, the nephew liked the situation so well that he proceeded to marry the girl and adopt the boy."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, December 20, 1913:

"This is an amplification of an old theme in which the nephew borrows a wife and child in order to deceive his uncle. Muriel Ostriche and Boyd Marshall appear. The story is a pretty one, in spite of its absurdity. The fireside scene was attractive, and of course a genuine love affair results from the deception. A pleasing number."

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