Volume I: Narrative History

 

Chapter 4 (1911): Only in the Way

Poster image courtesy Thanhouser Company Film Preservation, Inc.

 

A print of the next release, Only in the Way, is preserved by the Library of Congress. The present author viewed the film and created the following "modern synopsis." The film's actual subtitles are given in all capitals. Marie Eline, the Thanhouser Kid, took the part of the little child. When this film was projected to an audience of about 400 people at "Thanhouser Night," a presentation given at Iona College in New Rochelle on October 7, 1988, the audience cheered at the ending. One wonders if the 1988 reaction paralleled that of audiences which viewed the subject at the time of its release on January 31, 1911. The film:

 

(Title and part of leader missing)

Marie, a little crippled girl, seated in a chair, plays with a doll in the front yard of her home. Grandma arrives, carrying a basket and large satchel.

 

"I'LL TAKE GRANDMA TO HER ROOM"

Grandma obviously has come to stay for a long time, and in the parlor the wife becomes very upset upon her mother-in-law's arrival. Her husband hugs his mother in what is obviously an awkward situation. Their only child, the little girl, is delighted with grandma's coming and shows her to the room where she will be staying. Grandma makes herself comfortable in her new surroundings, then from a basket takes a kitten and gives it to Marie, who hugs the kitten and grandma with delight.

 

"EITHER YOUR MOTHER OR I MUST LEAVE THIS HOUSE"

Grandma inadvertently knocks a vase of flowers off of a table in the living room, and upon recoiling from her mistake knocks a sewing box to the floor as well. The wife becomes distraught with her mother-in-law's presence and argues with her husband.

 

GRANDMA IS TOLD SHE MUST GO

Grandma is in her room playing with Marie when the wife enters and says that she must go. Grandma, assisted by the limping little girl, gathers her things together. Marie hugs her grandma and then cries. The husband escorts his mother out the front door.

 

AT THE HOME FOR THE AGED

The husband accompanies his mother to the old folks' home and checks her in with an attendant there. Meanwhile, in grandma's former room, the little crippled girl writes a note to her parents:

 

Dear Papa and Mama

Grandma was in the way and I guess so am I. So I am going to stay with her.

Your little girl

Marie

 

With her kitten in one arm and a crutch under the other, little Marie hobbles off to grandma, taking a path along a wall near a brook. She stumbles, and the crutch falls into the stream, out of her reach. Undaunted, Marie limps onward.

 

"I CANNOT FIND OUR DARLING ANY WHERE" (sic)

The parents frantically search their home, but Marie cannot be found. They locate her note and read it.

 

"I'VE COME TO LIVE WITH YOU GRANDMA"

Marie limps with her kitten to the old folks' home, where grandma is resting in a rocker on the front lawn. Grandma rises and greets her and then takes Marie and her kitten into her arms and comforts them in her rocker.

The parents arrive on the scene and are overjoyed to find Marie safe. The wife hugs her mother-in-law, and the husband caresses Marie. The wife then tells the nursing home aide that her mother-in-law will be leaving, and the aide brings grandma's belongings. The wife puts a shawl around her mother-in-law. The parents, mother-in-law, and little Marie leave. (End of story.)

 

Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.