Only in the Way

Only in the Way

(One reel of approximately 1,000 feet, released January 31, 1911)
Print source: Library of Congress, 12 minutes, 14 seconds.
Cast: Marie Eline (Marie).
Original organ score composed and performed by musician Andrew Crow.

Through most of 1910, the first year of Thanhouser releases, the studio created vehicles around one of its earliest stars, child actress Marie Eline. She was one of the few movie players to receive screen credit in those early days. Her film role previous to this one was Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop.

The dramatic theme of Only in the Way centers on a universal topic, family disharmony. In this film, the parents' treatment of the grandmother affects the little girl who identifies with her grandmother. Thanhouser scenarists seemed to have had a special sensitivity for the feelings of children which is reflected in this film. The sentimental approach was expected in 1911.

Titles are used here in an old-fashioned way, simply to describe what was about to happen in the next scene.