Volume II: Filmography

THE TOUCH OF A LITTLE HAND

Working title: ONE LITTLE TOUCH

(Princess)

October 16, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,016 feet)

Character: Drama

Director: Arthur Ellery

Cast: Riley Chamberlin (pawnbroker), Boyd Marshall (Harry, the pawnbroker's clerk), Mayre Hall (Ruth, the pawnbroker's sweetheart), Marie Rainford (Ruth's mother), Maurice Steuart (Hilda, Ruth's little sister), Kenneth Clarendon, Eldean Steuart, James Dunne

Note: Production of this film began on September 21, 1914 and continued for the next two weeks.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, October 10, 1914:

"The old pawnbroker's one passion in life is the accumulation of money. His clerk, Harry, is in love with Ruth, a factory girl, and when she becomes injured in an accident, the doctor advises a very expensive operation immediately. Ruth's widowed mother takes a necklace, which she has had for many years, to the pawnbroker's shop, hoping thus to secure the money for the operation. But it is discovered that her husband, a worthless man, had long ago sold the real jewels and substituted paste stones in their place. Harry, in despair at the prospect of his sweetheart's danger, makes the necessary loan upon the worthless security. When his employer discovers his act, the young clerk is arrested and imprisoned. His friends plead with the pawnbroker, but to no avail. At last, Ruth's little sister wakens in the tight-fisted old man a sympathetic chord. He pardons his clerk and brings health and happiness to the girl whom Harry loves."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, January 21, 1915:

"A conventional little story of a grasping pawnbroker, whose hard heart is softened by the ingenuous appeal of a dear little child. As a play, it is somewhat lacking in originality, but its weakness in this respect is amply compensated for by the very great skill and charm with which it is handled. That finished character actor, Riley Chamberlin, is particularly good as the hard old Jewish pawnbroker, and everyone else does well, including the pretty baby-heroine of the piece. It is frankly sentimental, but the sentiment is of an always popular nature."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 31, 1914:

"A story of simple elements in which Riley Chamberlin gives a good imitation of a pawnbroker. The little child appeals to him on behalf of the imprisoned clerk who accepted imitation jewels to help the family out. The photography is good and the release quite pleasing."

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