US
It's early autumn and Dr. Headley eagerly demonstrates what seems to be a miraculous cure for tuberculosis. Not far from where he is working, the disease seems preparing to soon claim yet another life, a teenage girl named Winifred. Winifred's mother and little sister Trixie are devastated. When Trixie hears the family doctor say of Winifred that "when the last leaf falls, she will have passed away," she interprets the doctor's words literally. Thinking over what she has heard, she determines to do everything possible to save her sister.
Mar 1912
On a trip to a small village Mr. Jones overhears two separate men showing a picture of his wife and talking about going to see her when they go to the city. He jealously follows them to the depot and then to his house. Once there he ties them up and waits for his wife’s return. Just when everything looks to take a murderous turn in walks their maid, Belinda. Belinda admits it was she who sent pictures of her mistress fearing she herself was too plain to catch a man’s attention. Mr. & Mrs. Jones see the ludicrous side and all is forgiven.
Jun 1913
When Algie Allmore asks to marry Clarice, the young woman's father gives him one year to prove that he's a man.
Feb 1912
An abused young woman finds safety and love in the arms of a famous novelist.
Nov 1916
Charlotte Baker is drugged and taken to a brothel by Paul, her fiance, who in reality is a pimp. To find her, Charlotte's family contacts the celebrated detective Bob Macauley.
Aug 1914
In this story the hero is haunted by a beautiful young woman who tries to stab him to death with a knife. This fantasy recurs on each of his birthdays, becoming more and more real as the years go on. He leaves home to secure a place as groom, but arrives at his destination too late. Forced to retrace his steps, he seeks shelter in a little inn, forgetting that the hour of his birth is approaching. In the middle of the night he awakens, terrified with fright… Based on Wilkie Collins' novel “The Dream Woman”.
Mar 1914
Peggy Wilson has recently become an orphan and a ward of the Waston family. She’s also inherited the late Robert Wilson’s vast fortune, which puts her very much in Mr. Waston’s favor. He would like his son, Frank, to marry Peggy, but Peggy “is not his style” and “her money is no inducement”. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.
Dec 1912
The inimitable Billy Quirk needs a wife in order to inherit his vociferous western uncle's fortune. Billy borrows his friend's wife. After a volcanic and side-splitting series of incidents, the breezy western uncle blows into town tagging with him a pretty stenographer. Well, you leave it to Billy. He gets rid of his borrowed wife in a hurry. And the uncle, what's the use! The story is as funny as a wooden leg would be on the Statue of Liberty.
Based on the opéra comique of the same name, the film follows the exploits of Italian brigand Fra Diavolo.
Jul 1912
The Professor will not allow his daughter to marry a non-musician, but Billy, her would-be suitor, cannot play a single note. When he is about to give up, Billy’s roommate suggests bluffing his way into the Professor’s favor with the aid of a suitably musical disguise and a well-hidden phonograph player.
Oct 1912
Noble born Mignon is stolen by a band of gypsies as a child. Her mother dies from grief and her father, unhinged by the double blow, gives up his ancestral home for the roaming life of a minstrel wandering from place to place in search of his child. Ill-treated by the gypsies in time she is rescued by traveling student Guglielno, with whom she falls in love. But he is enamored by the seductive actress Filina. Events come to a climax at a castle where all the participants meet, and drastic actions lead to near fatal consequences until all is resolved happily.
Alice Guy's version of Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum. This film is partially lost.
Jul 1913
Jan 1913
Old Betsey Older lives in a boarding house in which money-loving Bud Doolittle and wise Tom Dear are also unfortunate boarders. Poor Betsey loses her heart to both of these gentlemen. Betsey tries hard to win the love of these gentlemen, but the harder she tries the less progress she makes. In fact, she gets so tangled up that before long she thinks she "sees things." Bud and Tom try to stake her to each other, for they are both victims of flirting Marian. Tom finally gets Bud to propose to Betsey, misleading him with a phantom legacy. Bud learns the truth of the heiress' real financial position and then leaves her at the altar.
A woman plans to dress her fiancé as a heroic tramp in order to impress her father, but a real tramp intervenes in his place.
Apr 1911
Billy Quirk starts out in the morning for his office. Billy has important papers in his valise (grip) and important matters on his mind. The trouble starts when Billy takes a streetcar and, in his hurry, he grabs not his but a similar valise which happens to belong to a woman with a bad temper. When Billy discovers that his valise, instead of containing valuable papers, contains lingerie and false hair, he panics. Billy tries to get his back before his wife misinterprets the situation, but she finds it just as the rightful owner enters the scene and the two clash, Billy runs for dear life complicating things still more.
Apr 1912
The story involves a man who goes to a gambling den regardless of the protestations of his wife. He is extremely lucky and his luck attracts attention. Strangers become friendly with him and he being a "good feller," "sets up" the crowd. After the night's playing, he is advised by the owner of the den that it would be hazardous for him to attempt going home alone with so much cash on his person. Chance decides to remain over night. He is shown to a room. During the night, he not only finds that he has been trapped, but an attempt is made on his life. (Moving Picture World)
Cobbler’s daughter May has beautiful, long blond hair. Her fiancée Billy, her father's youthful apprentice, loves both May and her hair. But Billy has a weakness for long hair and is ensnared by Madge, who wears an elaborate wig. Billy wants May to fix her hair as prettily as Madge does, but when Madge’s hairdresser demands payment for the wigs she refuses because the hairdresser has turned her hair green. The case lands in court with Billy summoned to serve on the jury. When Madge pulls off her wig Billy runs back to May ready and willing to eat his humble pie.
May 1912
A man must marry by noon or lose his inheritance. It's 11:50 a.m. and he can't find his fiancée.